Pierce scores 22 as Celtics improve to 4-0 without Rondo, beat Clippers 106-104

Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce, left, collides with Los Angeles Clippers forward Lamar Odom, right, while passing the ball in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at the TD Garden in Boston, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (The Associated Press)

Los Angeles Clippers forward Lamar Odom, center, drives toward the basket while under pressure from Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett (5), left, and guard Leandro Barbosa, right, in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game at the TD Garden in Boston, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (The Associated Press)

BOSTON – Paul Pierce scored 22 points and the Boston Celtics held off a late comeback to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 106-104 on Sunday and improve to 4-0 since losing Rajon Rondo for the season.

The Clippers had cut a five-point deficit to 103-101 on a 3-pointer by Eric Bledsoe with 56 seconds remaining. But Avery Bradley drew an offensive foul on Los Angeles' Jamal Crawford with 26 seconds to go, and Pierce held on to the ball before making a 3-pointer with 2.5 second left to clinch the win.

The teams played without the point guards voted starters in the All-Star game in Houston on Feb. 17 — the Clippers' Chris Paul and Rondo.