Philadelphia ? The Boston Celtics took control of the Atlantic Division.

Paul Pierce scored 27 points, including the go-ahead basket in the final minute, and the Celtics moved closer toward clinching the division title with a 105-98 victory over second-place Philadelphia on Tuesday night.

Allen Iverson scored 28 points, and Kyle Korver added 17 for the 76ers, who fell three games behind Boston with five games remaining.

“This was the biggest game to date,” said Pierce, who had 13 rebounds. “We had a lot on the line. We’re our own worst enemy right now. It’s in our hands to take.”

Philadelphia holds the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, one game behind Cleveland and one game ahead of New Jersey.

“It’s about as disappointing as it gets,” Iverson said.

Antoine Walker had 18 points, and Ricky Davis scored 16 for Boston, which saw a 51/2-game lead in the division slip to two.

Clippers 94, Jazz 85

Los Angeles — Elton Brand had 25 points and 10 rebounds, leading Los Angeles. Marko Jaric added 20 points for the Clippers, who beat Utah for only the fifth time in the last 27 meetings.

Suns 99, Hornets 85

Phoenix — Amare Stoudemire scored 27 points, including making 15 of 16 free throws, and Phoenix defeated New Orleans. Jim Jackson was 6-of-7 from three-point range.

Spurs 95, Trail Blazers 89

San Antonio — Manu Ginobili scored 30 points in 34 minutes, and Nazr Mohammed added 14 rebounds — 12 in the first half — as San Antonio clinched the Southwest Division title.

Raptors 105, Knicks 93

New York — Rafer Alston banked in a three-pointer to start a 13-0 run midway through the fourth quarter, and Toronto sent New York to its 10th loss in 11 games.