Minneapolis ? Winning regularly requires consistent effort, a concept the Boston Celtics seem finally to have figured out.

Paul Pierce scored 32 points, including 15 in the third quarter, to lead the Celtics past the Timberwolves, 103-100, Sunday.

“I think we’ve been lackadaisical a lot of times,” said Gary Payton, who added 22 points on 10-for-18 shooting. “A lot of guys have not been playing as hard as they should. And I think now we’re playing together.”

Ricky Davis had 12 points for Boston, which won its third consecutive game and improved to 24-24. That’s the same mark Minnesota has after losing its fifth straight.

“It’s amazing,” Boston coach Doc Rivers said. “We’re at .500 and ecstatic, and the Timberwolves are at .500 and think that the world is crumbling in around them.”

Minnesota had the ball last with a chance to tie, but Sam Cassell’s contested three-pointer from 29 feet at the buzzer came up well short of the rim — allowing the Celtics to raise their road record to 8-16.

The Timberwolves are just 13-12 at home.

“When you lose, you lose some confidence,” coach Flip Saunders said. “That’s why you want to try to sneak one out to get back on the right path.”

After an embarrassing 29-point loss to Phoenix on Wednesday night, Minnesota has been a lot better in its last two games — including an overtime defeat to Houston on Friday night.

Boston forward Paul Pierce, left, is fouled by Minnesota's Wally Szczerbiak during the third quarter of the Celtics' 103-100 victory. Pierce, a Kansas University product, had a game-high 32 points in the Celts' victory Sunday in Minneapolis.

But that’s no consolation for a team that was supposed to be one of the best in the Western Conference and began the day 11/2 games behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the final playoff spot.

“We’ve been more competitive, but we’re definitely not satisfied,” Saunders said.

Kevin Garnett had 21 points and 13 rebounds for Minnesota.

Rockets 103, Lakers 102

Houston — Yao Ming scored 23 points, including the winning free throws with 15.2 seconds left, to lead Houston. Tracy McGrady had 21 points, and Bob Sura had 19 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and five steals for the Rockets, who have won four straight and eight of their last 10. Los Angeles forward Brian Cook missed a potential game-winning three-pointer with 2.9 seconds to play, and the Lakers fumbled away the ensuing rebound as the clock expired.

76ers 106, Clippers 104

Philadelphia — Allen Iverson scored 28 points, including the winning free throws with 1:01 to play. The Sixers completed a 3-1 homestand and moved within one game of .500 overall (23-24). Kyle Korver had 16 points, Andre Iguodala added 15, and Corliss Williamson and Kenny Thomas each scored 14 for the Sixers. Bobby Simmons led the Clippers with 27 points, while Elton Brand had 21 and Chris Kaman 18.

Mavericks 122, Raptors 113

Toronto — Dirk Nowitzki had 30 points, helping Dallas outlast Toronto. Dallas led by as many as 25 points in the third quarter, but the Raptors cut it to four before Jason Terry’s three-pointer gave the Mavericks a seven-point lead with 36 seconds left. Michael Finley added 23 points for the Mavericks, who shot a season-high 60 percent from the field.