Paul Pierce felt good enough after practice yesterday to joke about his injured right leg. He strained a muscle in the back of the leg during Game 3, but he will be ready to go tonight in Game 4.

''It's a little sore, but it's all right,'' said Pierce. ''I might have to wear a brace on my whole leg, but we'll see.''

He was just kidding about the brace. After observing Pierce in practice, coach Jim O'Brien said, ''He had a great practice, looked really sharp. He's fine.'' Antoine Walker seconded O'Brien's opinion and praised the toughness of his teammate, who has taken a beating throughout the playoffs.