Paul Pierce's torrid scoring explosions have become so routine they are leading to an almost Zen-like calm in the Celtics co-captain's postgame personality.

After dropping 21 third-quarter points on Denver in last night's 95-80 victory at the FleetCenter, a 12-minute shooting display capped off by a 30-foot buzzzer-beater over Nuggets guard Nick Van Exel, Pierce's display of composure suggested that the Celtics forward long ago stopped surprising himself.

Pierce finished with 35 points - without scoring a single point in the final quarter.