BOSTON –– Paul Pierce is known to his fans as The Truth, but his teammates have recently given him a new nickname — Superman.

That’s because twice this week Pierce came to the Celtics’ rescue when they were in big trouble. He scored 22 fourth-quarter points against Toronto (36 total) on Monday to lead the Celts back from a 16-point deficit, and he scored 34 points and fired in the winning shot in a 103-102 triumph over Atlanta on Wednesday night with 0.5 seconds left.

“I love it when Superman goes into the booth and transforms,” Celtics forward Kevin Garnett said of Pierce.

“Superstar, man,” Boston guard Eddie House said of Pierce. “Superstar. I don’t think he plays with any less confidence any other day, so he knows what he’s capable of. Man, he’s got a cape on his back sometimes… It’s been the Paul Pierce Show for the last two games in the fourth quarter. I’m glad he’s on my team.”

“He’s one of the greatest players in this league, and when he’s going like that there aren’t too many people that can stop him,” Boston forward Leon Powe said.

Last night, Pierce and the Celtics took on the Denver Nuggets.

“Paul has always been a tough individual,” Denver guard Carmelo Anthony said. “He’s one of the best players in the league, by far. I respect his game a lot.”

He’s working on it

After leading the Celtics in scoring with 23 points against Detroit last Sunday, Tony Allen scored only a combined two points against Toronto and Atlanta.

He said that he has been working on his jump shot to try to get his stroke back.

“I’ve been working on it a lot,” Allen said. “[It’s] just about timing, me getting that connection going. Every day I get shots off, so right now I’m in a funk, but I work on it every day. I just have to get it going.”

O’Bryant active

The Celtics activated 7-foot center Patrick O’Bryant for last night’s game.

“He’s been working hard in practice, so you reward him,” coach Doc Rivers said.

roblee@projo.com