Paul Pierce will try to defend three-point title

Reporting from Boston — The Boston Celtics won a championship last season and now have a chance to defend it … in a manner of speaking.

Celtics forward Paul Pierce is one of six players who will take part in the All-Star three-point contest Feb. 19 at Staples Center, the NBA announced Tuesday.

Pierce, who beat Golden State guard Stephen Curry last season in the contest, will be challenged this year by the Warriors’ Dorell Wright, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, Cleveland’s Daniel Gibson, Miami’s James Jones and Celtics teammate Ray Allen.

Wright led the NBA with 124 three-pointers coming into Tuesday, though Allen was close behind with 115. Allen has the best three-point accuracy (46.2%) of any participant this season.

Pierce has made the fewest three-pointers (73) of any of the players and has the second-lowest percentage from long distance (40.1%). Durant is shooting 34.7% from long range this season.

The competition will feature two rounds, with three players eliminated after the first round. There will be five shooting stations around the arc, with four balls at each station, including one double-value “money ball.”

Pierce, Allen and Durant will also play in the All-Star game on Feb. 20 at Staples Center.

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