Celtics at Heat
THE STORY: Just when it looked like the Boston Celtics were ready to make this a series, the Miami Heat proved they had the extra gear needed for playoff success. The Heat refused to give in to the hostile TD Garden crowd on Monday and leaned on their stars to steal an overtime victory in Game 4. The Celtics were outmuscled in the final minutes, leaving them in a 3-1 hole in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals. Miami will be looking to close out the series when it hosts Game 5 on Wednesday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE HEAT: After getting run off the court in Game 3, it looked as though Miami was about to hand control of the series back to the Celtics. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh combined for a season-low 44 points in that loss as Boston seemed to figure out how to slow the transition attack. But Game 4 was back to business as usual, with the “Big Three” combining for 83 points. When the Celtics took a lead in the final minutes, James was quick to respond with a 3-pointer and traded layups with Paul Pierce to force overtime. The “Big Three” took over in the extra period, combining for all 12 points as Miami stole the 98-90 triumph. James led the way with 35 points and 14 rebounds, Wade added 28 and nine and Bosh chipped in 20 and 12.
ABOUT THE CELTICS: Boston managed a total of five field goals in the fourth quarter and was limited to one while turning the ball over four times in the overtime. Kevin Garnett, who dominated Game 3 with 28 points and 18 rebounds, was held to seven points on 1-of-10 shooting and 10 boards on Monday. Rajon Rondo fought through his dislocated left elbow to play 38 minutes in Game 4 but recorded only 10 points and five assists while turning the ball over three times. Rondo made many of his passes one-handed, leaving them just off enough that the Miami defense could tip the ball or the Celtics’ scorers had to adjust to catch it. Paul Pierce was the bright spot, scoring 27 points, but he missed a chance to win it in regualtion went his off-balance fadeaway jumper clanged off the rim.
WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: After shooting 13 of 24 from the free throw line in the first three games, James went 9-of-9 from the stripe in Game 4. Pierce has scored 27 points in each of the last two games for Boston, shooting 19-of-40 combined.
KEY STATISTIC: Rebounding. The Heat dominated the glass in Game 4, outrebounding the Celtics 45-28. Boston managed only three offensive boards.
LAST WORD: “Wednesday night will be our greatest challenge that we’ve had with this group so far,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We’ll get their best game on Wednesday and we have to be better. If we’re real about what we want to do, we have to beat the Boston Celtics at their best.”