POST GAME MIAMI GAME #4

HAD IT ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rondo is now the Celtics leader...by a wide margin....hope they give him the title of captain soon!!!!!!!

Great game by Ray Allen - 16 pts - 4 from 3 point range!!!!!!!!!!! Solid game by Pierce (23pts - 6 RB's) but I wish he would manage his fouls better. Loved Dooling's ball pressure and kicked in 10 pts - 3/4 from beyond the arch!!!!!!!
Some great rebounding by Pietrus at the end.....clearly making up for his 2 fouls that almost game Miami the win....we forgive and forget MP!!!!!! Another great game by KG 17 pts - 14 RB's!!!!!!

SO PROUD OF OUR BOY'S .........PROUD TO BE A CELTIC FAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I JUST KNEW RED WAS LIGHTING ONE UP AND SMILING DOWN ON THE COURT!!!!!!!!!!!!! RED..JUST GIVE US 2 MORE WINS...PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


NEXT GAME - TUESDAY @ MIAMI - 8:30PM ESPN

POST GAME RECAP

WEEI 850

FAST BREAK: C’S HANG ON IN OVERTIME THRILLER, SERIES WITH HEAT TIED 2-2
By Ryan Hadfield

The Celtics grabbed an 18-point first half lead, but the Heat came storming back in the second half to force an overtime thriller in Game 4. The Celtics were able to prevail, 93-91, evening up the series at two games apiece, despite being without Paul Pierce, who fouled out within the first minute of the extra frame. LeBron James also fouled out in overtime, but not before scoring a team-high 29 points (12-of-25 shooting). For the Celtics Pierce scored 23 points and Rajon Rondo added 15 points and 15 assists. Dwyane Wade had a chance to win the game for the Heat but missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Rondo’d: The frenetic Garden crowd was pining for a fast start, and the Celtics point guard obliged. In the first quarter alone, Rondo had eight points and four assists. Oh, yeah, and he had six more dimes in the second quarter. Rondo got into the lane at will — even making a jab at the Heat complaining to the refs in transition to ESPN at halftime — and either took what Miami gave him by converting lay ups, or dished it out to open wing players for 3-pointers. He was the catalyst Boston needed to open up an early double-digit lead.

The Rest: Rondo can put his cape on, summon his Bob Cousy/Magic Johnson/Pete Maravich vision, and set players up all he wants, but unless the Celts are knocking down jumpers, it’s all for naught. Sunday night, Boston’s entire team was on point, shooting nearly 50% from the field in the first half. And despite the scare, the C’s early 21-6 lead proved to be insurmountable … but how?

Well, the C’s started 6-of-9 from 3-point territory. In the first half, every time the Heat sniffed at a single-digit deficit, Pierce answered the bell with a series of old-fashioned three-point plays. Ray Allen continued to rediscover his touch (starting 5-of-11 from the field). Keyon Dooling hit a few 3-pointers in transition. And although Kevin Garnett wasn’t as aggressive in the early-going, he recorded his 12th double-double of the postseason. It wasn’t until the third quarter that Miami was able to make its move, cutting the deficit to five (but expending a ton of energy in the process).

WHAT WENT WRONG

The Lull and the consequences: As good as the C’s 61-point first half was, their second half was anemic. They hit five of 16 field goal attempts (31 percent) in the third quarter. In fact, Boston had only 13 points in the first 15 minutes of action in the second half as the Heat went on a 27-13 run to tie the game at 74 with just under nine minutes left in the game. In short, the Celtics had their foot on Miami’s throat and failed to press down, letting the Heat all the way back in what would be a dog fight the rest of the way.

Cautiously optimistic: The Heat floated around 50% shooting for the better part of the night. The C’s rotations were crisp enough, but Miami was able to torch Boston. Going into the fourth quarter, the Heat — who vowed to attack the basket more in Game 4 — outscored Boston 38-26 in points in the paint.

If it weren’t for the goodwill built up from a tremendous performance of the first half and a few timely possessions offensively from the C’s, the Heat could (and probably would) have won Game 4 in regulation. And, going forward, the Celtics have to be tougher defensively while traveling back down to South Beach (Read: More of the same “D” played on James forcing a bad shot from Udonis Haslem during the last possession of regulation.)

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ESPNBOSTON.COM

Rapid Reaction: C's 93, Heat 91 (OT, Gm 4)

By Chris Forsberg | ESPNBoston.com


BOSTON -- Rapid reaction after the Boston Celtics defeated the Miami Heat 93-91 in overtime Sunday night in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals at TD Garden. (The series is tied at 2).

HOW THE GAME WAS WON
Rajon Rondo fueled Boston with 15 points, 15 assists and 5 rebounds over 47 minutes, while Kevin Garnett chipped in 17 points and 14 rebounds. Despite fouling out early in overtime, Paul Pierce scored a team-high 23 points on 8-of-18 shooting. LeBron James scored a game-high 29 points for Miami, while Dwyane Wade kicked in 20 points (but misfired with a chance to win it in overtime).

TURNING POINT
Overtime didn't feature much in the way of offense, so any scoring proved pivotal. A Udonis Haslem dunk (off a Wade feed) gave Miami the early edge, but Marquis Daniels made a free throw and Rondo hit a little floater for a 92-91 edge. The Celtics had numerous opportunities to extend their lead, but the best they could do was Rondo hitting 1 of 2 free throws with 21.4 seconds to go to make it a two-point cushion. That was enough. Wade got a final chance to win it, but his 3-pointer from the top of the arc rattled out.

BOLD PLAY OF THE GAME
Mickael Pietrus struggled from the floor (0 for 3, 0 points) and he had some head-slapping fouls at times, but he came up with some clutch plays in the extra session. Not only did he draw the offensive foul that ended James' night, but he hauled in two offensive rebounds with around a minute to play. Boston didn't score off of them, but did take time off the clock that prevented Miami from having a chance to rally ahead.

FIRST QUARTER: CELTICS COME FLYING OUT OF THE GATES
Rondo came out in attack mode, generating a pair of early buckets as the Celtics scored the game's first six points (and got the crowd into it). Pierce and Allen made back-to-back 3-pointers, forcing Miami to call timeout down 10 just five minutes in, but the barrage continued with a pair of Garnett buckets to put Boston out front 18-4 with 5:52 to play in the frame. The Celtics shot 59.1 percent overall (13 of 22) and owned a 34-23 advantage after one frame.

SECOND QUARTER: RONDO TECH AS C'S STALL LATE
Rondo put together a brilliant first half, chipping in 8 points, 10 assists, and 4 rebounds (all while not turning the ball over). About his only misstep: A charge that negated a potential three-point play late in the half. Rondo then picked up a technical foul for kicking at Shane Battier after the play while the two were on the ground. Boston's lead had been as high as 18, but Boston went quiet late. Even still, Rondo got a not-so-subtle jab in at the Heat at halftime (you can get away with that when your team is up 61-47).

THIRD QUARTER: EYESORE FOR THE CELTICS
Everything good that the Celtics did in the first half completely disappeared in the third quarter. Boston mustered a mere 12 points on 5-of-16 shooting and watched its lead get trimmed to five (73-68). Along the way, Dwyane Wade got hot (4 of 6, 9 points in the frame) and you could tell things were about to get even closer in the fourth frame.

FOURTH QUARTER: JAMES 3-POINTER FORCES OT
Boston missed its first five shots and a James layup with 8:53 to play tied the game at 74 (Norris Cole gave the Heat its first lead soon after). A James 3-pointer tied the game at 89 with 37 seconds to play and both teams wasted their final possessions. Garnett got called for an offensive foul for hooking James as Rondo drove to the bucket. Then, with a chance to win it, the Celtics blew up an isolation look for James, forcing him to kick it to Udonis Haslem, who wasn't even close with a desperation jumper.

OVERTIME: PIERCE, JAMES FOUL OUT
Pierce picked up his sixth foul a mere 38 seconds into overtime, leaving Boston without its captain for the extra session. That put Marquis Daniels and Pietrus together on the floor in a crunch-time lineup. Things evened up a bit when Pietrus drew the offensive foul on James, who fouled out with 1:51 to play and the Celtics up 92-91. The Heat didn't score again.

CELEBRITIES! (OR JUST PATRIOTS, REALLY)
The Celtics put up a video montage during a second-quarter timeout showcasing a handful of New England Patriots in attendance, including coach Bill Belichick, (freshly head-shaven) Rob Gronkowski, Wes Welker, Jerod Mayo, Vince Wilfork and Kevin Faulk. Gronkowski must have filmed a crowd pump-up video at the game and it aired midway through the fourth quarter (and he got even more video board time in the extra session).

WHAT IT MEANS
If we're being honest, it should have been a whole lot easier for Boston. The Celtics' offense was nothing short of spectacular for much of the first half, then disappeared for about the final 32 minutes of play. Alas, a win is a win is a win and this series is tied at 2. It's now a best-of-3 as the series shifts back to South Beach. Boston needs to play crisper ball if it wants to win on the road, where two of those three final games will take place if it goes the duration.

112288 - Ray was 4 for 11 on three pointers, not 4 for 4. What a win, huh?.

Thanks Steve,

I was so excited and rushing and just wanted to say 4 from 3 pts land. Thanks for the catch.

This team is just incredible! They never, ever give up!!!!! Just so proud of them!

I was jogging today through my neighborhood wearing my Celtic Sweat Shirt and I had 10 car honk and yell go Celtics...It was very up lifting to have New Yorkers rooting for the Green!!!!!!

112288

112288 wrote:Thanks Steve,

I was so excited and rushing and just wanted to say 4 from 3 pts land. Thanks for the catch.

This team is just incredible! They never, ever give up!!!!! Just so proud of them!

I was jogging today through my neighborhood wearing my Celtic Sweat Shirt and I had 10 car honk and yell go Celtics...It was very up lifting to have New Yorkers rooting for the Green!!!!!!

112288

By the way, LeBum is 5 for 13 on free throws the past two games. Let me repeat: 5 for 13. You don't need a calculator to know that's 38%. From the FREE THROW LINE. Think he tightens up a bit? How tight do you think they'll be in Game 5 when basically their season is at stake? I can't wait.

I cannot wait for ACT #5 -

THE "I CHOKE AT HOME" SCENE -

STARING THE MIAMI HEAT -

IN A DAVID STERN PRODUCTION....

HOW NOT TO EXCEED IN THE NBA WITH SUPER STARS TRYING!

112288

112288 wrote:Thanks Steve,

I was so excited and rushing and just wanted to say 4 from 3 pts land. Thanks for the catch.

This team is just incredible! They never, ever give up!!!!! Just so proud of them!

I was jogging today through my neighborhood wearing my Celtic Sweat Shirt and I had 10 car honk and yell go Celtics...It was very up lifting to have New Yorkers rooting for the Green!!!!!!

112288

I've found the same thing NYers want us to win, everyone hates the Heat, we are whats right about the game, they are a bunch of whiney thugs that think their entitled.

Hi,
Yes, what a game!
But it was a game of 2 halves. Thankfully, Celtics managed to contain Heat and finish them in OT, or rather squeezed by by 2 points.
BTW, here's an interesting trend. Third game in a row there's almost the same scenario: Celtics have their way with Heat at the beginning and then let them go and struggle at the end. I'm not sure why it's happening. My guess is that Celtics core is old (sans RR, obviously) and banged and is unable to sustain high intensity at both ends of the floor. This brings a thought: can you imagine the outcome of this series if KG, PP and RA were at least 1-2 years younger and healthy. Another thought that comes to my mind is what a mirage the "new big 2.5 on the South Beach" is.

A few other observations from the game. I didn't like that RR had to prod PP to run to the hoop (followed by an angry pass and layup). RA seems to get adjusted to his spurs and is much better shooting jumpers. RR is the great floor general and Heat doesn't have anyone to stop him nor a clue how to do that. Even announcers call Chalmers a flopper. We witnessed a historical moment: LJ got fouled out - first time in 4 years. Speaking of which. Regardless of his habit to choke you can't leave him wide open during the critical moments of the game.

Now back to the South Beach. Which brings a sad thought. This whole series could be decided by the refs instead of the players. So far, it seems logical: after the first 2 games that brought nation-wide outrage about officiating, the second 2 games were more or less even in that regard. Are they (league/refs) going to stay back and let the players play or, are they going to step back on the path to WWF?

In any case, I'm proud of our team and wish them to win all the way to #18. And no matter how this runs ends, Celtics showed us what the heart of a champion is.

AK

Refs let Haslem tackle/bullrush Pierce on rebound, why no T? we need someone like Bass to flatten Wade. Hope next year we can get an enforcer.

I don't know how the rest of this series will play out. However, the Celts have reflected a championship pedigree for sure. I am concerned with the trapping of Rondo particularly in the second half of game 4. This seemed to really bog down the offensive flow. Hopefully Doc can come up with some answers to this problem. The Heat will get at least some lift, if only psychologial from Bosh's return. Also, Docwas right much of the lead in the first half last night was as a result of excellent 3 point shooting and that proves it is a make or miss league. Good thing Wade misfired on that last shot. The more points we can get in the paint the more reliable our offensive scheme will be. Of course, we can't count on James EVER fouling out again in this series.


MD!

What I wouldn't give for an easy one. I hate giving our opponents victories, even if they are only moral ones. We came damn close to a skeleton-rattling choke. Oh well, horseshoes and hand grenades, horseshoes and hand grenades.

A 61 point half? Wow. A 32 point second half plus OT? Yuck. We dodged a bullet.

There was a Bostonian in the bar I was in. He kept telling me to "Sit down and relax, Bobby, sit down and relax! We got this one in the bag!". He kept saying that after our 18 point lead evaporated and we were down by 2. Admirable loyalty and spirit by him. I would have been more likely to listen to him if he hadn't been completely snockered and saying "Who is Mr. Triple Double? Who is Mr. Triple Double?" again and again. I'd say he had too many triple doubles himself except that we were in a beer and rotgut wine pub and not a bar that served shots. For the record, I only seem to be able to sit down when they are shooting free throws. I can't even sit still during our free throws. I go outside for fresh air and more pacing room during commercials and halftime.

I make a point of reading 112288's opinions in his opening post, but I don't usually read 112288's re-posts of Chris Forsberg etal before I write my post, since I want to say what I think and not just regurgitate what they think. This time I did read them first and I agree with just about all of it.

1. Pietrus had some real forehead-slapping moments, as pointed out, but those two offensive rebounds were immense. I don't think we scored on those possessions but they ate clock and that was almost as good. He also played very versatile defense on Wade and LBJ. This is what I saw when he was with GSW. He'd do some of the most bone-headed brain-dead stuff you've ever seen, and then he'd do some things that made you appreciate his size, strength and athleticism.

2. I thought the reffing was pretty decent, all in all. Some bad calls, of course, it's a tough sport to ref, but not many "Are you kidding me!?" fouls. When questionable calls were made there were makeup calls at the other end. I believe this is the first time I have ever seen Shane Battier take a dive. The 6th foul on Pierce was a flop.

3. I started getting scared when Wade started calling for the ball in the 2nd half. You could see the game was slowing down for him. That's the way it is with the great ones (e.g. MJ, Kobe, Pierce, Bird). When they enter that "zone" they don't speed up, the game slows down. A smooth move to where they want to be, a little headfake to create some separation and then the effortless shot like they were alone in a gym. Unlike LBJ, whose head you can screw with by fouling him hard, you can't screw with Wade's head. His is MUCH stronger than James'. LBJ is the one that drives the team for most of the game, racking up big numbers doing it, but Wade is The Closer and the difference is all mental.

4. Doc went for the win again by playing his starters long minutes. What choice did he have, down 2-1 and heading back to South Beach? Only Bass didn't play >40 minutes. On the other hand, LBJ played 48 out of a possible total 53 and Wade played 51.

So much for those idiot pundits that said "Heat in 5". If it hadn't been for the refs in game 2 it might even be "Celtics in 6".

Better luck next time, Joe



Note: the resemblance.


bob


.

I'd like to make an addition to my above post.

Joe Crawford was the ref who called the 6th foul on LBJ.

Maybe I should delete the pictures of him and the Grinch, but there really is a resemblance.

bob

.

bobheckler wrote:I'd like to make an addition to my above post.

Joe Crawford was the ref who called the 6th foul on LBJ.

Maybe I should delete the pictures of him and the Grinch, but there really is a resemblance.

bob

.

Bob,
You should keep it. I believe he was ordered or otherwise influenced to officiate fairly.
My goodness, what a sad state of affairs the NBA has become if it's true.

AK

Cowen,

I said the same thing to my self during the weekend. We need some SOB with an attitude to say NOT MY TEAMMATES!

We really need an enforcer who can mix it up when the going gets tough. Too many times teams take the liberty to try to rough up our players with some thug basketball.....we need to do the same. Cowans was that type of player!

112288

Bill Kennedy did his best to keep the Heat in the game down the stretch and overall, Joey Crawford is an idiot....but is the ONLY ref who has the guts to call a 6th foul on the King.

For those who are looking for an "easy" win - that isnt going to happen. Has rarely happened all season...no reason to expect it to happen now.

I say the Heat must be reeling today. They should have lost game 2 - and as Bob said, it really should be Boston 3-1 right now.

D Wade is a pompous ass - LOVED watching him fail time and time again last night. Couldnt have happened to a nicer guy.

I think the Cetlics grab this next game and close it out on Boston in game 6. But no matter what happens - they have more heart than any team in the NBA. Can you imagine if the Heat faced KG, Pierce, and Ray IN THEIR PRIMES - they would have destroyed the Heat.

Go Celtics.

cowens/oldschool wrote:Refs let Haslem tackle/bullrush Pierce on rebound, why no T? we need someone like Bass to flatten Wade. Hope next year we can get an enforcer.

Haslem's foul against Pierce was in the middle of a play.
He didn't bullrush him.

Hard to fathom PP fouling out for the third time in the playoffs.

Great 1st half by Boston and then the all too common letdown in the 2nd half.

The thing is that Boston did not seem to be phased at all. Interesting. Thought the two identical offensive rebounds by Pietrus were the difference maker.

Rajon pushed at a high level in first half but did not attack in the second...until he had to.

Biggest lift for Boston last two games is Ray Allen finding his range.

Last year we were down 3-1..this year the Celts have willed their way to a best of three series to get back to the championship round.

Game 5 will be total war.

Dboss

Mad props to Rajon in the post game press conference for showing DAP to the contributions of one James Posey & PJ Brown to the championship in '07-'08.

TJ: Haslem didn't bullrush Pierce, he bum rushed him.

MD!

Rondo calls out the Heat, calls them "crybabies".

Love it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d53xU7LLKtw&feature=player_embedded


bob

.

Colin Cowherd is an idiot. This morning he went on and on about how the Heat would have this thing all done if Bosh had been playing. What about Avery Bradley, Jeff Green, and Chris Wilcox? He also said that last year the Heat beat the Celtics easily- without mentioning that Rondo was playing with one arm. What a true moron when it comes to watching the Heat vs. the Celts.

Loved LeBron's postgame interview,when they asked him about fouling out:

"I don't foul out"....repeated it a couple of times

King what???

Rosa..found that amusing too.

I think what he meant was I don't foul out...because I don't get called for fouls.

Worcester:

Colin Cowturd is a moron and has his head up Kobe's a$$ and anyone else with any media rep. that's not Boston. He's self-centered and egotistical. If his car's gas tank was as full of petrol as he is of himself he could get a hundred miles to the gallon. Cowturd gives me more gas that chilli (not TLC Chilli-Rozonda Thomas) and a burrito at midnight from Taco Bell.

MD!

RosalieTCeltics wrote:Loved LeBron's postgame interview,when they asked him about fouling out:

"I don't foul out"....repeated it a couple of times

King what???

Rosalie,

Did he really say "I don't foul out"?

Talk about living in denial.

bob

.

Rosalie:

That was King Nothing's way of criticizing the zebras without getting fined by the league. Although they love him so much they probably would ignore a blatant attack on the officiating for fouling him out. At least we know now that Joey Crawford's got a set of onions.

MD!

I'll bet almost all the state of Ohio is cheering for the Celtics.

MD!