10:08- Pierce throws it down! Second contested dunk of the night. Looks like the knee is feeling better.
10:09- The threes are keeping Miami in this game, as Lebron hits another. 7-15 from downtown so far.
10:10- Uh oh. Another three for Lebron.
10:12- Wade scores off of an offensive rebound. The Celtics are +9 on the boards, but they've given up too many offensive rebounds and the Heat continue to cash in on second chance opportunities.
10:14- Wow. Terrible turnover by Pierce after a good defensive sequence, again, allowing Miami to stay in this game.
10:15- Ray!! Lead back to seven. On another note, the Celtics need to slow the pace of the game down. The Heat have successfully upped the tempo so far, which favors them heavily. Heat will go ahead if this continues.
10:19- This game is far too close for comfort right now. If Wade and/or James get hot, then the Celtics are in big trouble.
10:23- Wade with an incredible block on Ray Allen. Chalmers converts a reverse layup for a four point swing in Miami's favor. Celtics lead at three.
10:25- Wade with an easy breakaway. Lead down to one. The pink hat fans in Miami roar as the scoreboard tells them to cheer. I am now legitimately scared. Good timeout by Doc. Celtics NEED to slow the pace of the game down.
10:29- The bucket and one for Haslem. Again, wayyyyyyyyyy too easy. Celtics are reverting to their game one form.
10:30- Haslem to the line again. Danger time for the Celtics. Not only are they now trailing, but the Heat are threatening to break this thing wide open.
10:33- Block by Lebron leads to an and-one for Wade on a run-out. Eleven straight points for Miami. I need a drink.
10:35- NEED TO REBOUND!
10:36- I sound like a broken record. NEED TO FUCKING REBOUND!
10:37- So we head to the fourth after Miami put on an absolute clinic on both ends of the floor in the third. This is the series right here. Do the Celtics have any fight left in them?
10:43- Technical foul on Garnett for a shove after Jones smacks him in the face. Seriously? I think referees are robots and don't know what it's like to have emotions.
10:49- The Celtics offense has gotten completely out of rhythm. Van Gundy is right, Rondo needs to be aggressive like he was in the first half. I wish screaming at my TV would actually make a difference.
10:53- Pietrus with a BIG 3!
10:54- Rondo with a great steal and layup on the other end. 9-1 run and just like that the Celtics are back up by a point.
10:57- Boston's very own "Sports guy" Bill Simmons via Twitter.
"Such a Rondonian game. It's like the 1st half never happened. Why did he stop going to the hoop? Can't remember rooting for a bigger enigma."I couldn't agree more, and considering I'm copying his "running diary" format, I gotta pay homage.
11:01- Offense starting to get back in rhythm. Keep the ball moving and get to the free throw line. 90-87 Celtics with five and a half to go.
11:03- The Celtics have successfully slowed the tempo of the game.
11:05- Complete mental lapse on defense by the Celtics there. Free-free throws for Lebron.
11:06- Ahhhh Ray! That missed three was like a kick in the balls.
11:07- Nervous would be an understatement for how I feel right now.
11:10- Of all people. Shane Battier hits a three to tie it. Ray misses a jumper on the other end.
11:12- Pietrus with another bone-headed play to put Lebron on the free throw line. 96-94 Heat. The Celtics have played so well through the first 10 minutes of the fourth. This would be crushing to lose it in the final two minutes.
11:15- A long three by Pierce at the end of the shot-clock goes in and out! Damnit. Is that the way this series is gonna go? On the other end Haslem hits a mid range jumper. Heat by four. On a team with Lebron and Wade, nothing is more frustrating when guys like Battier and Haslem hit big shots.
11:17- Great play drawn up by Doc out of the timeout as Garnett catches a lob.
11:18- Needed a good defensive series, but Rondo lets Wade go right by him as Pierce fouls out. Pierce has become so good at taking charges over the last couple years. He was in position to take that charge, but left his feet. Questionable defensive plays by the Celtics in this one.
11:21- Jesus Shuttlesworth! Good ball movement leads to a wide-open three and Ray delivers. Tie Game.
11:23- I wish I could just crawl into a hole right now. I have a terrible feeling this possession for Miami will end in either a bucket or two free throw attempts.
11:24- Oh. My. God. Lebron misses a layup, gets the offensive rebound, and misses a jumper at the buzzer. I don't think I took a breath in those last 20 seconds. Overtime. Cue the "Lechoke", Lebron isn't clutch commentators.
11:27- The x-factor in OT: No Pierce.
11:28- Lebron isn't doing anything to help his cause as he misses both free throws.
11:31- Rondo having the offensive game of his life as he nails a three. I agree though, it did look like his foot was on the line. And on que, it is reviewed and changed to a two. All tied at 103. I think I have an ulcer, from this game, or from what I drank because of this game.
11:34- Rondo with the biggest free throws of his life. 105-103.
11:36- Wow. Replay shows Rondo getting wacked in the face. Should've been two free throws. Instead Miami gets a 5 on 4. A four point swing right there. If the Heat win, this sequence could be a big story tomorrow folks.
11:38- The one thing you can't do is turn the ball over, which of course, the Celtics promptly do.
11:40- And Wade with the and-one on what clearly should've been an offensive foul. You can't use the leg to create space! There's two huge calls that have both wrongly gone in favor of the Heat. It is ridiculous how superstars in this league get such preferential treatment. Rondo gets smacked in the face, no call. Wade uses his leg to create space and of course gets the 50-50 call . You absolutely can't miss that call on Rondo. That would have potentially been two free throws and a two point lead for the Celtics with time to set-up their halfcourt defense, and prevent that fastbreak dunk in a 5 on 4. That four point swing completely altered the game and in unacceptable in a professional sport. When is the league going to answer for this? How many people need to complain to make them realize that something needs to be done? Make the referees go on the microphones at the podium after the game. Let the reporters grill them like they question players involving mistakes they made on the court. David Stern is on his high-horse and is ruining the integrity of this game.
11:44- When it looked like it was all over, Rondo hits back to back threes and makes it a three point game. 44 points for Rondo and 53 minutes played. What a performance.
11:46- Final 115-111 Heat. An absolutely crushing loss for the Celtics. 1-1 going back home would've completely changed the complexion of this series. Instead, it's 2-0, and an exhausted Celtics team has to find a way to give another valiant effort in a must-win game 3. But for now, this one hurts. Can't fault Rondo though, he played the game of his life. Unfortunately, the end result is a loss, due in large part to the third quarter in which the defense allowed Miami to shoot almost 60% from the field.
11:50- Real talk though, how important would Avery Bradley have been in this game, and in this series. Although Dwayne Wade will get his 20+ a night against any defender, Bradley has the size, quickness, and athleticism to guard him better than anyone can in the league today. He has the ability to force tough shots, taking a scorer like Wade out of rhythm. And in any pick-and-roll switch, Avery could hold his own against Lebron. It's really frustrating to think about how good the Celtics could be if Bradley didn't get hurt, and even if Jeff Green and Chris Wilcox didn't go down to freak heart ailments. I guess sports truly is about "what ifs".
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