Francona Wins Big in Return to Fenway

Connelly’s Top Ten: Rask Falls on Face

Bruins Lose 4-3 in OT as Rangers Fight to Stay Alive

For the Bulletin Board: Lundqvist’s “Lucky Bounces,” Savard’s “#ByeByeTorts”

Heat Torch Boston’s Attempt At a Sweep

It looked like it would be a happy ending after a horrendous start, but the sweep was not to be, as the Celtics finally fell to Miami, 101-92. It was not a good start, as Quentin Richardson hit two threes for Miami, Rondo traveled, Garnett goaltended, and Pierce threw it away. Just 3:56 in, the Heat had a double-digit lead. The Celtics got the deficit down to 17-14, but the Heat scored 14 straight points, holding Boston scoreless for 4:02. By the end of the 1st quarter, Boston was trailing 31-18, having racked up more turnovers (nine) than field goals (seven).

Boston tried to come back, though. They came at the Heat, playing like they should have, though on a fast break, Tony Allen was taken down accidentally by Joel Anthony. Allen was slow to get up, but was fine and remained in the game. Anthony did the same thing to Rondo after being nudged by Dwyane Wade, and while Rondo was attended to, he was fine and remained in the game as well. Thanks to foul shooting and timely attacks of the basket, Boston cut the lead to four, and only trailed by six at the half. Rondo tried to get it closer with the last shot, but for probably the first time ever, a half ended with the shot getting stuck between the rim and the board.

The Celtics kept it up in the 3rd, which hasn’t always been their best quarter this season. Ray Allen hit a three to tie it at 62, and Rondo banked it in moments later to take a 64-62 lead. Boston opened up a seven-point lead, and led by six with 12 minutes to go. All they had to do now was not screw up yet another lead, and we’d all be going home happy.

Not so fast, Boston; you’re forgetting about Dwyane Wade. With his mama in attendance, Wade hit a three after the Heat jump-started a run of their own to pull withing one, then later hit another one to take a one-point lead, then hit another one to take a five-point lead (he had four in the quarter). A ten-point lead soon belonged to Miami, with 6:59 left. Ray Allen uncharacteristically missed two free throws with 1:50 left, making it three missed free throws in a row. It’s the first time that’s happened in five years. Garnett later missed two to make it five misses in a row. Boston couldn’t hold onto a lead, again, and couldn’t defend, giving Wade a career high 46 points in a playoff game. As a result, Boston will head back home and hope to avoid being the first NBA team to ever lose a series after being ahead 3-0.

C’s Stud of the Game: Rajon Rondo

Rondo did all he could to get his team back in it with his 23 points and nine assists, but Rondo’s still only one man.

C’s Dud of the Game: Everyone

The 1st and 4th quarters were just embarrassing. The Heat also got way too many second chances opportunities, nine to Boston’s meager four.

That’s What He Said:

“We just have to do a better job, somehow … Wade brought them back in one stretch.” – Doc Rivers on Dwyane Wade (and the Heat overall).

Game Notes:

• Scoring Leaders: Dwyane Wade (MIA 46), Rajon Rondo (BOS 23), Quentin Richardson (MIA 20)
• Field Goal Leaders: Dwyane Wade (MIA 16/24), Kevin Garnett (BOS 9/13), Rajon Rondo (BOS 9/17)
• Three Point Leaders: Dwyane Wade (MIA 5/7), Quentin Richardson (MIA 4/6), Ray Allen (BOS 3/6)
• Free Throw Leaders: Dwyane Wade (MIA 9/14), Rasheed Wallace (BOS 3/4), Michael Beasley (MIA 3/4), Rajon Rondo (Bos 3/4)
• Rebound Leaders: Kevin Garnett (BOS 12), Udonis Haslem (MIA 11), Kendrick Perkins (BOS 8).
• Assist Leaders: Rajon Rondo (BOS 9), Mario Chalmers (MIA 5), Dwyane Wade (MIA 5)
  Steal Leaders: Quentin Richardson (MIA 3), four others with two
• Block Leaders: Kendrick Perkins (BOS 3), Tony Allen (BOS 1), Jermaine O’Neal (MIA 1), Joel Anthony (MIA 1)
• Turnovers: BOS 16, MIA 16
• Foul-outs: none
• Technical Fouls: Carlos Arroyo (MIA, 9:39 left in 3rd), Rajon Rondo (BOS, 9:39 left in 3rd)

Tags: Celtics, Doc Rivers, Dwyane Wade, Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Garnett, Miami Heat, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Rasheed Wallace, Ray Allen, Tony Allen