Hoops Nation

Day 36 of the NBA Playoffs hosted an Eastern Conference Finals Wednesday. The top two teams in the Eastern Conference faced off for Game 4 in Boston. The Heat won Games 1 and 2. The Celtics try to bounce back to win a second game in a row to even up the series before going back to Miami for Game 5. Let’s see if Rajon Rondo and co. got the job done.
 

(2) Miami Heat vs (4) Boston Celtics
 

Quick Breakdown of the Game
 

The Celtics started the game out strong. At one point in the first quarter, the Celtics led 21-9. Paul Pierce and LeBron James scored 12 points each. At the end of one, the Celtics led the Heat by 11, 34-23. Again, Pierce and LeBron played very well and led their teams. Pierce scored six points, while LeBron scored seven. The Celtics had better overall play and led the Heat after two by 14, 61-47. The Heat played a lot better coming out of halftime. At the end of three, the Heat trailed the Celtics by five, 73-68. The Heat managed to play harder and the Celtics were getting frustrated. The Heat played nicely until the end of the fourth quarter. With the game tied up and seconds left in the game, LeBron squared and passed the ball to Udonis Haslem and Haslem missed it. The game went into overtime.
 

Overtime
 

Paul Pierce fouled out in the opening moments of the extra period. Udonis Haslem gets the first basket in overtime with a great slam dunk. Marquis Daniels made one of two free throws to cut the lead down to one. Rondo makes a floater to grab the one point lead with 2:25 left in the game. LeBron James missed the easy shot down on the block and on the next possession, he fouled out. With 1:51 left in the game, with Boston up by one, Paul Pierce and LeBron James are fouled out with the game on the line. Shane Battier missed a three point jumper in an attempt to grab the lead over the Celtics. With 21.4 seconds left, Mario Chalmers fouled Rajon Rondo. With Rondo at the line, he missed the first attempt, but made the second. The Celtics led by two, 93-91. Dwyane Wade attempted the final shot and he took a potential game-winning three. With a very good look, Dwyane Wade missed the shot as the ball bounced and rolled on the rim. The Celtics have now tied up the series at 2-2, with the series going back to Miami.
 

Miami Heat Top Performers
 

Udonis Haslem and Mario Chalmers scored 12 points each. Dwyane Wade scored 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. LeBron James scored 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.
 

Boston Celtics Top Performers
 

Keyon Dooling scored 10 points on 3-5 shooting. Brandon Bass scored 11 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Ray Allen scored 16 points on 6-16 shooting. Paul Pierce scored 23 points on 8-18 shooting. Kevin Garnett recorded a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Rajon Rondo led the Celtics with 15 points and 15 rebounds.
 

What to Dwell On?
 

Do you think the Celtics will steal Game 5 in Miami? How do you like their chances of winning the series over the Heat?