casper
01-07-2010, 09:32 AM
RONDO'S HEROICS LEAD CELTICS PAST HEAT IN OT
THE SPORTS NETWORK
Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Rajon Rondo tied the game with an alley-oop layup off an inbounds pass from Paul Pierce at the end of regulation, helping Boston to a 112-106 win over Miami.
Rondo scored six of his team-high 25 points in overtime, as the Celtics overcame a season-best 44 from Miami's Dwyane Wade.
Ray Allen had nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter for the Celtics, who have won back-to-back contests following a three-game skid. They've beaten the Heat four straight times and in 10 of the last 11 meetings.
Kendrick Perkins chipped in 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Rasheed Wallace ended with 16 points and nine rebounds before fouling out. Pierce, who missed the previous five games following left knee surgery, had 17 points.
Wade went 15-of-34 from the field for the Heat, who also received 19 points and nine boards from Udonis Haslem. Jermaine O'Neal scored 14 in defeat, Miami's fourth in five games.
Wade stole the ball from Allen at midcourt and cruised in for the go-ahead two-handed jam with 0.6 seconds remaining.
Boston then called a timeout to set up a final play, and it worked to perfection, with Pierce lobbing the ball to Rondo for a layup to send the game into overtime tied at 101.
Rondo's floater and a free throw from Perkins gave Boston a 104-103 edge.
Rondo later added a driving layup, but Wade's three-ball had Miami within 108-106 with 51.3 seconds to go. Rondo then essentially sealed the victory, bolting down the lane for a bucket with 34.3 seconds left. Wade missed a three-pointer at the other end, and Allen's two foul shots accounted for the final margin.
The Heat wasted an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter. Haslem's jumper moved Miami to an 89-78 cushion with 7 1/2 minutes remaining, but Wallace and Allen guided a late Boston run. Wallace banged in a pair of three-balls, and Allen canned one long distance shot. Wallace's three tied the game at 93 with under three minutes left, setting up the late dramatics.
Another Allen three had the Celtics in front, 99-95, with 53.1 seconds to go, but O'Neal countered with a foul-line jumper. Pierce missed a scoop shot in the lane, and Wade raced to the other end, was fouled and sank two free throws for a tie contest with 5.5 ticks left.
Wade scored 18 in the first quarter, as the Heat built a 35-30 advantage after 12 minutes. It was tight for most of the second quarter. Boston used a 19-7 spurt to claim a 57-51 edge before Wade drained a three-pointer to end the half.
The Celtics led by as many as eight in the third, but a 15-4 flurry allowed Miami to capture a 76-73 edge. It was 78-75 moving to the fourth.
GAME NOTES:
The Heat start a six-game road trip in Phoenix on Friday with additional games against the Clippers, Jazz, Warriors, Rockets and Thunder...The Celtics play at Atlanta on Friday...Boston shot 53.7 percent from the field, compared to 40.8 for Miami.
THE SPORTS NETWORK
Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Rajon Rondo tied the game with an alley-oop layup off an inbounds pass from Paul Pierce at the end of regulation, helping Boston to a 112-106 win over Miami.
Rondo scored six of his team-high 25 points in overtime, as the Celtics overcame a season-best 44 from Miami's Dwyane Wade.
Ray Allen had nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter for the Celtics, who have won back-to-back contests following a three-game skid. They've beaten the Heat four straight times and in 10 of the last 11 meetings.
Kendrick Perkins chipped in 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Rasheed Wallace ended with 16 points and nine rebounds before fouling out. Pierce, who missed the previous five games following left knee surgery, had 17 points.
Wade went 15-of-34 from the field for the Heat, who also received 19 points and nine boards from Udonis Haslem. Jermaine O'Neal scored 14 in defeat, Miami's fourth in five games.
Wade stole the ball from Allen at midcourt and cruised in for the go-ahead two-handed jam with 0.6 seconds remaining.
Boston then called a timeout to set up a final play, and it worked to perfection, with Pierce lobbing the ball to Rondo for a layup to send the game into overtime tied at 101.
Rondo's floater and a free throw from Perkins gave Boston a 104-103 edge.
Rondo later added a driving layup, but Wade's three-ball had Miami within 108-106 with 51.3 seconds to go. Rondo then essentially sealed the victory, bolting down the lane for a bucket with 34.3 seconds left. Wade missed a three-pointer at the other end, and Allen's two foul shots accounted for the final margin.
The Heat wasted an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter. Haslem's jumper moved Miami to an 89-78 cushion with 7 1/2 minutes remaining, but Wallace and Allen guided a late Boston run. Wallace banged in a pair of three-balls, and Allen canned one long distance shot. Wallace's three tied the game at 93 with under three minutes left, setting up the late dramatics.
Another Allen three had the Celtics in front, 99-95, with 53.1 seconds to go, but O'Neal countered with a foul-line jumper. Pierce missed a scoop shot in the lane, and Wade raced to the other end, was fouled and sank two free throws for a tie contest with 5.5 ticks left.
Wade scored 18 in the first quarter, as the Heat built a 35-30 advantage after 12 minutes. It was tight for most of the second quarter. Boston used a 19-7 spurt to claim a 57-51 edge before Wade drained a three-pointer to end the half.
The Celtics led by as many as eight in the third, but a 15-4 flurry allowed Miami to capture a 76-73 edge. It was 78-75 moving to the fourth.
GAME NOTES:
The Heat start a six-game road trip in Phoenix on Friday with additional games against the Clippers, Jazz, Warriors, Rockets and Thunder...The Celtics play at Atlanta on Friday...Boston shot 53.7 percent from the field, compared to 40.8 for Miami.