With last nights game tied at 98, Celtic's wing Paul Pierce pulled up in the final seconds and hit a clutch jumper at the buzzer to win it and give Boston the 3-0 edge over the Miami Heat. In what was a great game to watch, that saw back and forth action and thunderous dunks and nifty buckets all night, Pierce was the one with the ball in his hands at the end. He delivered, showing us why it is still okay to call him by his nickname, "The Truth". The truth however, is that Miami superstar guard (and former Kentucky Wildcat killer) DeWayne Wade had the ball in his hands with under twenty seconds to go and a chance to win the game. Wade who finished with 34 pts, 8 ast, 5 rebs, had to watch his three point attempt collect iron, but what he was about to watch made it even worst. With the buzzer sounding as Pierce's shot next trip down the floor went in, the buzzer may have also sounded on the Heat's season. No team has ever came back from being down 3-0 in the NBA playoffs, and with the way the Celtics have came together and started playing, it will be tough to get a couple games from them, much less four.
“We’re going to be a team that’s tough to beat four times,” Pierce said. “But it’s very demoralizing, I think, for the other team when you go down 3-0.”
The Celtics, plagued by injuries the past two seasons have been under immense scrutiny following their Championship just two seasons ago. Having to hear about how everyone is getting old and past their prime maybe just the fuel they need to make a run deep in the post season once again. Quite frankly, the Celtics aren't getting any younger, and no matter what this year's playoff run holds, may want to look to overhaul the roster in the offseason. Boston GM Danny Ainge locked up former Cat and point guard Rajon Rondo earlier in the season with a multi year deal. However, the three amigos as they are known (Pierce, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett) are all getting into their thirties. It could be this age and experience though that may give them the edge to battle through the Eastern Division and bring back another championship.
In game three Pierce finished with 32 pts, and 8 rebs. Ray Allen added 25 (points) and 5 (assists), while Rondo finished with 17 pts 5 rebs, and 8 asts. For the Heat Michael Beasley also added sixteen points. The lack of another key contributor though is what makes it hard for the Miami Heat to contend and may be what ultimately drives D Wade out of South Beach this offseason. But, the allure of playing with him may just bring in the help he needs. It shall be an interesting offseason to say the least.
Also around the league today, Saturday, April 24th, in playoff action, The Charlotte Bobcats are playing host to the Orlando Magic. That game is underway and in the second quarter, Magic lead the series 2-0. Phoenix is at Portland, that game at 4:30 with the Suns leading the series 2-1. The Atlanta Hawks will look to push their series lead to 3-0 as they travel to Milwaukee and take on the upstart Bucks at 7:00. The final game of the night is the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers against Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Lakers lead the series 2-1, game starts at 9:30.
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