The Celtics barely had enough gas in the tank for 48 minutes of basketball. When the last play of the fourth quarter unfolded in no way, shape, or form that Doc Rivers drew it up, Paul Pierce managed to get a fadeaway jumper off that bounced off the rim.
The miss was deadly. The Celtics really didn't have anything left. Miami's younger legs were too much in a 53 minute contest. The only basket the Celtics could muster was a Paul Pierce layup to cut Miami's OT lead to three. Boston would not score again.
Meanwhile, the Heat's OT featured a ridiculous turnaround circus shot by Dwyane Wade and a soul crushing tip-in by Chris Bosh to seal it.
Bosh didn't start the game playing great… but he finished with 20 and 12. Kevin Garnett… one game after his best playoff performance as a Celtic… had 7 points on 1-10 shooting. He did have 10 rebounds. But he was not a factor on offense.
LeBron and Wade combined for 63. No one else scored more than 4 for Miami.
Paul Pierce carried the load with 27. Ray had 17 but was a non-factor in the first half. Rondo had 10 and 5 with his one arm… but was too much of a liability offensively in OT so Doc sat him for a stretch.
Delonte and Jeff Green were pretty good offensively but they make key mistakes in the OT. Glen Davis is just not playing well at all. Not at all.
And so here we are. The last of the NBA's old guard left in the playoffs and we seem destined to suffer their same fate. San Antonio didn't have enough left. Los Angeles didn't have enough left. And unless the Celtics can find a way to win three games in a row against the LeBron and Wade show… the Celtics will be cast off as well.
It is not impossible… but it sure seems that way. The Celtics needed to win their home games and bank on their experience and pressure to crumble the Heat in a pressure situation. Now the Heat smell blood. Of course, Miami could get cocky, come out flat in Game 5 and drop a game there. Then it's back to Boston where the team could find some energy and get it to a "who knows what will happen" Game 7.
But I'm reaching there. I can only hope desperation is the path to the fountain of youth.
Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
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