Boston Rolls V. Heat, 100-98; Lead Series 3-0 of Buzzer-Beater

CELTICS 100     Heat 98

We all know how important Paul Pierce is to the Celtics. Tonight, he was really important, helping the Celtics slip by the Miami Heat in a 100-98 thriller. Pierce buried a 21-foot-jumper as Dwyane Wade watched horribly from the bench.

This win not only brought a 3-0 advantage over the Heat in the series, but also the momentum. The Celtics need one more win for the sweep. They're making this Heat time look like they never want them coming back to the playoffs again.

Pierce saved the day.

"That's a shot I hit a number of times in playoffs and regular season," Pierce said after the game. "I told the coaches, 'Give me the ball on the right side.' I got to my sweet spot, made sure there wasn't any time left and drained it."

 

Paul Pierce had 32 points. Those points he hit in the closing seconds of the game were the ones that really mattered. This game could easily wrap up the series now. No team has ever came back and win from an 0-3 deficit. And the way the Heat have been playing, it seems highly unlikely of them accomplishing a feat like that. 

Ray Allen put up 25 points, Rajon Rondo 17, and 16 for Kevin Garnett. Dwayne Wade had 34 points and five rebounds, along with eight assists for the Heat. Udonis Haslem put up eight boards. Kendrick Perkins had twelve.

"We certainly fought the fight in terms of bringing the appropriate level of intensity to the game," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "That was there. Couldn't ask for much more in terms of effort plays and just bringing the fight."

It was a tough loss for the Heat, indeed. But can they come back? It can be possible, you never know. We'll see.

But another great showing of the Celtics. They are sending a message to all the other teams right now: Watch out.