Celtics look to even up series with Heat
After bouncing back with a tough win in Game 3 the Boston Celtics can tie their series with the Miami Heat at 2-2 if they can pick up another win at home on Monday night.
The Celtics were practically in a must-win situation on Saturday, down 2-0 heading home to face Miami. Boston's lineup of veterans was bruised and battered in Miami, and the injuries kept coming in Game 3, but this time Boston rose above them in a 97-81 victory as 3-point favorite.
Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with 28 points and 18 rebounds in that contest, and Paul Pierce added 27 points, but it was Rajon Rondo that drew the most accolades. Rondo only had six points, but he also dished out 11 assists while playing the fourth quarter with one good arm. Rondo got tangled up with Dwyane Wade in the third quarter and went down hard, suffering a dislocated left elbow that some thought would sideline him for the rest of the series. Instead, Rondo returned with his arm dangling and scored four of his six points with one arm.
While the Celtics found their game on Saturday the Heat took a step back. Wade scored a team-high 23 points while shooting 8-of-19, and LeBron James had only 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting. Chris Bosh was a non-factor with only six points and five rebounds.
After winning Game 3 the Celtics have won their last 11 home games versus the Heat, while going 8-3 ATS. Despite the unknown status of Rondo going forward the Celtics are favored again in Game 4, but the odds have fallen slightly, with Boston down as a 1-point favorite.
While the Celtics were cooling off the Heat on Saturday, the Memphis Grizzlies were pulling off a miraculous comeback win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Memphis was a 3-point home favorite in Game 3 and won 101-93 in overtime despite falling behind by 16 points in the third quarter. Zach Randolph powered the Grizzlies with 21 points and 21 rebounds, while Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo each netted 18 points.
Russell Westbrook scored a game-high 23 points to go along with 12 assists for the Thunder, while Kevin Durant had 22 points and 12 rebounds. Durant's 22 points was his lowest total of the postseason so far, and he missed all three shots he took in overtime.
The Grizzles remain undefeated at home in the postseason and they've won six in a row overall at FedExForum. Memphis is 5-1 ATS during their streak, and they're a 2.5-point favorite for Game 4.