Paul Pierce and LeBron James both fouled out, and Dwyane Wade missed a shot at the buzzer as the Celtics held off the Heat in overtime, 93-91, to tie the Eastern Conference Finals at two games apiece.
James fouled out with 1:51 left overtime. He fouled out for the fourth time in his career and the first time since April of 2008, when he was with Cleveland. Pierce fouled out with 4:22 remaining in the game, the second time he's fouled out this series. This time, however, the Celtics were able to pull through.
Just as they did Friday night, the Celtics got off to a hot start. The 34 points the Celtics scored in the first quarter of Game 4 were their most points scored in a first quarter this season. Rajon Rondo had 8 points and 4 assists in the first quarter, while Brandon Bass had 7 points and 5 rebounds, three of them offensive, as the Celtics built their lead.
The Celtics made seven 3-pointers in the first half, many of them set up by the acrobatics of Rondo, who had 10 assists at the break. One one play, Rondo literally ran into Mike Miller in the paint but was able to contort his body enough to find Keyon Dooling in the corner for an open shot. During a sideline interview before walking off the court at halftime, Rondo was asked how the Celtics were able to exploit the Miami defense.
"Them complaining and crying to referees in transition," said Rondo. Shot fired.
Pierce led the Celtics with 18 points at the half.
After putting up 61 points in the first half, the Celtics managed just 12 points in the third quarter on 5 of 16 shooting. Pierce and Rondo each picked up their fourth fouls in the period, and Boston finished the quarter without them, clinging to a five-point lead to start the fourth.
The fourth quarter wasn't much prettier. The Celtics were 0 for 5 to begin the period, their field goal drought spanning more than six minutes between the third and fourth quarters. Boston managed just 16 points in the fourth, but they clamped down defensively, holding Miami to 6 of 15 shooting and forcing overtime.
Both James and Pierce fouled out in the extra frame, but Wade's miss at the buzzer capped a dramatic game and tied the series, which heads back to Miami for Game 5 Wednesday night. James led the Heat with 29 points. Rondo had 15 points and 15 assists for the Celtics.
Final: Celtics 93, Heat 91
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