Sharapova Likes What She C's

With my favorite leggy, 21-year old professional tennis player (Maria Sharapova) sitting courtside, the Celtics worked over the Heat for three quarters in Miami tonight. Up 22 going into the fourth quarter, the Heat staged a furious comeback but ultimately fell short, 95-85.

Paul Pierce led the way with a game-high 27 points (he had 18 in the first quarter), seven boards and six turnovers. Kevin Garnett (23 points, 9 rebounds) and Ray Allen (17 points) had deceptive games. KG could have had more if the Celts tried a little harder in the fourth quarter to get him the ball. Allen shot 3 of 17 overall after hitting his first two shots. He made a tough shot off the glass late that was key but mostly he made his living at the line. He was 10 of 11 shooting foul shots as the Celts continually let him dribble down the stretch and the Heat didn't realize they should double him and make someone else go to the line. Rajon Rondo only took one shot (he made it) and a free throw for three points, six assists and five steals. Eddie House had nine points and James Posey played well although his modest numbers (6 points, 5 rebounds) don't really reflect it. Posey made a steal in the fourth that iced it for the C's.

Recently Heat coach/used car salesman Pat Riley has started Penny Hardaway and Chris Quinn but then sits them for most of the game and lets Jason Williams and Ricky Davis play. Williams had a team-high 22 points (6 of 12 on threes) but Davis was a non-factor with six points.

Dwyane Wade had an even tougher night than Ray Allen, he finished just 2-11 from the floor and 6-11 from the free throw line for 10 points, five boards, three steals, two blocks and six turnovers. Shaq had a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards but he is nowhere near the player he used to be. You have to love Wade's game but at the moment it's simply not clicking. He's not 100% recovered from his various injuries and truth be told, he's just not a great shooter. He lives on driving to the hoop and getting the superstar (sometimes phantom) foul calls. Udonis Haslem quietly had the most efficient night for the Heat with 18 points and 10 boards. Still, if Williams is their leading scorer, they're probably not going to get many wins.

Boston led 59-41 at the half and it looked like it was going to be a laugher. After outscoring the Heat by four in the third quarter, the C's let up in the fourth as they couldn't hit any shots. Luckily, the Heat obliged them with a bunch of one shot (miss) possessions which the Celtics rebounded and cleared out.

The Heat are the second best defensive team in the league but didn't show that ability until the fourth when they held Boston to 12 points. For the game, Miami shot 45.7% to Boston's 39.7%. The C's made 16 more free throws (27-11) which was the story of the game. The Heat also committed 24 turnovers while Boston had 17.

It wasn't the prettiest game but they'll take it given the tough circumstances (back-to-back games, on the road). The Celts meet the Cavs again, this time Sunday afternoon at the Garden. LeBron is expected back after injuring his finger the other night.