Boston 112, Miami 106 (OT)

What a game tonight! I don’t know what any of you guys were doing, but if you missed the end of this game, it is a regret you will have to live with.

Miami has been struggling of late, and the Celtics face their worst injury trouble since bringing both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen two short years ago. However, the C’s obtained Rajon Rondo and Pierce back for tonight’s game and boy, did they need them.

The game was back and forth throughout, each team bestowing masterful execution and cunning on one another. Dwyane Wade was unbelievable. He dropped a season high 44 points. He was the Heat again. The Celtics responded with a balance attack. It was like watching Juggernaut take on the X-Men. It was that intense. The game was simply amazing.

The Heat went into the fourth with a three point lead, and came out firing. Miami shortly went on a 11-0 run to make the game 89-78 with 7:20 to go. The game seemed all over. Miami was at home, had the crowd behind them, and all the momentum in the world. The injury riddled Celtics were done.

—Insert Ray Allen’s clutch factor—

After Paul Pierce and Rasheed Wallace scored 5 points, Allen drained 5 of his own in less than a minute to dwindle the lead to 3. The game was back in hand. The game resumed to a punch for punch battle. Their was no give. Each team was going for the knockout punch. Little did they know, that one of the most unique and entertaining regular season game endings was among them.

With 1:30 left to go and Boston up 95-93, a questionable foul call was called on Quentin Richardson. In complete frustration, Richardson retaliated by badgering Official Joe Crawford (My Best Friend) with anger and illicit language. Crawford simply responded with untimely T and put Allen to the line. Ray-Ray made the technical.

Shortly thereafter, Rasheed Wallace gets called for an obvious foul on Udonis Haslem Naturally, Wallace strongly disagreed for this was his 6th foul. He was out of the game and almost received a technical of his own if it weren’t for his teammates literally blockading him from the referee’s peripheral vision. It worked. Wallace calmed down, as did Haslem. He drained both the free throws to make it 96-95 Boston.

Insert Ray Allen’s clutch factor… again.

On the next possession, as Rondo dribbles in the front court, Mr. Allen runs off a plethora of screens. Wade gets caught up in the mess the Celtics big men leave behind. Allen springs free and drains a three right into the heart of Miami. I personally thought the game was over. Ray Allen has done it again (I can still hear Kevin Harlan yell that…. OOO…. it sends goosebumps down my spine).

Oh boy, was I wrong.

Miami comes back with Jermaine O’Neal nailing a big jump shot to bring it within two. Paul Pierce follows with a miss lay up, and Wade makes him pay by getting to the line and draining both free throws to tie the game.

Boston calls a timeout and sets something up for Ray Allen. Allen gets the ball, and stumbles like a thoroughbred getting out of the gates. Wade wastes no time. He steals the ball and slams the win down with .6 seconds left to go. Everybody and anybody thought the game was over… except Boston.

This is the crazy part.

I stated to my mother (who knows absolutely nothing about the game, she was just sitting next to me) that they should run a back screen for Rondo or Glen Davis to get an alley-oop, but that they would run a desperation three for Ray Allen.

I would have preferred the latter.

Pierce conducted the inbound pass, and there it was. Big Baby Davis set a back screen for Rondo. Pierce threw a perfect pass and Rajon nailed in the tip-in as time expired. Here we go… Extra Fun.

In overtime, the Heat jumped out to a two point lead with a quick steal and slam by none other, Mr. Wade. The Celtics responded nicely and took control of the extra period. They would score 9 unanswered and despite a clutch three by Wade, Boston had sealed the victory. The game was ended by Allen making the last 4 points for the Celtics, proving once again… his clutch factor.

What an fun-filled game. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this one. So much, I’m calling it the Game of the Year… thus far of course.

Here is the stat line for the game:

Boston: Kendrick Perkins finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, Ray Allen: 22, Rajon Rondo: 25 and 8 assists.

Miami: Udonis Haslem scored 19 points and 9 rebounds, & Jermaine O’Neal had 14 and 8.

This is The Ref signaling I’m out until next time and remember: We miss calls, you miss lay ups.