The word out of Cleveland is that a strained right elbow and and a bone bruise of his olecranon were what had LeBron James shooting a free throw with his left hand at the end of Cleveland's 94-96 series-clinching win over Chicago Tuesday night.

Like a lot of people who saw replays of James wincing as he held his right arm puzzled Celtics center Kendrick Perkins.

"It’s just crazy," Perkins said. "The whole elbow situation is crazy. He makes one with his right arm, then all of a sudden, he’s hurt with his left arm. So, I don’t know. That whole situation’s crazy. But we’re not really worried about what’s going on their end, we’re worried about us."

James, of course, was typically otherworldy, dropping 31.8 points, 9.2 assists, and 8.2 rebounds on the Bulls in the first round. He averaged 36.5, 8.3, and 6.5 in four regular season games against the Celtics, which led Paul Pierce to point out, "LeBron with a bad elbow is still better than 95 percent of the league, so it doesn’t matter."

"He's fine," Rivers said. "I tell you what, If he goes three or four games and shoots left hand only, I'll beleive it's hurting. Other than that we're going to be ready for the LeBron that we've seen all through the playoffs."

The NBA released its annual list of college players ready to make the early leap to the NBA. Kentucky's John Wall is obviously the headliner/no-brainer, but the news here is in the number not the names.

The thought was that the possibility of lockout next summer would lead to a rush of players breaking for the league while they still had a chance to cash in. However, the 80 names on this year's list is only six more than last year's. The Celtics aren't sitting terribly far out of the lottery with the 19th pick.

Here's the list.

The schedule for the Eastern Conference semifinal between the Celtics and Cavaliers. It seems to favor the aging Celtics because there is a three-day break between games 2 and 3:

Time, Broadcast
Game 1 - Sat May 1 Boston at Cleveland TBD TNT

Game 2 - Mon May 3 Boston at Cleveland TBD TNT

Game 3 - Fri May 7 Cleveland at Boston TBD ESPN

Game 4 - Sun May 9 Cleveland at Boston 3:30 p.m. ABC

Game 5 * Tue May 11 Boston at Cleveland TBD TNT

Game 6 * Thu May 13 Cleveland at Boston TBD ESPN

Game 7 * Sun May 16 Boston at Cleveland 3:30 p.m. ABC
* if necessary

Points	R. Allen	24	Wade	31
Rebounds	Garnett, Rondo	8	Haslem	10
Assists	Rondo	12	Wade	10
Steals	Rondo	4	Beasley	3

First quarter, Celtics 29-21
Celtics come out and shoot 67 percent and get 9 points from Paul Pierce as a late-period run opens the lead to 8. Rajon Rondo finishes with eight points and four rebounds in the quarter while Carlos Arroyo comes out of witness protection and tallies 6 points for Miami.

Second quarter, Celtics 48-38
Both teams were poor offensively combining to hit 11 of 41 shots. The Celtics go on a 9-1 run to lead 42-30 and after a Miami surge, score the last four points of the half for a double-digit lead. Wade scores just 5 points in the period and TD Garden crowd are fearing he has a lot more jumpers left. They were right.

Third quarter, Celtics 71-65
Believe it or not, the Celtics actually led by 21 in the quarter after a 19-8 run to begin the second half. But 4 points in the final 6:56 and some sharp shooting from Wade and Mario Chalmers turn this into a close game again and the crowd gets anxious. Wade scores 10 in the quarter and Chalmers adds 9. Michael Beasley does not play.

Final, Celtics 96-86
Wade scores 5 straight points, cuts Boston's lead to 73-70 with 10:14 left and the crowd is sensing another collapse. But Ray Allen completes a 3-point play and later hits a 3-pointer for an 82-74 lead with 8:20 left and another 6-0 run increases the lead to 12 with 5:34 left. The Heat don't threaten again. Wade scores 3 points in the final 9:50.

Final, Celtics 96-86 The Heat cut the Celtics' lead to 73-70 with 10:14 left but the Celtics' offense kept hitting big shots and the Heat had no runs left. The Celtics advance to meet either Cleveland or Chicago. Ray Allen finishes with 24 points and Paul Pierce added 21.

Fourth quarter, 1:18, Celtics 96-86 The Heat cut the lead to 8 points after a Mario Chalmers 3-pointer but Paul Pierce counters with a jumper that rolls through, putting the Heat in a difficult position. Heat ball. Dwyane Wade has 31 points and Mario Chalmers has 20 for Miami.

Fourth quarter, 2:42, Celtics 91-80 Paul Pierce missed two of three free throws but the Celtics have the ball and need to make their free throws to hang on. Dwyane Wade has 28 points but has not been a factor in the last few minutes.

Fourth quarter, 5:34, Celtics 88-76 Kevin Garnett just hit a big jumper and Dwyane Wade missed a 3-pointer (he's 2 for 6) as the Celtics are trying to milk the clock and advance to the second round. Pierce has 18 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.

Fourth quarter, 6:20, Celtics 86-76 The Celtics have scored the last four points, the final bucket a Paul Pierce layup as they try to hold on against the Heat, who have played well since falling behind 21.

Fourth quarter, 9:21, Celtics 79-72 Celtics offense is beginning to figure out the aggressive Miami defense and score points but Ray Allen has five fouls and he is the only one of the Big Three that's scoring right now. Dwyane Wade has 28 points, 17 in the second half while Mario Chalmers has 15 for the Heat.

End of the third quarter, Celtics 71-65Heat end the quarter on a 19-4 run, stifling the Celtics offense while getting good contributions from Mario Chalmers, who had nine points during the run. Dwyane Wade has 21 points and he canned two 3-pointers during the surge. The Celtics committed four turnovers in the quarter and scored four points in the final 6:56.

Third quarter, 330, Celtics 69-59 strong>Third quarter, 2:48, Celtics 69-59 The Heat are on a 13-2 run after falling behind by 21and the Celtics are playing sloppy basketball after a stellar first half of the third quarter. This game is not over. Dwyane Wade has 7 of Miami's 21 points in the quarter. Mario Chalmers has hit two 3-pointers off the bench.

Third quarter, 7:23, Celtics 65-46 Ray Allen has hit consecutive 3-pointers and the Celtics are trying to put Miami in a serious hole. Allen has 13 and is 3-for-3 from the 3-point line. Paul Pierce leads Boston with 16 while Dwyane Wade has 13 on 5-for-13 shooting.

End of second quarter, Celtics 48-38: The Heat cut the Celtics lead down to 44-38, with through free throws and Dwayne Wade, who made tough lay-up and stretched for a tip-in. But the Celtics stretched it back out to double-digits with Pierce using a couple fakes to get a finger roll off and Rondo getting to the line. Miami's shooting 34.9 percent from floor. The Celtics have knocked down 19 of their 40 shots. At one point the Heat had taken seven more free throws than the Cs, but the Celtics attacked toward the end of the half, knockind down 9 of their 10 attempts. The Celtics are winning the battle on the glass (24-20) in the paint (26-18) and on the fast break (8-2).

Second quarter, 3:48, Celtics 42-30 Quentin Richardson fouled Paul Pierce chasing down a loose ball and all he could do was shake their head. They were down 10 before Pierce knocked down both free throws, they're in the Celtics gym and maybe he's starting to sense it. Erik Spoelstra called a timeout. Undoubtedly, there's some motivational speaking going on.

Second Quarter, 4:54 Celtics 37-29: Dwyane Wade hasn't gotten anything close to a clean look at the basket, if he doesn't have an extra defender like Paul Pierce shooting at him, then the Celtics are converging on him like a beartrap when he drives the lane. He's gone to the free throw line four times (3 of 4) but he's 2 of 6 from the floor.

Second quarter, 6:10, Celtics 33-29: Kendrick Perkins was just whistled for a tech after swinging an elbow at Jermaine O'Neal as they scrapped for a rebound under the Heat basket. Mario Chalmers missed the ensuing free throws.

Second Quarter, 7:31 Celtics 33-25: Miami's shooting percentage continues to dive (it was as low as 37.9 percent). Dwyane Wade hasn't been able to put his fingerprints on the game yet. Meanwhile Paul Pierce is swatting shots and making hustle plays, trying to put the series away.

End of first quarter, Celtics 29-17: The Celtics close the quarter on a 13-4 run, and they've done a nice job of not letting Dwyane Wade get into a rhythm early. He's only taken four shots, knocking down two of them. He's had to rely on a supporting cast that's missed 10 of their 17 shots. Biggest difference: Quentin Richardson is 1 of 4 to start the game. He scored 13 points in the first quarter of Game 4.

First quarter 2:38, Celtics 23-17: Miami calls a timeout to take a deep breath after a Celtics rush. Paul Pierce swished a 3-pointer from the wing, then got to the rim for a tough lay-up. Then, Kendick Perkins was a the beneficiary of good ball movement, as Rajon Rondo paused on the break, dropped one down to KG who dropped another one to Perk for a huge two-hand flush that capped a 7-0 run.

First quarter 5:07: Heat 15-14: The Celtics are shooting 70 percent with Rondo leading the way (6 points on 3 of 3 shooting), bu turnovers have been the story again early with four of them costing the Cs 6 points.

... where the Celtics aren't trying to go back to South Beach.

The Heat, however, down 3-1, are trying to extend the series pretty much by relying on the same formula that got them a win in Game 4. Dwyane Wade dropped a ridiculous 46 points, setting a franchise high in the process, and if he has to do it again, he said he will. He's been the definition of a one-man wrecking crew this series, averaging 33. points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists for the series.

From Michael Wallace in this morning's Miami Herald:

But even Wade knows he still has plenty of work to do to delay the start of Miami's offseason, which will include his pending free agency.

Wade said Monday he might not be able to duplicate his record-setting performance from Game 4, but that he would approach Tuesday with the same all-out abandon he showed in 2006.

"That's what it's going to take,'' Wade said. ``We have no `wait until next game' in us. We lose and that's the season. We'll see how much it means to us to keep it alive.''
Wade was certain to emphasize ``we'' as he spoke about Miami's mission. Nationally, Wade might be considered a one-man show, but his supporting cast has performed better the past two games.

Forward Michael Beasley has scored in double figures in three consecutive games, and swingman Quentin Richardson had 20 points in Game 4, which was the second-highest playoff total of his career.

``When he gets it going like that, it spreads like wildfire,'' Beasley said of Wade. ``We all get confidence. It's not a lot of pressure. The pressure is when he's having an off night and might shoot 6 for 20. That's when somebody's got to step up and carry the load.''

The inconsistent play early in the series has put the Heat in a hole that has forced Wade to do more heavy lifting. And just when the burden seemed to wear him down -- severe cramps and dehydration forced Wade out of the final moments of a 100-98 loss in Game 3 -- he bounced back in peak form.

After missing 11 free throws and watching lay-ups they normally make rim out down the stretch Sunday, the Celtics are worried about taking care of the little things. A long film session yesterday, ensured they saw everything for their nine first quarter turnovers to their missed defensive rotations. To close the series out, they'll have to tighten those things up first. They'll be watching the winner of tonight's game between Cleveland and Chicago, with Cleveland on the verge of closing it out themselves.

More to come.

Final, Heat 101-92
Dwyane Wade burns the Celtics with 19 points in the fourth quarter and the Celtics kill their own rally with five missed free throws in the final 2:36 and fall, sending the series back to Boston for Game 5. Now the pressure shifts to Boston because the Celtics definitely don't want to come back to Miami.

Fourth quarter, 33.7, Heat 99-92
Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett each miss two free throws and the Celtics are booking themselves a ticket for Tuesday night at TD Garden with their collapse down the stretch. Miami has been stymied offensively but the Celtics keep missing chances to cut the lead to one possession. Now it's too late.

Fourth quarter, 1:46, Heat 96-92
Ray Allen has missed three free throws in the past 45 seconds, including both with 1:46 left that could have sliced the lead to 2. Can't remember the last time he missed both ends of a one-and-one. Heat have the ball but haven't scored since the 4:43 mark.

Fourth quarter, 5:48, Heat 93-82
Celtics trying to make one final surge but Dwyane Wade is playing out of his mind in the fourth quarter with 18 points as Miami is trying to go back to Boston and extend the series. Wade has 45 points, 24 coming on 3-pointers.

Fourth quarter, 5:48, Heat 93-82
The Celtics are letting this one slip away as Dwyane Wade has scored a whopping 17 points in 6:12 of the fourth quarter and has 44. The Celtics have 5 points in that same span and are frazzled by the pace. Celtics are going to need a big spurt in the next few minutes or the series is headed back to Boston.

Fourth quarter, 9:13, Heat 85-80
Dwyane Wade is taking over with 11 of Miami's 14 points in the first 2:47 of the quarter. He has hit three 3-pointers and has 38 points. The Celtics aren't playing bad defense but Wade, a 30 percent 3-point shooter this season, has just been money from beyond the arc.

End of third quarter, Celtics 77-71
A 22-9 run in the final 6:28 of the quarter have put the Celtics ahead but the Heat are good for at least one more run left. Rajon Rondo has 20 and Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett have 15 while Dwyane Wade has 27 for the Heat.

Third quarter, 2:45, Celtics 68-64
Boston on a 13-2 run to take their first lead since early in the first quarter as Miami has once again turned into a one-man team. Rajon Rondo has 18 points and seven assists while Kevin Garnett has 14. Dwyane Wade has 24 points while Quentin Richardson has 16 but 3 since the first quarter.

Third quarter, 5:01, Heat 62-59
Teams trading baskets as the Celtics attempt to make another run at the Heat, who haven't played all that well since their blazing first quarter. Dwyane Wade has 22 points for Miami while Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo each have 14 points.

Halftime, Heat 49-43
The Celtics are really fortunate to be down only 6 after a mistake-filled, foul-filled first half that saw them trail by as many as 17. The bench has provided a lift with 14 points, including 6 from Tony Allen. The Heat are being led by Dwyane Wade and Quentin Richardson, who have 29 points on 13-for-21 shooting. Michael Beasley has added 11 but it seems like the Heat should lead by more than 6.

Second quarter, 4:56, Heat 43-34
Celtics on a 9-1 run despite three fouls each for Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. So the goal for the Celtics is to stay close and avoid a Dwyane Wade scoring surge.

Second quarter, 7:21, Heat 42-25
Boston has made zero progress in cutting into the Heat lead, even though Miami's top two players were out of the game. Michael Beasley has come alive for the Heat's past 6 points.

Second quarter, 8:39, Heat 38-24
With Dwyane Wade and Quentin Richardson out, the Celtics have a chance to rally but can't so far with just one field goal in the first 3:21 of the quarter. Miami is shooting 59 percent for the game and has just three turnovers. The Celtics have turned the ball over 11 times.

End of first quarter, Heat 31-18
Two Celtics buckets in the final 1:05 of the half may have saved them from getting completely blown out here. The Celtics have taken just 15 shots compared with 23 for Miami and they have also committed nine turnovers. Quentin Richardson and Dwyane Wade have combined for 27 of Miami's points.

First quarter, 2:48, Heat 26-14
Miami is on a 9-0 run and Quentin Richardson looks like he is facing Northwestern with 13 points while Dwyane Wade has 9 points and three assists. Wade also added a sick double-pump reverse dunk after a steal.

First quarter, 4:18, Heat 20-14
Celtics are warming up and Rajon Rondo cans a 3-pointer followed by a Paul Pierce 3-point play to slice into a 10-point lead. Dwyane Wade has 5 for Miami and Quentin Richardson has 11.

First quarter, 7:53, Heat 12-2
The Celtics have already committed four turnovers and have just three shot attempts. Miami is playing with some passion but let's see if they can sustain it.

First quarter, 8:51, Heat 8-2
Quentin Richardson has scored the first 8 points for Miami while the Celtics are off to a slow start and look lethargic. Boston already has three turnovers.

There should be no issues with WEEI's Sean Grande today as he and broadcasting partner Cedric Maxwell were moved to the other size of the auxiliary press box, enabling Grande to stand the entire game without blocking fans. During Friday's Game 3, a Miami Heat fan complained that Grande was blocking her view of the east side of the court, speaking with several arena officials before finally throwing a drink on Grande, who refused to sit down.

The auxiliary press box seats are about 20 rows above the court and Grande apparently stood to get a full view of game action.

By now, everyone knows the number. There have only been four best-of-seven series sweeps in Celtics history (1986, 1981, 1980, 1959). Today, however, the nurmber is irrelevant, said Celtics coach Doc Rivers.

He said moments ago:

"Well, it's tough to do," Rivers said. "I don't even know what the number is. I didn't know that and you don't really care, because we haven't done that yet. My mindset is tonight. This game, this afternoon, that's it.

... where the Celtics are treating it like Game 7.

Up three-games-to-none on the Heat, Boston has a chance to close out the series in Miami with about a week of rest as the incentive. The Celtics haven't swept a seven-game series since brushed up the Milwaukee Bucks in 1986.

Finishing it off in four is important, the Celtics say, but the sky won't fall if they don't.

"I think it would be great for our confidence," said Kendrick Perkins. "Other than that, it don’t matter how we win the series as long as we win it. To close the series out [today] would be great. "

At this point, with no NBA team having recovered from a three-game deficit, the Heat are trying to do everything to get up for this game. Even if it means quoting -- or misquoting -- Star Trek.

From Michael Wallace of the Miami Herald:

So, with the Heat facing out-of-this-world odds to make history, forward Michael Beasley used a Star Trek reference to relay his point after practice Saturday.

"Let's boldly go where no one ever . . . how's that line go?'' Beasley said, searching for the epic line from the sci-fi show before someone else in the room completed it for him.

"Yeah, let's do that.''

Forgive Beasley, 21, for not knowing the line. The original Star Trek show was canceled some 20 years before the second-year forward was born.

But with the Heat facing elimination entering Game 4 against the Celtics on Sunday at American Airlines Arena, Beasley has a complete grasp of the history Miami has a slim chance to make.

That process, as overwhelming as it appears, begins with a win for the Heat to avoid being swept in the first round for the second time in three years.

"I've seen the statistics,'' Beasley said. "Why not try to be first? You got to be first in something. It's going to be hard, definitely. If there's any team in the NBA that can win four straight, we can do it.''

The Celtics met briefly this afternoon to watch some film, knowing that the message for tomorrow was already pretty clear. Up 3-0 on the Miami Heat, this is a series they want to put away now.

"You don’t win anything if you get four in the first round," Ray Allen said. "Winning three games doesn’t mean anything either. You can’t go around and be fuzzy because you’ve won a couple of games. We have to make sure that we follow through because it is a process. It’s like running a marathon. You’re not done until you cross the finish line. So we have a finish line and we have to cross it."

Will the Heat throw the kitchen sink at them with their season on life support? That's Celtics expect nothing less.

"You have to anticipate this game is going to be like a desperation game, just all out for them," Kevin Garnett said. "That’s what we’re anticipating. Nothing more, nothing less from them."

Having won three games three different way, the Celtics have looked like a different team than the one that battled inconsistency throughout the regular season.

"I think we’ve done a great job of focusing on individual games, one at a time," Garnett said. "We haven’t looked past or done any of the idiotic things to lose focus. I think we’ve done a really, really good job of coming in and executing and knowing the gameplan for that particular game and going out and displaying it."

Points	Pierce	32	Wade	34
Rebounds	Perkins	12	Haslem	8
Assists	Rondo	8	Wade	8
Steals	Rondo, Tony Allen	2	O'Neal, Wade	2

First quarter, Heat 29-27
Dwyane Wade tallied 15 points but the Heat also get contributions from the bench (12 points) as Miami leads by as many as 5 in the quarter and tries to make a statement. Paul Pierce scores 9 in the quarter while Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo each add 6. The key was Michael Beasley and Quentin Richardson each picked up two quick fouls.

Halftime, Heat 49-48
Celtics actually threaten to pull away with a 10-0 run and a 39-31 lead but the Heat's complementary players spark a 12-4 run. Mario Chalmers makes an impact with six points and Richardson adds 5. Wade doesn't score in the period. Dorell Wright ends the half with a 3-pointer to complete Miami's run for a 1-point lead.

Third quarter, Celtics 80-72
In a preview of the final play, Pierce begins to take over with the last 9 points of the quarter as the Celtics end the quarter on an 11-2 run for an 8-point lead. Pierce and Allen each score 11 points in the quarter while Wade counters with 13, nine of those on 3-pointers. Wade appears to be cramping, so he starts depending on outside shots instead of taking that ball to the basket.

Final Celtics 100-98
Heat go on a 20-11 run and pass the Celtics with two Dorell Wright free throws for a 92-91 lead with 3:45 left and the game turns into a Celtics classic. Pierce ties the game with a free throw and Udonis Haslem counters with a jumper. Allen puts the Celtics ahead with a 3-pointer with 2:30 left and after a Haslem free throw ties the game, Allen puts the Celtics up 98-95 with a 3-pointer. Wright evens the game at 98 with 1:29 left. Each team misses two chances to go ahead before Pierce's 21-footer to win it. Celtics lead series 3-0.

Final, Celtics 100-98
Paul Pierce drains 21 footer at buzzer and the Celtics take 3-0 lead in series. Pierce worked clock down and then sunk jumper in face of Dorell Wright.

Fourth quarter, 11.7 Tied at 98
Ray Allen misses a 3-pointer and a cramping Dwyane Wade then launches 3-pointer that clangs off rim and falls to the floor writhing in pain. Paul Pierce grabs rebound and Celtics have chance to win.

Fourth quarter, 46.0 Tied at 98
Udonis Haslem ties the game with one free throw and Paul Pierce counters with a 3-pointer. Dorell Wright, having his best game of the series, counters with a 3-ball of his own to tie. Both teams trade defensive stops and Celtics call time out with the ball and 23 seconds on shot clock. Look for a 2-for-1 play.

Fourth quarter, 2:10 Celtics 95-94
Heat finish 8-1 run with two Dorell Wright free throws for 1-point lead and extend lead to two with Udonis Haslem jumper. Ray Allen strikes back with 3-pointer and Kendrick Perkins fouls Haslem, who will go to the line for two free throws.

Fourth quarter, 5:55 Celtics 89-84
Celtics trying to hold on but Michael Beasley has finally decided to step up and make a difference. He has eight of his 16 points in the fourth quarter. The Celtics are a couple of stops from taking control but the Heat have the ball following a Kendrick Perkins offensive foul.

Fourth quarter, 9:57 Celtics 85-76
Celtics trading baskets with Heat, which is good for them since they have the lead. Paul Pierce has turned on to his A-game with a 3-pointer that forced Miami coach Erik Spoelstra to call time out. Dwyane Wade leads Miami with 28.

End of third quarter, Celtics 80-72
Celtics finish third quarter with flurry, thanks to Paul Pierce, who scored the last nine points of an 11-2 run to end the quarter. Dwyane Wade is furious, having picked up a technical after being called for a defensive foul on Pierce. Wade claims Pierce pushed him off. Look for Wade to look for his shot even more in the fourth quarter. he's angry.

Third quarter, 3:02, Heat 68-67
You get the feeling this game is going down to the final minutes as neither team can take a comfortable lead. Dwyane Wade has 24 points, the only Heat player in double figures. Rajon Rondo has 15 for Celtics.

Third quarter, 6:18, Celtics 62-61
Both teams have started off firing and the Celtics are hanging in because of two Ray Allen 3-pointers and two Kevin Garnett jumpers. Celtics are on a 6-0 run highlighted by a steal of Dwyane Wade by Rajon Rondo and a Rondo dunk. Line of the night: Kendrick Perkins 0 points (0 for 4), 10 rebounds, 4 turnovers.

Halftime Heat 49-48
Heat end second quarter on an 18-9 run and the positive for Miami is that Dwyane Wade did not score in the period. Dorell Wright has 9 points and Mario Chalmers has 6. The Celtics are shooting 46 percent and are getting solid performances from Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo but Rondo has three fouls.

Second quarter, 5:23 Celtics 41-38
Celtics run off 10 straight points for a 39-31 lead but the Heat have scored seven of the next nine points to slice the lead. The Celtics are shooting nearly 54 percent from the field while Miami is at 50.

Second quarter, 9:30 Celtics 33-31
The Celtics have used four points from Rajon Rondo and a jumper from Rasheed Wallace to take a 2-point lead. Rondo has 10 points, 3 assists and one steal. Udonis Haslem has hit all three of his shots.

End of first quarter, Heat 29-27
The Celtics are staying close despite the Heat making all the momentum plays including two alley-oop dunks by Dwyane Wade and Dorell Wright. Wade has 15 points but the rest of the Heat are 6 for 15 from the field. The Celtics are led by Paul Pierce's 9 points and Rajon Rondo has 6.

First quarter, 2:39, Heat 21-18
The Celtics are off to a cold shooting start (6 for 16) but they are hanging in while the Heat remains a one-man team (Dwyane Wade has 11 points) and no production from the point guard.

First quarter, 5:58, Tied at 10
Dwyane Wade has eight of the 10 Miami points and the rest of the Heat players are 1 for 7 from the field. The Celtics are 4 for 12 and are playing a more up-tempo game. The atmosphere is not exactly daunting for the Celtics. The lower bowl is about 70 percent full.

First quarter, 6:43, Celtics 9-6
The AAA is not exactly jumping yet with the arena about 65 percent full. And Dwyane Wade has scored 4 of the 6 points for the Heat. Kevin Garnett is getting booed each time he touches the ball.

Your friendly neighborhood commissioner peeked his head in at American Airlines Arena, partly to catch a game but also to continue to push his latest message to players and coaches: Shut up.

Some highlights:

On coaches working the refs:

“Every so often, you reach an inflection point and I just get the sense that coaches feel that they are not doing their job right unless they’re saying something that’s going to influence the referees for some additional call rather than just escalating the fines, I think it was a good idea that they stopped.”

On Doc Rivers in particular

“Doc has tried to elevate it to an art form,” Stern said. “And although it may work a little bit, he may wrap it in some high-flown language, coaches who do that – when you have 30 coaches doing it – it sends a very bad message.”

On Rivers saying it's a coach's job to fight for players.

“It’s a coach’s job to comply with the rules, and within the rules, you do what you can. A coach always coaches up to the limit of – and maybe a little [more]. And some coaches are better than others at that.”

On the Celtics giving so much money in fines

“We’d rather actually forego the money.”

... where the Celtics have to reasons to stay focused and the Heat have two reasons to believe this series isn't halfway done just yet.

Last night, the eighth seeds in both conferences stunned the top dogs in crucial Game 3s. Chicago beat Cleveland, although Joakim Noah had to literally put LeBron James in the Scorpion Death Drop to keep James off the glass and essentially seal up the Bulls' win. Oklahoma City refused to let the Lakers spoil a night where they were playing their first home postseason game in franchise history. It was also the night where Scott Brooks accepted coach of the year. His smartest move of the night draping Kevin Durant on Kobe Bryant, stifling Mamba and giving the Thunder their first win in the series in comeback fashion.

That said, the Celtics know that even though they lead 2-0 they have the mental edge over the Heat, everything changes once a series swings to the other team's home floor.

"Game 3s are Game 3s," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said, "Miami has yet to have a home game. We’ve had two, we’ve done our job, but I don’t consider ourselves up in the series. I consider that we won our two home games. Now we have to come to play. If the two games didn't prove that, nothing will."

Both Rivers and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said their teams caught last nigh'ts upsets. The American Airlines crowd will obviously be amped for their playoff opener, but Spoelstra said "We want to take advantage of the energy and enthusiasm and passion, but again, how long is that going to last. That can't just be temporary because of the atmosphere here."

The league went all Micky Gordon yesterday, handing out fines like parking tickets. Then, in a press conference before the Lakers-Thunder game, NBA commissioner David Stern was so fed up with coaches criticizing officials that he threatened suspensions for anyone who felt the need to speak their mind any further. Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who was fined earlier in the year for arguing with officials in a loss to Atlanta, agreed with Stern to an extent, but said it's easy for Stern to be level-headed from his office.

"It’s a competitive game," Rivers said. "I think it’s a lot easier from the stands. It’s easy to be calm and collected. But coaches fight for their players, they fight for their team. That’s what you get hired for. So that’s what you’re going to do ... I think David is half right on that one. Sometimes we do know, but I think sometimes we really are defending our guys. I think everybody’s on the league side at the end of the day. Listen, I’ve been a league guy for 20-whatever years. I love this league, and I want this league to do well. I don’t think any coach doesn’t want the league to do well. Having said that, the coach’s job is to do what he can to help the team win."

Rasheed Wallace was docked another $35,000 by the NBA for comments he made after Game 1 criticizing game officials. Wallace drew two fouls in two minutes in Game 1, and he said he knew officials were trying to bait him into a technical. “At times I know they’re out there baiting me like the other night in Game 1 with those two quick fouls,’’ Wallace said. “I know that certain referees were trying to bait me to get a tech. You could see it coming from a mile away. Like I say, I don’t like to be cheated. I can deal with a loss. I can deal with playing bad. I can deal with getting my [butt] busted. I just don’t like to be cheated. Bottom line.’’

Star treatment being his pet peeve, he also warned of the "Wade Factor" in the Celtics series against the Heat. “That’s one thing I always try to tell the guys,’’ Wallace said. “We also have to look out for the Wade factor. You know how that is, with the TV ratings and all this. Not taking away or saying that he’s not a good player, don’t get me wrong, but I mean, come on. You know what it is. It’s about the business game as opposed to the basketball game.’’

Fine money goes to charity, and in that sense, Wallace has been the most generous Celtic this season, donating a total of $100,000. For anyone wondering, the fine makes it $1,000 for every minute he's played this postseason. Orlando's Matt Barnes and Stan Van Gundy in on the fun, also throwing in $35,000 each this afternoon for taking digs at the refs.

If Quentin Richardson's a marked man in Boston, it's a safe bet Miami won't have a lot of love for Kevin Garnett come Friday night, but Doc Rivers didn't think that was such a bad thing. Having sat out the Celtics' Game 2 blowout last night, Rivers was already expecting Garnett to be in fire-breathing-dragon mode. But if being the heel at American Airlines Arena gives him extra motivation, so be it.

"I don’t know if he can get more fired up in a game," Rivers said. "That’s just who he is and we want him to stay that way. It’s important for him to play with that edge. And I think he’ll love being the villain because I think he enjoys that anyway on the road. Actually, I think most players enjoy that pretty much."

Garnett hasn't been winning popularity contests lately, with Joakim Noah the most vocal hater. But he's been Public Enemy No. 1 in a couple different arenas. Miami will be nothing new.

"I don’t expect any of us to get any cheers down there and I’m no different from that," Garnett said. "I’m not saying I’m the villain or the hero. I could care less. I’ve played on the road before. Hell I played in San Antonio and I know they hate me there for whatever reasons. So this should be no different."

Points	Allen	25	Wade	29
Rebounds	Perkins	9	Beasley	7
Assists	Rondo	12	Wade	5
Steals	Rondo, Williams	2	Richardson	2

First quarter, Tied at 23
Celtics lead by as many as 9 in the opening quarter but Miami responds with a 13-4 run, including two 3-pointers by Mario Chalmers and one from the unpopular Quentin Richardson. Glen Davis and Kendrick Perkins combine for 12 points and seven rebounds in the quarter.

Second quarter, Celtics 49-33
The Celtics outscore the Heat 26-10 in the quarter, most of that on a 21-0 run that really decided the game. Miami was 0 for 13 from the field during the Celtics run and 4 for 20 overall. The Celtics received 8 points each from Ray Allen and Glen Davis and outrebounded the Heat 15-5 in the period.

Third quarter, Celtics 85-59
The Heat used two Michael Beasley buckets to cut the lead to 51-37 and then the Celtics go on an 18-0 run. So if you are counting at home the Celtics went on a 44-8 run in the second and third quarters and not even Dwyane Wade could bring the Heat back. Ray Allen scored 17 points in the quarter, 15 of those were on 3-pointers.

Final, Celtics 106-77
It was garbage time for the entire quarter but the Celtics didn't fall into sloppy habits and Doc Rivers was able to get Nate Robinson and Marquis Daniels into the game to get some confidence. The Celtics cruise to an impressive win without Kevin Garnett and head to Miami for Game 3.

Final, Celtics 106-77
Celtics are never threatened as cruise to a victory as convincing as they have had in years. Ray Allen finished with 25 and Glen Davis 23 while Rajon Rondo added 8 points and 12 assists. Dwyane Wade finished with 29 for Miami. The rest of the Heat players were 17 for 58 from the field.

Fourth quarter, 5:52, Celtics 99-66
The Celtics haven't even let Miami make a big run and Gino is warming up backstage as the Celtics prepare to head to south Florida ahead 2-0. The Celtics are out-rebounding the Heat 45-24, a major sign of disinterest for Miami.

Fourth quarter, 9:02, Celtics 97-64
Celtics not letting up on Miami and they are 11 for 14 from the 3-point line, including 7 for 9 from Ray Allen. Dwyane Wade has 29 for the Heat, who look uninterested and lethargic.

End of third quarter, Celtics 85-59
The Celtics use a 20-4 run to begin the third period to put major distance between them and Miami and now they have to hold on to a big lead in the fourth quarter. Ray Allen leads Boston with 25 points and Glen Davis has 23 and eight rebounds. Dwyane Wade has 26 points and the next highest Heat player has eight.

Third quarter, 11.8, Celtics 84-59
Boston has led by as many as 33 but Miami is on a 13-5 run and Dwyane Wade has 16 points in the quarter. His teammates are a combined 12 for 43, no wonder why he is considering bolting from south Florida.

Third quarter, 5:59, Celtics 66-37
Consecutive Ray Allen 3-pointers has stretched the lead to 25 and Boston has started the quarter with a 17-4 run and are playing as good as they have in weeks, despite the absence of Kevin Garnett.

Third quarter, 8:29, Celtics 56-37
The Celtics are on a 5-0 run, including a Glen Davis jumper for his 17th point and the Celtics are avoiding any Miami run.

Halftime, Celtics 49-33
The Celtics go on an improbable 21-0 run from the 9:21 mark to the 2:28 mark and led by as many as 17 in the quarter. Miami was 4 for 20 from the field in the quarter and 0 for 13 during Boston's run. The Celtics are getting help from all sources and Doc Rivers couldn't have dreamed that Glen Davis and Kendrick Perkins would combined for 21 points and 13 rebounds and 0 fouls. The final stat is a huge one.

Second quarter, 2:56, Celtics 44-29
Run has grown out of control (19-0) as the Celtics are taking their time, pounding the ball in the paint and making good decisions off the last break. The Heat are 2 for 15 in the quarter for six points.

Second quarter, 5:11, Celtics 37-29
Heat haven't scored since the 10:10 mark, a span of 3:59 and Glen Davis leads the Celtics with 10 points and five rebounds.

Second quarter, 7:16, Celtics 33-29
Celtics on an 8-0 run, including 3-pointers from Michael Finley and Ray Allen. The good news is the Celtics are doing this despite 38 percent shooting. Jermaine O'Neal promised to be more efficient from the field and is now 1 for 7 with 2 points. So much for efficiency.

Second quarter, 8:54, Heat 29-28
Celtics are staying close despite shooting just 9 for 26 from the field. Miami is at 44 percent and can't pull away and the Celtics are playing solid interior defense. The difference is three 3-pointers for Miami and 8 points for Mario Chalmers.

End of first quarter, Tied at 23
Celtics led most of the quarter but Miami ends quarter on 13-4 run, nine of those points on 3-pointers. The Celtics are shooting just 7 for 22 from the field, so being tied is a good sign but the Celtics have to stop the Heat's 3-point offense. Mario Chalmers has already hit two.

First quarter, 2:35, Celtics 19-16
Celtics had a 9-point lead but the Heat responds with consecutive 3-pointers off late defensive switches to cut the deficit to 3. Quentin Richardson has 5 points and Dwyane Wade has six.

First quarter, 6:30, Celtics 11-6
The Celtics are running effectively and Kendrick Perkins is off to a fast start. Glen Davis also has two points and two rebounds.

First quarter, 7:54, Celtics 10-4
The Celtics have started off with energy and Glen Davis has one rebound, two points and is 0 for 2 from the field. Dwyane Wade is 0 for 1 and Quentin Richardson is getting booed every time he touches the ball.

Learning that New Jersey Nets president Rod Thorn was reportedly interested in Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau, the Celtics were glad to hear their assistant's name was one of the first mentioned as the coaching carousel begins to turn.

Rivers, who started by saying he doesn't normally talk about coaching opportunities, said, "It's great. I want all my assistants to be head coaches. Some of them have been interviewed, just none of them have gotten jobs yet. Hopefully someday they get a job."

Thibodeau has been Rivers' associate head coach the past three seasons, working largely as the engineer of a defense that's been regarded as one of the best in the league. He's been an assistant for seven different teams, but never a head coach though he was a rumored candidate for jobs in New York and Chicago.

"It's great for him," said Ray Allen. "You get to the end of the year and you've got a coach that?s worked very hard and he's been in this system where he's gotten us [to this point]. He doesn't get the wins. It's almost like we've got to push him out the door at some point, because he's been successful with what we've been doing here and we'd like to see him grow even more. I encourage him. You always like to see guys here. But if I?m a head coach or if I'm a player I'm like that's great to be able to have your own ship.

"You do look at the perspective from both ways. Being an assistant you don't have to worry about the big decisions. You don't have to worry about the axe falling on you if something doesn't go right. But at the same time you want that responsibility. So it can go but after a matter of time, your own ship."

... where the Celtics will have to try to win without their most important player.

The Celtics will have to cope with the loss of Kevin Garnett, suspended for tonight's game after Saturday night's scuffle. Glen Davis will start in his place according to Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo.

As Perkins' said, the Celtics might miss Garnett's 14 points per night, but "we can't worry about making up for him on offense. We've got to worry about making up for him on defense."

Some things, however, just won be the same, particularly the chemistry Perkins and Garnett had on the defensive end.

"I think me and KG got a connection on the defensive end where we don't even have to talk to each other and we know we've got each other's back," Perkins said. "If he goes and helps, he knows I'm going to be there. If I go help, I know he's going to be there. With Baby, we've just got to talk more. Me and Baby are on the same page also, but not as me and KG are. So we've just got to talk more and make sure we're in the same position."

One sign of Garnett's value is the way opponents' scoring average jumps when he's off the floor (94.9 in the 71 games he was uninjured, 99.7 in the 11 games he missed with injury). The Celtics have confidence in Davis, who filled in for Garnett in last year's playoffs, but he's a different player. What gives him an edge over Rasheed Wallace is his ability to possibly guard the Heat's Michael Beasley a bit more effectively.

"KG was injured, [Davis] stepped in," Perkins said. "He wasn't KG but he did a good job. They're two different types of players. We've got full trust in Baby. I know he'll do what he's got to do tonight. The good thing about it is, we don't have to survive the whole playoffs without KG. It's just one game."

Speaking at shootaround this morning, Kendrick Perkins said Glen Davis would get the start tonight for the Celtics in place of the suspended Kevin Garnett.

"It is Baby," Perkins said. "Baby's been there before. We've got trust in Baby. He's going to come out, he's going to play hard, he's going to do what he's got to do."

With interim coach Kiki Vandeweghe going back to general managing duties with the Nets, New Jersey's started the search for a new head coach and Celtics associate head coach Thom Thibodeau has piqued the interest of Nets team president Rod Thorn, according to Julian Garcia of the New York Daily News:

Thorn hinted the Nets will likely reach out to former Knicks assistant Tom Thibodeau, who is currently associate head coach to Doc Rivers in Boston.

One of the most respected assistants in the league, Thibodeau's name comes up regularly whenever a head coaching job is available, and sources say that he would be interested in the job. Without naming him, Thorn revealed several reasons why Thibodeau could be a perfect fit in New Jersey, including the fact the Nets are looking for "somebody who has a defensive presence."

Thibodeau is considered one of the top defensive minds in the game. During his years as Jeff Van Gundy's assistant with the Knicks and the Rockets, both teams were among the stingiest in the league. The Celtics have also been a top defensive team during Thibodeau's three seasons in Boston.

[NY Daily News via Reds Army]

Doc Rivers didn't want to say who he'd put on the floor in place of the suspended Kevin Garnett. Glen Davis was working with the starting unit during the portion of practice open to the media. However, Rasheed Wallace was also in the huddle while Rivers explained plays.

Wallace has nearly 200 games worth of postseason experience, and was brought in as an insurance policy for Garnett. Davis averaged 15.8 points a night, blossoming in last-year's playoffs with Garnett out because of a season-ended knee injury.

Rajon Rondo said, "I think Baby’s starting, but we’ve just got to get the job done. Baby’s ready to play, Rasheed’s ready to play, so is Shelden [Williams]."

Wallace had one of his best night's this season, a 16-point nine-rebound fill-in job for Garnett who sat out the Celtics 112-106 win over the Heat Jan. 6 with a hyperextended right knee.

"We’re all interchangeable," Davis said. "I’ve been lucky to have experience in the playoffs at a starting position. Sheed’s been blessed enough to be in this league successful at the power forward position. So any one of us can really start. It all depends on how the coach wants it."

Knowing they've beaten the Heat without Garnett, gives the Celtics some confidence, they aren't leaning on that win.

"It’s funny you have Kevin out and we have played them one time without Kevin and we did well. So that gives us a little bit of confidence. But it’s a whole different game obviously now. It’s played at a higher level than that game was played, so we have to be ready."

Kevin Garnett practiced today with the Celtics' second team and then addressed the media in reaction to his Game 2 suspension for elbowing Miami's Quentin Richardson in Boston's 85-76 Game 1 win on Saturday.

He appeared to accept the decision and was rather lighthearted during the 4-minute session.

"I wasn't surprised at all to be honest," he said. "I told my man Jeff Twiss (Celtics PR man) this morning when we talked I just want the message to be done. Obviously, I want all of this to be over with. The message here is that whoever it is, my teammates, Doc Rivers, anybody in this organization, I want them to know I got their backs. My elbow wasn't deliberate. But the league does what it has to do to set a tone and I respect and now it's time to move on and get back to a wonderful series."

FULL ENTRY

Stu Jackson, NBA executive vice president of basketball operations, explained his decision in an e-mail to the Globe, also laying out why Richardson was fined rather than also losing a game.

"Garnett was suspended for throwing an elbow that struck the head of Richardson," Jackson wrote. "This action is analogous to a player throwing a punch that connects. By rule a player [who] swings his hand (with an open or closed fist), whether or not the hand connects, will be automatically suspended for a minimum of one game."

"The foregoing also applies to comparable methods of striking or attempting to strike another player (e.g., “head butting” or elbowing above the shoulders). This is the reason for his suspension."

"Richardson's actions played a role by precipitating the altercation that followed (e.g. verbal exchange with Garnett)," Jackson said. "These actions warranted a fine. Also besides Richardson's verbal exchange, his grabbing of Garnett was considered. However, both these actions warrranted a fine, not a suspension."

The NBA wasted little time in handing down a one-game suspension for Kevin Garnett, announcing the penalty Sunday night, leaving the Celtics without their leader for Tuesday's Game 2 against Miami. Garnett elbowed Quentin Richardson in the face in a melee near the Miami bench at the end of the Celtics' 85-76 win in Game 1 Saturday night.

Richardson gets a $25,000 fine.

Here is the statement from the league:

NEW YORK, April 18, 2010 – Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics has been
suspended without pay for one game for striking the Miami Heat’s Quentin
Richardson in the head with an elbow, it was announced today by Stu
Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations. Richardson
has been fined $25,000 for his role in the altercation.

The incident occurred with 40 seconds remaining in the fourth period of the
Celtics’ 85-76 victory over the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference
First Round on Saturday at TD Garden.

Garnett will serve his suspension Tuesday when the Celtics face the Heat in
Game 2 at TD Garden.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers sounded more like a lawyer than a doctor.

He had finally seen the evidence from the night before, footage of his all-star forward Kevin Garnett caught in wave of chaos in front of the Miami Heat bench. He defended Garnett, who found himself in the situation after trying to protect a fallen Paul Pierce and wound up in an altercation with Quentin Richardson. But what struck Rivers was Quentin Richardson was there to begin with.

"He had no business over there," Rivers said. "We had a guy on the floor injured. There was no reason for him to be there. And then, going by all reports, not only just the crowding, but it was the taunting. You’ve got a guy injured on the floor, I don’t think you should be standing over him [telling him] to get up and I can’t even use the words he used.''

Garnett wound up throwing an elbow that caught Richardson solidly in the face. Now, with the NBA looking into the incident, the Celtics have to prepare for the possibility Garnett being suspended for Game 2 Tuesday night at the Garden.

"In Kevin’s case, when I watched it I looked at it differently. Live, I couldn’t tell because I hadn’t seen it, but just watching it to me, he was just clearing space, it wasn’t a punch and I don’t think he knew what someone was behind him. But it happened. So let’s hope for the best. That’s all we can do."

Garnett said he didn't regret his actions but acknowledged that as a veteran and a key piece on a Celtics team trying to reach the Finals, he had to control his emotions. Having played big games in his absence, the Celtics said they'd be ready if he had to miss Tuesday's game.

"We better be," Rivers said.

"If he has to sit out then we just have to go out and play," said Paul Pierce. "That’s out of my hands to determine that. If he’s there that’s great, if not we’ve got guys that can step up."

Dwight Howard was suspended for one game in last year's playoffs for elbowing Samuel Dalembert, but Garnett's case is different.

"We’ve seen worse," Rivers said. "but this is a tough one because it’s a clear case that one guy kind of started [it]. So it’ll be interesting how they view that one."

The Heat's Quentin Richardson's made it clear how he feels about Paul Pierce, but a day after finding himself at the bottom of a swarm of players pushing and shoving around him, Pierce decided not to fuel an already volatile situation.

"It’s just been nothing but talk really," said Pierce. "I’m not going to get into that he say, she say."

Pierce and Richardson have history that goes back to 2008 when they were both thrown out of the a game on Martin Luther King Day. When Pierce went down with a pain in his shoulder in the final minute of the Celtics' 85-76 Game 1 win, Richardson essentially said he was faking and after the game called Pierce and Kevin Garnett "actresses."

"I don’t get paid to act," Pierce said. "I get paid to play basketball."

Asked if he expected the jawing to continue, Pierce said, "We’re matched up together. What I expect is us to play basketball."

Pierce chose not to respond to Richardson's insults.

"The only thing I can do is respond with my play," Pierce said. "Regardless of what anybody says or anybody does to me, I’m just going to respond with my play."

Gary Washburn caught up with Quentin Richardson, who said he's talked to the NBA about his part in the mess that led to the chaotic ending of last night's 85-76 Celtics win. He said he wasn't warned of any possible punishment. He reiterated, however, his feelings about Paul Pierce and the Celtics.

To follow Gary Washburn go to @gwashburn14

Losing control of his emotions and igniting a last-minute melee in the Celtics' 85-76 Game 1 win over the Heat last night, Kevin Garnett now finds himself waiting to see what the league will decide about his fate for Game 2.

The possibility of a suspension looms and after taking a day to remove himself from the situation, Garnett said he doesn't regret what happened, but he has to control his emotions.

"I would hope that if I was hurt or if I was down in that position someone would at least give me some sort of space to recover or to gather myself. That’s all I was asking for. Nothing more, nothing less."

"I would just say you can't let your emotions get the best of you. You have to sort of bite down a little bit and understand the situation your in. But it’s an emotional game. It’s a very high-intensity game. Everybody’s playing with those same high emotions on both sides and it’s aggressive out there. At some point you have to be in control of yourself."

A year ago when the Celtics and Bulls were going at each others throats, Joakim Noah told WEEI's Jessica Camerato how his view of the all-star forward he had once idolized had changed once Noah entered the league.

After hearing about the mayhem at the end of last night's game, Noah made his opinion of Kevin Garnett even clearer.

From K.C. Jones of the Chicago Tribune:

"I'm going to say it: He's a dirty player," Noah said following Bulls practice Sunday.

Asked if he felt Garnett should be suspended, Noah went even stronger with his criticism.

"I don't make the decisions," Noah said. "But he's always swinging elbows. I'm hurting right now because of an elbow he threw. It's unbelievable. He's a dirty player. It's one thing to be competitive and compete. But don't be a dirty player. He's a dirty player.
"That's messed up. I'm really excited about that [Heat-Celtics] series. It's going to be fun. I hope they put [Jamaal] Magloire in."

Magloire is a rarely used big man for the Heat, with the obvious implication that he would foul Garnett hard.

"He knows what he's doing," Noah said. "It's messed up. It's wrong. It's not right. And then after that to say ... whatever, I shouldn't even be talking about this stuff. It's crazy."

Don’t label Michael Beasley as the typical young, brazen, tattooed, arrogant baller that has epitomized the NBA in recent years. He’s just tattooed.

His matchup with Kevin Garnett could be the determining factor in the Celtics’ best-of-7 series with the Miami Heat. Beasley is the Heat’s hulking power forward, a left-handed bull with a smooth jump shot and the agility and athleticism of a shooting guard.

He entered the NBA at age 19, struggled with maturity and the idiosyncrasies of the professional game and then suffered a mental breakdown last summer that required rehabilitation. His second year has been improved but the Heat has been troubled by his maddening inconsistency. Beasley, 20, is a kid in man’s body playing a man’s game.

His immaturity makes him a perfect victim for Garnett’s game-long, trash-talking exhibition that had rattled many a young power forward over the past few years.

Yet, when Garnett was asked about Beasley on Friday, he had nothing but compliments.

“Beasley’s one of the more difficult matchups in this league,” Garnett said. “Obviously he’s left-handed but he can go right-handed. He finishes strong. He’s powerful. He has the youth element on his side but at the same time he’s aggressive. He believes in his game and his craft and he’s effective with it.”

Beasley has had confidence issues in his short NBA career and hasn’t exactly heard to such compliments from Garnett during their intense battles. So when told that Garnett said just flattering things about him, Beasley took his each tattooed finger of his right hand and strummed his chin in confusion.

“He said that, for real?” Beasley asked.

Then disbelieving assistant coach Keith Askins chimed in, “He’s just trying to psych you out, pull those Jedi Mind Tricks on you.”

“Yeah, Beasley said, “that’s what he’s trying to do.”

Beasley seeks to prove he is beyond Garnett’s mental games and this could determine whether he develops into a viable second option behind Dwyane Wade. Beasley averaged 12 points and just over five rebounds in three games against the Celtics this season.

In the Nov. 29 matchup, Beasley scored 11 straight points to begin the fourth quarter as Miami led 76-72. He didn’t score again for the final eight minutes as Garnett increased his defensive pressure and likely added a few words of discouragement for his young counterpart.

Several opposing players said Garnett’s words test your manhood and challenge your composure. And the moment you lose you cool and bark in his face, he’s won the war. Beasley is determined to keep his focus. When he does, he is one of the better young players in the game.

“It’s war with him, it’s no fun and games,” Beasley said. “There’s no laughing. He’s a respect guy. He tries to guard you early and see your reaction, pretty much play the rest of the game like that.”

It takes a savvy player to withstand Garnett’s verbal punishment and concentrate on making plays. When Beasley ignores the teasing, Garnett keeps digging and Beasley admits the banter has angered and offended him.

“I’m a man,” he said. “I still look up to him, I still look up to his whole career and everything he’s brought to the game but at the same time, I am a man.”

Garnett is not the player he once was, but he does have the ability to dominate his duel with Beasley because of his defensive prowess and outside game that will force the youngster to guard the perimeter.

This series could transform Beasley into a star or trade bait. If he flourishes, he becomes an untouchable piece in the Heat’s retooling plan. If he falters, the organization could easily package him in a sign-and-trade deal to clear cap space to chase Chris Bosh. At 20 years old, a time when most kids are still learning how not to burn microwave popcorn, Beasley is facing a career crossroads.

Wade respects his teammates talents and probably understands Beasley’s importance to the Heat’s success more than he does.

“I don’t know if he understands how valuable he can be,” the All-Star said. “And (the Celtics) are going to try to come at him. There’s no question about it. Garnett is going to try to use what he has to get an edge over Michael. He’s going to come at him and try to rattle him a little bit. This is the time of year he has to grow up. This could be a series that (affects) the rest of his career. He’s got to grow up.”

And part of that growing process is either ignoring Garnett or using his words as positive motivation. Part of the mental aspect of basketball is knowing when to let your play do the talking and when to command respect. Beasley is still learning how critical the mental game is to long-term success. Part of the process is remaining focused against Garnett, perhaps the biggest challenge of Beasley’s brief career.

“There’s a fine line,” Wade said, having already endured the gamut of mental challenges. “Because at one end, you can’t let anybody just talk to you anyway they want. You are a man. The ego is going to pop out. At the other end, that’s not (Beasley’s) game. That’s Garnett’s game. He can’t get into that. Let the ball speak for him. That’s what Michael needs to do.”

Points	Pierce	16	Wade	26
Rebounds	Garnett	9	O'Neal	9
Assists	Rondo	10	Wade	6
Steals	T. Allen	3	Wade	3

End of first quarter, Heat 29-28
Each team shoots over 50 percent and the Heat players besides Dwyane Wade score 19 points on 7 for 16 shooting. Tony Allen keeps the Celtics close with 8 points and he converts a layup at the buzzer to cut the deficit to one.

Halftime, Heat 44-41
The Celtics shoot 28 percent in the quarter and score just 13 points but their defense begins to make a statement and holds Miami to 15. Rajon Rondo hits a layup at the buzzer and the Celtics feel lucky to trail by just three. Paul Pierce records one free throw in 8:43 in the second quarter while Ray Allen takes half of Boston's 14 shots and misses five of them.

End of third quarter, Heat 66-64
Heat actually led 61-47 and the Boston faithful grew impatient but the Celtics used Pierce and a couple of key buckets by Kevin Garnett to end the quarter on a 17-5 run, Miami scored 5 points in the final 7:03 of the period and Wade is silent.

Final, Celtics 85-76
The run grows to 32-10 and the lead reaches as many as 10 as the Celtics shut down the overwhelmed Heat, which played about 1 1/2 solid quarters. With 40 seconds left, Kevin Garnett and Quentin Richardson get into a scuffle when Richardson approaches Paul Pierce, who is lying on the floor near the Heat bench writhing in pain. Garnett's ejection doesn't haunt the Celtics and they end the game on a 38-15 run.

Kevin Garnett has been ejected from the Celtics-Heat playoff game after getting into a scuffle near the Miami bench with 40 seconds left and the Celtics ahead 81-75. Garnett was attending to Paul Pierce, who was injured in front of the Miami bench. Quentin Richardson came over to apparently see if Pierce was OK and Garnett took offense to Richardson getting so close to his teammate. Garnett gave Richardson an elbow and pushing began. Garnett received two technicals and was ejected.

Dwyane Wade hit the technical free throw and the Heat cut the Celtics lead to 81-75.

Final, Celtics 85-76
The Celtics literally fight to get this win with a spirited defensive effort and 22 points combined from Tony Allen and Glen Davis. Celtics win this one ugly and that how it goes in the playoffs.

Fourth quarter, 15.8, Celtics 85-76
Celtics get two key stops and then a steal and are closing to sealing the Game 1 win. Glen Davis has been significant with 8 points and 8 rebounds.

Fourth quarter, 40.0, Celtics 81-75
Fireworks have ensured as Paul Pierce gets hurt on a sidelines play and is on the near in front of the Heat bench when Kevin Garnett and Quentin Richardson get into a scuffle when Richardson tries to get too close to Pierce and pushing and shoving occur between Garnett, Richardson, Glen Davis and Udonis Haslem. The Heat will have the ball.

Fourth quarter, 2:55, Celtics 79-71
Celtics on a 32-10 run since 7:03 of the third quarter. These are the kind of runs that usually happen to them. But they have turned this game completely around with defense and balanced scoring. Paul Pierce has 16 points and Kevin Garnett 15 points. Dwyane Wade has 21 points but just 10 in the second half and 3 in the fourth quarter.

Fourth quarter, 5:24, Celtics 76-71
The Celtics are on a 29-10 run and are playing their best defense in months, quite literally. Tony Allen has 14 points off the bench and is the early X-factor. Jermaine O'Neal was an early factor but he is 3 for 14 for 8 points. Kendrick Perkins has sat most of the second half and Rasheed Wallace and Glen Davis have played well.

Fourth quarter, 9:17, Celtics 71-68
Boston takes its first lead since 32-31 with 8:03 left in the second period with a 7-0 run. Most impressive about Boston's 24-7 run over two periods is its defense. The Celtics are forcing the Heat into bad shots. However, Miami has Dwyane Wade and he has 20 points and has been rather quiet during this run. Expect that to change.

End of third quarter, Heat 66-64
The Celtics showed they weren't going to wilt away by ending the quarter on a 17-5 run and making some key defensive adjustments that forced Miami into bad shots. Paul Pierce scored 11 of his 16 points in the quarter. Dwyane Wade has 20 points.

Third quarter, 2:32, Heat 63-60
Celtics on a 13-2 run, sparked by Paul Pierce, who has returned from a quiet first half with a vengeance. His 3-pointer, the Celtics' first of the game, has made this interesting and the Celtics have responded defensively to Quentin Richardson, who hit three 3-pointers. They are now forcing him to drive to the basket and that is not his game.

Third quarter, 5:40, Heat 61-51
Celtics in desperate mode, trying not to let this one slip away after Miami went on a 17-6 run to begin the second half. The Heat is shutting down the Celtics defensively, an aspect many did not consider. Boston has scored three buckets in the past 1:46 and may have something brewing.

Third quarter, 9:36, Heat 51-43
Heat on a 7-0 run after Celtics score first basket of the period. Kendrick Perkins is struggling. He has just one rebound in 19 minutes and allowed Dwyane Wade to tip-jam over him for an 8-point lead.

Halftime, Heat 44-41
Celtics are lucky to be down three after the second quarter they just produced. They were 4 for 14 from the field and scored 13 points. Luckily they held the Heat to 15 and are still within striking distance. The Big Three is 5 for 16 from the field and Ray Allen is 2 for 7 and has missed all four 3-pointers.

Second quarter, 21.5, Heat 44-39
Celtics are on one of their customary cold streaks (3 for 13 in the second quarter) and are trying to keep it close until they warm up again. Miami has a 22-15 rebounding advantage and 9 second-chance points.

Second quarter, 5:42, Heat 35-32
Celtics have gone cold from the field, starting the second quarter 1 for 7 as the Heat has attacked the boards and is trying to build a lead in this see-saw game. Jermaine O'Neal has already taken 10 shots and Dwyane Wade just five, meaing Wade will try to close this one out if it's close down the stretch.

Second quarter, 8:43, Tied at 31-31
The Celtics are holding down Wade from taking over and the rest of the Heat players are starting to miss shots. But the Celtics are too. Glen Davis has missed two layups and been blocked on another. The Heat have obviously scouted Davis and know that he pump fakes before taking any layup. Pierce and Rondo back in the game for Boston.

End of first quarter, Heat 29-28
Miami has come to play and its secondary players have flourished. Dwyane Wade has 9 points and four Heat players have 4. Tony Allen leads Boston with 8 and has been the reason they are close. His buzzer-beating layup cut the deficit to one.

First quarter, 2:23, Tied at 21
The Heat took a brief 4-point lead but the Celtics responded to Tony Allen, potentially an X-factor, who already has six points, including a streaking dunk off a nice Rajon Rondo pass. Dwyane Wade has seven points while three Heat players have 4.

First quarter, 4:35, Tied at 15
The Celtics have come out with fire but also have missed a few layups while the Heat is staying steady and close. Dwyane Wade has 5 points while Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo each have 4 for the Celtics.

Rajon Rondo will play, though he won't be at 100 percent. Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he would keep an eye on Rondo, giving him rest throughout the night if needed.

Obviously a low energy Rajon is not a good thing for us. We have to have him play, and we talked about it, 'Just play normal, play hard.' And if we have to rest him in shorter spurts then we'll just do that."

... where Game 1 could tell the story.

The Celtics start their playoff run with an opening round series against the Miami Heat. Picked by most to be an underdog -- one-and-done to some extremists or second-round at best by others -- this is the only series in these playoffs where they'll have home-court advantage. Throughout the regular season, the Celtics let everyone from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the New Jersey Nets win games on the parquet. But in the playoffs they'll need to protect their home floor.

As far as what to expect out of Game 1, history isn't the best indicator. The Celtics won all four series openers in their 2008 title run. They lost both of them last year in series with the Bulls and Magic. As a franchise, the Celtics have never lost three straight Game 1s. A team that's been up and down energy-wise throughout the season, will look at tonight's game as a possible barometer for the rest of the postseason.

"I think the first playoff game will tell it," Kendrick Perkins said. "So we've got to wait and see. I know a lot of guys have been in the playoffs so it's not nothing new to them. I've seen guys turn it one when they had to. It's going to be interesting."

Mixed results at the Garden got so bad that the home crowd showered boos on the Celtics on different occasions. Doc Rivers has said that what happens in the regular season washes away once the playoffs start. Even with the fresh start, the importance of this game rings out.

"Every game is important, but Game 1 is important because we're at home," Pierce said. "We've got to play well at home, that's going to be the key for us to really do well, especially here in the first round because that's the only game we have home court advantage. It's definitely a big game for us. All of the games are going to be big for us."

You could argue that in trying to make sure all their piece made it to the postseason, the Celtics backed into the playoffs, losing seven of their last eigtht. Confidence in a team that was projected to be a title contender not only at the start of the season, but also as late as December when they started the year 23-5 has faded on the outside, but that's developed an underdog mentality within the Celtics locker room.

"It kind of makes you play with a chip on your shoulder when guys don't pick you to win it or they pick you as fourth place in the East, which we are right now," Perkins said. "So I think we want to come in and prove a point."

The Heat come into the series having won six of their last seven regular season games. They also have a player in Dwyane Wade, who can snap for 44 (as he did earlier in the year against the Celtics) but says he doesn't need to in order for the Celtics to win. But the Celtics, as they have all season, believe their biggest opponent is themselves.

The Celtics have brought energy to the gym by the caseloads some night. Then, on others, they appeared to be running on their last drops. If Perkins is right, you'll be able to determine how tonight will pay out early.

"You're always excited about the playoffs," Perkins said. "You feel it just the whole atmosphere just pulling up to the Garden. I just want to see our energy level, see where our energy's at at the start of the game, and if it's high then they might be in trouble."

Miami Heat all-star guard Dwyane Wade giggled when asked whether he needed to average in the 40-point per game range for the Heat to beat the Celtics in their best-of-7 first-round playoff series.

"You can't predict that," he said Saturday morning. "You don't know how the game is going to go and how the ball is going to bounce. Do I need be effective in this series for us to win? Yes. But for my game, it's not just about scoring. I can get 20 points and 12, 14 assists and that's just like getting 40 so I don't really worry about what people on the outside say. I know what's made us successful and it hasn't been me scoring 40 points a night."

Wade is correct. The Heat is 9-4 in games where Wade has 10 or more assists. One of those losses was Feb. 3 in Boston when he scored 30 points (on just 16 shots) and collected 13 assists. It was obvious that evening that Wade made it an emphasis to be a distributor. The other four Heat starters all scored in double figures, as did Udonis Haslem.

"That's an ideal game for me," he said. "I'm not one of those guys who wanna get 40 or 50 and get one or two assists. I am more of a 30-10 guy and I would love for that to happen. And at the same time, I know the recipe for success of this team is everybody being involved. And also this team (the Celtics) plays good defense, so they are just not going to let me carve them up anyway so I have to be a facilitator. I got to hit my guys in their sweet spot and there's also times I am going to be able to attack and hopefully get in a groove."

The Heat also plans to mix up their defenders on Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo, and Wade said that is the best strategy.

"Of course Ray is a guy who is one of the tough covers because he's always moving," Wade said. "He's the only guy in the league pretty much who runs off three screens to the 3 (point line) and can shoot it in 0.2 seconds. He's a tough cover but he makes you concentrate and focus more. You want to throw different guys at him. I am not going to chase him all game.

"Rondo is a guy, he's not a "shooter" but he is a guy who is an attacker. So it's a different matchup and you have to turn the switch on both of them."

Wade on the series: "It's going to be a challenge. This is a team that's very confident, who feels they haven't played their best basketball yet. This is a team in Miami who feels we are going to continue to play well and it's not going to be easy."

Rajon Rondo rested, got lots of fluids and said he'll be on the floor for the Celtics playoff opener tonight against the Miami Heat despite a stomach sickness that had him vomiting all Thursday night and Friday morning, keeping him out of yesterday's practice.

"[My energy's] going to be different from tonight," Rondo said, still sounding slightly ill after shootaround this morning. "I still can't hardly breath much. But it'll be alright. I haven't vomited lately."

His sarcasm was still at full-strength. Asked for a percentage health-wise, he said, "20.7"

Rondo averaged 20 points and 11 assists in three regular season games against Miami. He'll play a key role in disrupting Heat star Dwyane Wade if healthy. Tony Allen is Plan B should Rondo find himself too sick to compete, but the all-star point guard ensured, "I'm playing."

The Celtics picked up their first win of the postseason. Tied with San Antonio, Portlant and Oklahoma City (as if they haven't done enough damage in the draft already), the Celtics won the tiebreaker for the 19th pick.

It's not a bad place for the Cs to fall. If they hold onto it, it would be the highest pick they've landed and kept since taking Gerald Green with the 18th pick in 2005. But thanks to one of the side effects of the potential lockout in 2011, the pick has even more potential.

Realizing that it's either enter the draft now or risk not being drafted at all during a lockout year, a ton of freshmen have thrown their name in the mix flooding the talent pool.

Depending on which mock draft you're eying, as many as nine of the first 14 picks could be underclassmen. Kentucky's losing five players to the draft. The Celtics could benefit from a suddenly rich field.

Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel writes:

When it comes to depth of talent, this could set up as a two-for-one sale.

With union executives traveling team to team in recent weeks to warn about a potential lockout in 2011, when the current collective-bargaining agreement is set to expire, it could mean that those who wait until the 2011 draft might have to wait until the 2012-13 season to cash their first NBA paychecks.

With the deadline for early entry moved up this season to April 25, prospects won't have much more time to get a read on where the NBA's dormant negotiations are headed.

By waiting until 2011 to enter the draft, current underclassmen also could find themselves losing an additional year under the NBA's "rookie clock" before they can cash in during free agency, with that clock to be halted during a lockout.

For some, the process is a no-brainer. Kentucky guard John Wall is on the way, as is Ohio State guard Even Turner, with those two expected to be the first two selections.

Expectations are that Syracuse forward Wesley Johnson also is in his final collegiate days, with Wall teammates DeMarcus Cousin, Patrick Patterson and possibly even Eric Bledsoe to go pro.

For now, Georgia Tech freshman forward Derrick Favors claims he is undecided, with Greg Monroe insisting he is returning to Georgetown.

Yet can any player with pro potential afford not to make the jump this June?

Rajon Rondo had shown the effects of allergies as recently as the Chicago game on Tuesday, but after vomiting much Thursday night and Friday morning, the Celtics All-Star point guard left the practice floor early. Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he expects Rondo to play in Saturday night's playoff opener against Miami, though he won't be 100 percent.

"We had him do film, then we did a walkthrough then we told him go home," Rivers said. "He's going to play. I don't know how well he's going to feel. I don't anticipate him feeling great to be honest. I know he was throwing up and everything else all night last night and all day today. I know we sent him to the hosptial just for IV work and stuff like that."

Tony Allen had to sit out in Chicago with a 102-degree fever, which must be spreading through the team. Glen Davis missed Thursday's short practice. And shot free throws on the side of the court for the portion of practice visible to the media.

Allen, who practiced Friday, said he didn't feel 100 percent though he expected to be by Saturday. Rivers said Allen would start should Rondo be unavailable.

"I felt good today, I was a little winded, but I expected that," Allen said. "Tomorrow I should be a little better."

Here it is -- the schedule for the Celtics and the Heat:

Game 1 - Sat April 17 Miami at Boston 8 p.m. CSN, ESPN
Game 2 - Tue April 20 Miami at Boston 8 p.m. CSN, TNT
Game 3 - Fri April 23 Boston at Miami 7 p.m. CSN, ESPN
Game 4 - Sun April 25 Boston at Miami 1 p.m. CSN, ABC
Game 5 * Tue April 27 Miami at Boston TBD TBD
Game 6 * Thu April 29 Boston at Miami TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 1 Miami at Boston TBD TNT

The Heat held off the New Jersey Nets in double overtime, giving them the right to face the Celtics in the first round in a 4-5 seed matchup.

The Celtics won the season series, 3-0, but those wins were by a combined 18 points.

Here are some Heat numbers against the Celtics this season:

Dwyane Wade 33.7 ppg, 8.7 apg, 5.0 rpg
Michael Beasley 12.0 ppg, 0.3 apg, 5.3 rpg
Udonis Haslem 14.3 ppg, 0.3 apg, 7.0 rpg
Jermaine O'Neal 12.7 ppg, 0.3 apg, 7.3 rpg
Quentin Richardson 5.3 ppg, 2.0 apg, 4.3 apg

Scores:

Nov. 29 -- Celtics 92, at Miami 85 (Kevin Garnett finished 11 for 12 for 24 points)

Jan. 6 -- Celtics 112, at Miami 106 OT (Rajon Rondo sends game to OT with alley-oop at buzzer; Wade: 44 points)

Feb. 3, at Celtics 107, Heat 102 (Without Paul Pierce, Celtics get 23 points from Ray Allen and 14 assists from Rondo; Wade: 30 points and 13 assists).