Analysis/Running Diary of Heat at Celtics, Game 3:

• Absolutely incredible energy to begin the game, as the Celtics completely fed off the energized hometown crowd whose enthusiasm clearly has transferred over from the previous night, where they saw their Bruins sweep Philadelphia to advance to the NHL’s Eastern Conference Finals.  I believed all week that the Celtics weren’t even close to being out of the series, despite being down 0-2 after 2 demoralizing losses in Miami.  I kept saying: just wait till they get back to Boston.  LeBron James will not face a more intimidating postseason environment than the one he’s about to walk into, and I have all the faith in the world Boston will come out flying and look to even the series before heading back to Miami.  I remain steadfast in this belief until proven otherwise.

• Playing off this point, it’s also extremely encouraging to see the start F Paul Pierce is off to: 10 point, 3/4 from the field, including a 3, as Boston took a 16-7 lead by the first media timeout.  Pierce, as well as the rest of the Celtics, seemed lethargic and downright old in Miami.  Not tonight, however.  The C’s came to play, emphatically stating to the visitors, “NOT IN OUR HOUSE.”

• Shaquille O’Neal finally got up from the bench with just under 5 minutes to go, the 1^st event of a dizzying sequence: a crazy save by James on a ball headed out of bounds that ended up in Dwayne Wade’s hands for a ringing slam, and right after that, Ray Allen got loose for his 1^st 3-pointer of the night.  You don’t need the Black Eyed Peas to tell you, tonight’s gonna be a good, good night.

• Shaq’s first bucket came on an acrobatic reverse lay-up, but he immediately came up hobbling, looking down at his calf.  To his credit, however, he stayed in the game.  Still, announcer Jeff Van Gundy said the event was “borderline sad.”  There’s no borderline about it; one of the toughest things to watch in sports is the decline of a once-great player.  Shaq is a top 15 all-time player, the most dominant force on the planet during the first Los Angeles Lakers three-peat from 2000-02.  Noted ESPN columnist Bill Simmons ranked him #11 all-time in his Book of Basketball.  But Shaq’s prime ended 6 years, and he played a total of 5 minutes from February 1^st until tonight.  Here’s hoping Shaq can give Boston at least 15 minutes per night the rest of their season (however long that may be), because his larger-than-life personality will give his Celtics teammates a lift even if can’t give them much production on the floor.

• Once Shaq checked in, I got to thinking about the bench matchup between the two teams.  Miami’s dominated in the 1^st two games of the series, and promptly gave the team a boost.  Mario Chalmers dropped a quick 8 points upon his entry into the game, James Jones nailed a 3, and Joel Anthony made his 1^st 5 shots as Miami jumped to an 18-6 edge in bench points.  Miami’s top 3 bench guys have consistently outplayed the top 3 of Boston (although Delonte West played better in game 2), and are a big reason why Miami leads the series 2-0.  Boston must get steadier point guard play from West and more aggressiveness from Jeff Green and Big Baby Davis to win this series.  Not sure if they have it in them; we’ll see.

• Ray Allen picked up his 3^rd foul with 6:48 to go in the 2^nd quarter, on a ticky-tack but correct call on a Wade 3-point attempt.  Wade made all 3 freebies, as Miami took their first lead of the game at 36-34.  Miami survived the initial onslaught from Boston, rallying from an early 11-point deficit.  And the greater Boston area grows nervous with each ill-advised missed shot and tardy defensive rotation…

• Kevin Garnett’s back-to-back jumpers ended a 10-0 Heat run at the 3:17 mark of the 2^nd quarter, over the outstretched arm of Chris Bosh.  Which got me thinking: oh right, Bosh is out there.  It certainly didn’t seem like he was, however; 15 minutes, 3 shots, 2 points, 1 rebound.  Where you at, big fella?

• KG’s reinsertion into the game results in a 7-0 Boston run and a 41-40 Boston lead.  Garnett MUST dominate the matchup against Chris Bosh for Boston to have any chance at making this a competitive series.  So far, so good.

• West collided with Anthony on a drive to the basket, and favored his left (shooting) shoulder on the next defensive possession.  No matter: the C’s got a stop, PG Rajon Rondo pushed the ball in transition, and hit the trailing West at the 3-point lead, who calmly knocked down the 3.  What shoulder injury?

• At the half: Miami 46, Boston 44.  Key stats: Miami’s bench – 21 points, 9/13 from the field, 2/6 from 3, 9 rebounds; Delonte West – 12 minutes, 10 points, 4/5 from the field, 2/2 from 3; Joel Anthony à +/- of +13 (and an MVP-of-the-game-so-far mention from Wade); 3-point shooting: Miami 2/10, Boston 4/4; Fouls: Miami 4, Boston 8.

• Overall, it was a very even first half.  Boston’s initial energy level carried them to an 18-7 lead, but the Miami reserves rallied the Heat.  Aside from James’ save leading to Wade’s reverse dunk, the half was somewhat devoid of thrilling moments.  Bosh was invisible.  Glen Davis’ perplexing lack of production continued (5 minutes, no shot attempts or rebounds).  Paul Pierce missed his last 7 shots after making his 1^st 4.  It’s hard to figure what will happen in the 2^nd half, but here are some predictions: James and Wade will complete at least one epic 2-on-whatever fast break, Rajon Rondo will NOT be held scoreless for the entire game, and the crunch time sequence will be heavily scrutinized after the game, in one or another.  Here we go…

• Mike Bibby’s bricked 3-pointer makes him 0/5 from the field.  And on the play, LeBron was being guarded by Rondo on a switch.  Ridiculous.  No wonder fans scream for Chalmers to be put back in the starting lineup.

• Wade has abused Ray Allen all night so far, on both ends.  Wade has scored 17 points, drawn 3 fouls on Allen (leading to 7 FT attempts), and limited Allen to just 8 points and 1 3-point attempt.  Wade really is an athletic marvel, not only able to perform like a superstar on the offensive end (and take an incredible amount of abuse on his repeated drives to the basket throughout his career), but also chase around Allen against all kinds of screens designed specifically to get him an open shot.

• To continue an earlier point: why Bibby and C Zydrunas Ilgauskas continue to start games and halves for Miami is mystifying.  With those two on the floor, Boston exploded on a 16-4 burst to turn a 2-point halftime deficit into a 10-point advantage.

• Oh no.  The Boston crowd ranges from a chant of “Wade You SUCK” to complete exasperation as repeated video is shown of the Rondo injury.  In his frustration after losing the ball on a good defensive play made by Rondo, Wade pulls the defenseless Rondo to the court.  Rondo, in self-preservation, puts his left arm down to brace his fall, but the weight of Wade bends Rondo’s elbow in an unnatural way, and live, it appeared to be hyper-extended.  And now the agonizing wait begins before the unveiling of his condition and prognosis…

• Mark Jackson, halfway through the 3^rd quarter: “Has anyone seen Chris Bosh?  Kevin Garnett is without a doubt the best big man on the floor.”  Not surprisingly, Boston led 60-50 at the time.

• Continuing an earlier point, Part 2: Allen was fouled hard by Wade one possession after a foul wasn’t called, and he took umbrage, getting up quickly to confront Wade before being vigorously restrained by Garnett.  Things are starting to get chippy…

• The 3^rd quarter belonged to Kevin Garnett: an impressive array of spin moves and jumpers, to go with the unconfirmed kidnapping of Chris Bosh.

• Glen Davis didn’t even get up off the bench for the 3^rd quarter.  How the mighty have fallen.

• Rondo’s diagnosis: dislocated elbow.  It was popped back in, and he will try to return.  Wow.  An epic 4^th quarter awaits.

• End of the 3^rd quarter: C’s 72, Heat 61.  Important stats: Boston 28, Miami 15 in the quarter; Kevin Garnett – 14 points, 3 boards (for the game: 31 minutes, 12/17 from the floor, 26 points, +19 +/-, 13 rebounds.  KG is without a doubt the MVP of the first 3 quarters.

• Rondo re-entered the game and promptly grabbed a one-handed rebound with only his right arm, then dribbled with only his right hand.  Ruh roh.

• Well, look who decided to show up: F Jeff Green ended the 3^rd with an excellent one-on-one defensive possession against James where, with help from Pierce, caused a turnover.  He then followed that with a cutting layup (on a sweet dish from Shaq), and cut again to the bucket where he was fouled (and made both free throws).  Green, the centerpiece in the Kendrick Perkins deal in February, came under tremendous scrutiny, not only due to his lack of production, but also his on-court demeanor.  All of which makes his sudden outburst in energy level such a departure from the rest of his time in Boston.  This is refreshing for Boston, their fans, and me, who actually wrote this column.

• A missed rebound leads to RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY ALLENNNNNNNNNNNN FORRRRRRRRRRRRR THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! Boston by 16, 9:33 to go.

• Wow.  You just can’t say enough about Rajon Rondo.  Clearly hurt and left arm rendered virtually useless, Rondo continues to will his Celtics on both ends.  Incredible.  This is what the playoffs are all about.

• Speaking of the disappeared: check out this line on LeBron James – 35 minutes, 10 points, -21 +/-, 4/13 from the field, 4 boards, 4 assists.  The Boston homecourt has become the great playoff equalizer.  83-65 Boston, 7:30 to go.

• A near half-court prayer from Pierce with the shot clock at 1 punctuates a resounding Celtic win.

• Final score: Celtics 97, Heat 81.  A tale of two halves: C’s 53, Heat 35 in the 2^nd half; Kevin Garnett dominates Chris Bosh (28 points, 18 rebounds to 6 points, 5 rebounds); 3-point shooting: Boston – 9/18, Miami – 5/23; Jeff Green – 21 minutes, 6 points, outstanding energy, good perimeter D.

• Rondo: “It’s broken.”  Stay tuned to this situation.  But my God, what a game from the Celtics point guard.  As the NBA prophesizes: “Where Amazing Happens.”

• Game 4, Miami at Boston, Monday, 7 PM, TNT. LET’S GO.