NBA Daily Blog Eastern Conference Finals: Celtics take Game 3 at home vs the Heat 101-91.

Rajon Rondo shoots over the Heat defense.

Photo ©NBA.com

The Boston Celtics, up by as many as 24 points coming into the 4th quarter, survive a late surge by the Miami Heat in the 4th quarter as they win Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals at the TD Garden 101-91. Celtics shot 50% from the field while the Heat shot 49% from the field. The Celtics went 20-26 from the free throw line while the Heat shot only 10-20. The Heat still lead the series 2-1. Game 4 will be back in Boston on June 4.

Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with a double-double 24 points and 11 rebounds on 10-16 FG shooting and 4-6 FT shooting. Paul Pierce added 23 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks on 7-21 FG shooting, 2-6 3PT shooting and 7-7 FT shooting. Rajon Rondo also finished with a double-double 21 points and 10 assists with 6 rebounds on 9-16 FG shooting and 3-5 FT shooting. Ray Allen added 10 points and 5 rebounds on 4-8 FG shooting and 2-5 3PT shooting. Marquis Daniels off the bench added 9 points and 5 rebounds on 4-6 FG shooting. Keyon Dooling added 7 points and 4 rebounds on 3-4 FG shooting

LeBron James led the Heat with 34 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks on 16-26 FG shooting. Dwayne Wade added 18 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks on 9-20 FG shooting. Mario Chalmers added 14 points and 6 assists on 5-11 FG shooting. Mike Miller off the bench added 11 points and 6 rebounds on 4-8 FG shooting and 3-6 3PT shooting.

2012 NBA Playoffs Bracket (as of 11:44 PHT)

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

#1 Spurs vs #2 Thunder (Spurs lead series 2-1)

Game 4: June 3, 9:00 am PHT on ABS-CBN, Basketball TV and NBA Premium TV (replay on Studio 23 9:30 pm PHT)

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

#2 Heat vs #4 Celtics (Heat lead series 2-1)
Game 4: June 4, 8:30 am PHT on Basketball TV and NBA Premium TV, delayed telecast on ABS-CBN 9:00 am PHT (replay on Studio 23 9:30 pm PHT)

K-Smoove