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Rondo, Celtics try to even series with Heat

May 9, 2011 - 2:34 PM (Sports Network) - Rajon Rondo solidified a spot in Celtics' lore over the weekend. Now, the All-Star point guard will try to help Boston even its Eastern Conference semifinals set with Miami as the two heavyweights square off in Game 4 at TD Garden.

Down 2-0 in the series the Celtics' chances looked bleak on Saturday when Rondo dislocated his elbow midway through the third quarter, but the quarterback somehow returned in the fourth and helped Boston grind out a 97-81 win over the Heat to get back in the set.

The Celtics were never seriously in contention down the stretch in the first two games of the series in Miami, and they appeared to be headed to the fourth quarter in Game 3 without their most dynamic playmaker. But Rondo energized the TD Garden crowd with his return and the Celtics led by double digits the entire final frame.

While Rondo provided the intangibles -- as well as six points and 11 assists -- Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce put up the numbers, with the former totaling 28 points and 18 rebounds and the latter adding 27 points and five assists.

Shaquille O'Neal, who had been sidelined with Achilles and calf injuries, made his first playoff appearance with the Celtics and scored two points in 8 1/2 minutes.

Dwyane Wade had 23 points and seven helpers, but Miami's other two superstars -- LeBron James and Chris Bosh -- combined for only 21 points on 7- of-22 shooting. Bosh played with a pinched nerve in his neck while James' 15 points were his fewest this postseason.

Joel Anthony, who totaled 25 points in Miami's first seven playoff games, chipped in 12 points and 11 rebounds in the loss, and Mario Chalmers added 17 points for the Heat, who shot 5-of-23 (22 percent) from three-point range after shooting 46 percent from long distance in the first two games.

"They played harder than us and played more efficiently than us," Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said. "They've earned that pedigree in the battles and the wars that they've been in the last four years, where we are trying to get to."

Rondo hurt the elbow during after getting tangled up with Wade. As the pair fell to the hardwood, Rondo tried bracing himself with his left arm and his elbow gave out and bent in the opposite direction in a gruesome fashion. At the time of the incident, the Celtics were on top, 60-50, after starting the third quarter on a 16-4 run. Garnett netted six points during the flurry, including the first two buckets to set the tone for the half.

"Tonight [Garnett] had a Hall-of-Fame performance. They rode him," said James.

Despite being without Rondo the rest of the quarter, the Celtics extended the margin to 72-61 with 12 minutes remaining. Rondo was back on the court after doctors popped his elbow back into place in the locker room sporting a sleeve over his injured elbow to start the fourth. He was limited and dramatically favoring his left arm but was able to swipe the ball from Bosh with his injured arm and throw down a dunk at the other end for an 81-63 cushion 3 1/2 minutes in.

"I didn't have to do much scoring, just directing," Rondo said. "I just tried to be an energy boost."

The Celtics are more than banged-up heading into tonight's contest. Rondo underwent an MRI and CAT scan at New England Baptist Hospital and the tests revealed no further damage. Although Rondo is still listed as a game-time decision, he is expected to go as is fellow guard Delonte West, who bruised his left shoulder in Game 3.

"I'm optimistic about both, that they're going to play." Boston coach Doc Rivers said on Sunday. "I don't know why I am, but I am. I just don't know how well either one can play."

Boston and Miami have met just one other time in the postseason, last season's 4-1 Celtics win in the East quarterfinals.

Game 5 of the set will be back in Miami on Wednesday.