Celtics show life, cut Heat's edge to 2-1

BOSTON -- LeBron James came out Friday night like someone who wanted to put the game -- and this series -- away quickly. But the Celtics showed the heart and fight of a team that has no intention of exiting quietly.

Kevin Garnett typified that after falling hard on his back in the first half. He lay on the ground for several moments, then turned over and did push-ups as his teammates stood around him and the loud Boston crowd cheered.

Garnett had 24 points and 11 rebounds and Rajon Rondo played another terrific floor game and made big plays late to lead the Celtics to a 101-91 must-win over the Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Boston trimmed Miami's series lead to 2-1. Game 4 is Sunday night right back here.

"This is a championship team," James said. "They have a lot of guys that won championship rings. They got a lot of pride. We know we're not going to be able to just walk on top of them."

James scored 16 of his game-high 34 points in the first 9:22 of the game. But the Celtics took charge after that.

They showed little mental effects or physical fatigue from squandering leads and losing Game 2 in overtime. Energized by their fans, the Celtics built a 24-point fourth-quarter lead. Rondo, who had 44 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in Game 2, had a big fourth quarter to stave off a Heat rally.

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Miami got within eight twice. The last time was 97-89 after a Dwyane Wade rebound dunk. But Wade missed a jumper on the next possession and Rondo drove and scored with 1:39 left to make it a 10-point game. He scored eight of his 21 points in the fourth, and added 10 assists and six rebounds.

"He stabilized us, really," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.

Paul Pierce scored 23 points and Ray Allen 10.

Wade was quiet for most of the night and finished with 18 points. He shot 9-for-20 and didn't take any foul shots. Mario Chalmers scored seven of his 14 points during the Heat's late-game push.

With James' jump shot falling early, the Heat opened up a 28-22 lead in the first quarter. But James' 16-foot jumper with 2:38 left in the first wound up being the Heat's last basket for 8:40. In that time, the Celtics outscored the Heat 17-2 and were leading 39-30 when James' turnaround bank shot ended the drought with 5:57 left in the half. But the Heat continued to struggle offensively and trailed 55-42 at halftime.

James had 20 points in the first half and picked up his third foul with 43.5 seconds left. The rest of the Heat combined to score 22.

In the third, Garnett scored six of the Celtics' first nine points and Boston took a 67-46 lead with 7:09 left after a Marquis Daniels' three-point play.

"All of our energy and all of our focus right now will be on Sunday," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We still have a golden opportunity."

Notes & quotes: Chris Bosh shot and took part in the Heat's walk-through during shootaround yesterday, playing the role of Garnett on the scout team. Bosh remains out indefinitely with a lower-abdominal strain.