1. Pierce keeps the Celtics alive

With 7:03 left in the quarter Dwyane Wade hit a floater to give the Heat a 61-47 lead and it seemed like it was time to dust off the obit. But Paul Pierce scored nine points to key a 17-5 run to close out the quarter as the lead was cut to just two points.

2. Celtics getting owned on the boards

Tough to win an NBA playoff game when you have just two offensive rebounds in 36 minutes. The Heat enter the fourth quarter with an overall rebounding edge of 31-21, including nine for Jermaine O’Neal and eight for Michael Beasley.

3. The bench has slowed down

The reserves scored 13 points in the first quarter, but just two points since. And no sign of Marquis Daniels through three quarters.

4. Still nothing from Ray Allen

Hasn’t hit a three (on four attempts) and is 2-of-8 from the floor. Called Dwayne Wade the toughest matchup in the league before the game, and Wade is 9-of-12 for 20 points after three.

5. That’s why Doc plays Big Baby

I was wrong on that call after the first half. Doc called on Davis in the third quarter and his energy was a big part of the run. His strip of Wade and dive to the floor to force a jump ball was big in bringing the crowd back into the game.