:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/7193016/145471935.jpg)
(SB Nation Arizona) The Boston Celtics understood that if they were going to win their 2012 NBA Playoff Eastern Conference Finals series against the Miami Heat they would need to steal a game on the road. They saw how important it was for the Dallas Mavericks in last year's finals to win Game 2 in Miami and they played like a desperate team...and fell short.
Rajon Rondo, a guy often rumored to be on the trading block, was amazing: 44 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds while playing all 53 minutes of the overtime game. The Heat were just a tad bit better with LeBron James (34 points) and Dwyane Wade (23 points) again carrying their team.
This game was likely the Celtics best chance at winning the series which now heads back to Boston for Game 3 on Friday.
San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT on TNT
We know the Spurs have no problem winning on the road (as evidenced by their 20-game win streak) but the Thunder have played far better at home this season. But it's not clear what, if any, adjustments OKC can make that the Spurs won't be able to match and beat. Maybe they will get a spark from the crowd and simply hit more shots and play that much harder. It could be a fun game, but so far this series hasn't been as close as some predicted.
Here's the remaining schedule for the 2012 NBA Playoff Western Conference Finals Series (all times in ET):
Game 4: Saturday, June 2 at Oklahoma City, 9:00 p.m. ET
Game 5: Monday, June 5 at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. ET*
Game 6: Wednesday, June 6 Oklahoma City, 9:00 p.m. ET*
Game 7: Friday, June 9 at San Antonio, 9:00 p.m. ET*
Here's the remaining schedule for the 2012 NBA Playoff Eastern Conference Finals Series (all times in ET):
Game 3: Friday, June 1 at Boston, 8:30 p.m.
Game 4: Sunday, June 3 at Boston, 8:30 p.m.
Game 5: Tuesday, June 5 at Miami, 8:30 p.m.*
Game 6: Thursday, June 7 at Boston, 8:30 p.m.*
Game 7: Saturday, June 9 at Miami, 8:30 p.m.*
For more on the Spurs, visit Pounding The Rock. while Thunder fans should visit Welcome To Loud City. Celtics homers can head over to Celtics Blog, while for more on the Heat check out Peninsula Is Mightier.