10 May 2011

Heat put Celtics on brink after overtime victory

7:16 pm on 10 May 2011

LeBron James muscled his way to a 35-point, 14-rebound performance to help the Miami Heat push the Celtics to the brink of elimination from the National Basketball Association playoffs with a 98-90 overtime triumph in Boston.

Dwyane Wade added 28 points as the Heat took a 3-1 lead over the defending Eastern Conference champions in the best-of-seven series. Game Five is on Thursday in Miami.

In last season's playoffs, Boston eliminated James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Wade and the Heat on their way to the NBA Finals where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Paul Pierce missed a potential game-winner for Boston as the buzzer ended regulation time and Miami scored the first six points of overtime.

Pierce finished with 27 points and Ray Allen chipped in 17 for Boston.