Eastern Conference Finals Game 3: 5 Ways the Celtics Can Take Down the Heat

Rajon Rondo played like a man possessed in Game 2 going for 44 points, 10 assists and 8 boards, and he played all 53 minutes in the 115-111 Wednesday night loss to the Miami Heat.

You have to feel for the player that poured his heart out on the court and it still wasn't enough to dethrone the surging Miami Heat.

Don't expect that type of a performance from the talented point guard in Game 3, because that was a bit of an out-of-body performance from the former Kentucky Wildcat.

Following that game there are many things that Boston can capitalize on to make this a 2-1 series. 

Here are five ways the Celtics can take down the Heat in Game 3.

The Bench Must Step Up

Of the 111 points the Boston Celtics scored in Game 2 the bench was responsible for seven of those points. 

You can't count on the starters to score 94 percent of the points each game. That effort was flat out horrible.

I'm talking to you Mickael Pietrus, Keyon Dooling and Greg Stiemsma. That is pathetic for a team trying to make a run at the NBA Finals.

All three of these players had more fouls than they had points in this contest, and for the Heat it was the exact opposite.

The Miami bench mob scored 25 points, and although that isn't great, it sure beats the seven that the Celtics produced.

If the Celtics want to win Game 3, someone on the bench must step up, and that person will have to be Mickael Pietrus. He has the ability to shoot the three, and hit open jump shots; it just hasn't happened yet.

Paul Pierce Can't Commit Six Fouls

Pierce has to stay in the game and play smart defense, that is the only way Boston has any chance what-so-ever. Two of the last three games, the veteran SF has fouled-out leaving the scoring load to Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett.

Pierce also needs to find his stroke from the three point line, something that has become his trademark over the years. The veteran is just 2-for-9 and just 22 percent from deep in this series, and that is simply not good enough to pick up a win.

The former Kansas standout has all the talent to have a big game in Game 3, but is he up to the task?

We will find out tonight.

Keep Feeding Kevin Garnett the Ball

Garnett has had a very solid series thus far. In Game 1 he had 23 points and 10 boards, and he followed that up with 18 points and eight rebounds.

More importantly, he has the only advantage on the floor aside from possibly Rajon Rondo, but he can be picked up by LeBron James.

When Garnett's jumper is falling and he is crashing the boards, he is much better than Ronny Turiaf, Joel Anthony or Udonis Haslem, and it has showed in this series.

The key to this game will be to get him involved early in the ballgame, because like with any big man, when the offense is clicking, so is the defense.

For Boston to win this game, the big fella' will need at least a 20 and 10 performance.

Get to the Free Throw Line!

In Game 2 the Heat shot nearly 20 more free throws than the Boston Celtics.

The Heat made it to the line 47 times to the Celtics 29. That is not a recipe for success in any basketball game, and Boston must find a way to get easy points for a win in Game 3, it is just that simple.

In fact, the discrepancy was so large in Game 2 that Miami made more free throws (31) than the Celtics attempted.

You can call it "home cooking" or whatever you'd like, either way Boston has to be more aggressive. 

When Boston was able to get to the line they shot a great percentage, going 26-for-29 from the stripe.

In Game 3, Boston needs to be at the line early and often.

Ray Allen Has to Play Like...Ray Allen

Look Ray Allen, I get it, your ankle is banged up. But man, you have to hit some three's!

Ray Allen's lift is so bad with that ankle he can't jump over a phone book when he releases his shot. Right now the head honcho in Miami, Pat Riley has a better vertical than Allen.

If the Celtics want to win Game 3, he has to get it done. He has had his worst ever postseason shooting the rock and is shooting less than 40 percent from the field.

Allen is even missing free throws, and in Game 1 he shot 3-for-7 from the line. The veteran 2-guard did come up huge in Game 2 when he hit the game tying three pointer that ended up sending the game to overtime.

In Game 3 Ray Allen needs to drop at least 16-18 points for the Celtics to win on their home floor.