NBA Playoffs 2012: 6 Intriguing Storylines from Game 4 of Celtics-Heat

After a crazy Game 4 that included an 18-point comeback by the Heat to force overtime, the Celtics ended up victorious. The game itself was incredibly exciting and featured a lot of interesting stories. 

Most importantly, though, with this win the Celtics even up the series at two games apiece. And now, it is just a three-game series with Game 5 on Tuesday becoming immensely important for both teams, for it has been well-documented that the winner of Game 5 in a tied series almost always wins. 

Both Pierce and LeBron Fouling out

Paul Pierce and LeBron James are about as friendly as Jerry Seinfeld and Newman, but if they want something to start a friendship over, then they should empathize over the refs together. It's like how in grade school kids would bond together over a collected distaste for the teacher. 

I doubt LeBron and Pierce will unite over this (unless the Celtics win the series, then LeBron will probably try to take his talents to Beantown), but regardless, they really are in the same boat here.

Both fouls that ended their nights were questionable to say the least, but give the refs credit, for they kept it consistent. In the end, I wouldn't say it had a huge impact on the game, just because both were the victim of the same call and both had to watch from the bench at the end.

Still though, it was interesting to say the least, especially for LeBron who has not fouled out since 2008—weird, because he plays some of the most aggressive defense in the NBA. 

Another Lead Lost for the Celtics

No lead is safe with this Celtics team. In the past three games, the Celtics have jumped out to big double-digit leads over the Heat only to see all three games come down to the final minutes. Slowly, the Heat have chipped away at every lead the Celtics have been able to muster.

It is certainly a cause for concern among Celtics fans, because right now it seems nearly impossible to put this Heat team away. In what should be a hard-fought Game 5, I'm sure that big leads on either side will be hard to come by.

It would be interesting to see how both teams respond to a game that is close all the way through. 

Udonis Haslem Plays Big Minutes for the Heat

Erik Spoelstra has been searching for the right big man to start at center for the Heat. In games 1, 2 and 3 he started Ronny Turiaf (who did not play in Game 4), and in Game 4 he started Joel Anthony. For Game 5, Spoelstra would be a fool if he didn't start Udonis Haslem. 

In terms of playing against expectations, Haslem was the biggest bright spot for the Heat in Game 4. On top of his 12 points on efficient 4-of-6 shooting, he also grabbed a whopping 17 rebounds, including four offensive. 

It was truly a great performance from Haslem and should not be overshadowed by a Heat loss. 

Keyon Dooling Igniting Energy into the Celtics

The Celtics seem to be searching every game for a bench player who can come off the bench and make an impact while also providing energy. In Game 3, it was mostly Marquis Daniels, but tonight it was his usual bench-buddy and fellow Florida native Keyon Dooling who played the role of energizer bunny/bench scorer. 

Especially in the first half, Dooling effectively changed the game off the bench and ignited not only his teammates, but also the crowd with his energy and three-point shooting. Both his three-point shooting and energy were on display when he hit a big corner three then ran up the court and did a jump and fist pump a la Michael Jordan after "The Shot."

His contribution, which included 10 points, was huge for the Celtics and was a big factor in their win. 

Rondo Gets His Shots in

Rajon Rondo wasn't messing around in this half-time interview. He basically ignored the question and answered it his own way with a direct shot at the Heat. Earlier in the series, he made the "hit the deck" comment, and against the Sixers he gave another classic postgame interview. After the game, Rondo stood by his comments.

The Heat will try to use this as bulletin board material, but at the end of the day, Game 5 will come down to who plays better, not what Rondo said to Doris Burke during halftime of Game 4.

On to Game 5...

With this win by the Celtics, the stage has been set for an epic showdown in ever important Game 5 because, make no mistake about it, whoever wins Game 5 will win the series. Both teams know it and, as a result, both teams will be fighting for their lives in Game 5.

So far in this series, the home team has won every game—but with all of the momentum on the Celtics side, it's anyone's game and, more importantly, it's anyone's series.