NBA Playoffs 2011: Dwyane Wade Close to Equaling Playoff Record vs. Celtics

When Dwyane Wade enters a hostile TD Garden on Saturday night, he has the chance to equal the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for consecutive 25-point games against Boston in the postseason.

The mark, set by Kareem at eight, started when he was with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1974 and ended when he was with the Los Angeles Lakers 10 years later.

Heading into Saturday's game, Wade has scored 25+ points in the last seven postseason meetings with the Celtics, with five straight scoring outbursts in last year's series, and with two 25-plus point games to start this year's series.

These seven totals add up to a blistering 232-point performance in his last seven games against the Celtics, who have been one of the best defensive teams in the NBA since 2007.

In terms of averages, D-Wade has poured in 33.14 points per game, alongside an astounding 57 percent from the field over the course of two postseason series with the men in green, showing he's not only scoring well, but doing so efficiently. 

Quite simply, Boston has found no answer for Miami's main man come playoff time.

Of course, last season Wade didn't nearly have the talent surrounding him that he has now. He drew all the defensive attention from Boston, as the second biggest threat on offense for Miami came from a raw Michael Beasley.

That is what makes this effort from Wade that more remarkable.

This season, however, it seemed as though Wade's fantastic run against Boston was at an end. A dismal 12.75 PPG average against the Celtics in the regular season gave media outlets a field day. Could Wade overcome Boston?

From the tip of the ball in Game 1, he was in attack mode. With the criticism fresh in his mind, Wade turned in his game of the year, willing Miami to a statement win with 38 points.

He started off hot in Game 2, but cooled off somewhat in the second half when LeBron James took over. Regardless of this, however, Wade still finished with 28 much-needed points.

Needless to say, Wade's ability to take over the game will certainly be required if Miami wants to hold a 3-0 lead over Boston.

The question of whether or not Wade will reach the mark set by Kareem, for the meantime, will remain a mystery.

All will be revealed on Saturday night in Boston.