Expect major performance from James in Game 4

[Betfair]

Professional sports handicapper Jeff Grant previews Game 4 of the
Eastern Conference series between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics at the TD Garden

At the time of this writing, the following Match Odds/Moneyline were available: Miami Heat (1.94, -106) and Boston Celtics (1.98, -102)

Miami was unable to capture the magic it played with at home in falling 97-81 in Game 3 in Boston, but the squad still remains confident by holding a 2-1 advantage in the series. "We've got to be aggressive," said LeBron James. "The only way you counter aggressiveness is to be aggressive on the other end, too." He doesn't need to look any further than himself in relaying that quote in the locker room, as James scored 15 points on 6-for-16 shooting. The Heat will also remain confident in knowing they held a 46-44 lead heading into the break on Saturday night. Miami is 2-3 ATS after a loss by 10 points or more this season.

The Heat may have taken the foot off the pedal in Game 3 by someone telling them that teams up 2-0 in postseason conference semifinals games are 89-4 since the NBA broke into conferences during the 1970-71 season. It's also important to note that no Eastern Conference team has ever come back from a 2-0 deficit in a semifinals series. Guard Dwyane Wade continues to get the job done on the offensive end, scoring at least 20 points in six-straight postseason contests.

Boston certainly used the three-day break between Game 2 and 3 to its advantage in scoring a decisive win, but coach Doc Rivers doesn't have that luxury in bringing in a banged up squad into Monday's contest. "It's a pretty busy room right now," Rivers commented about the Celtics trainer's room. "Right now, we're going to go with, 'They're all playing."' He is talking about guards Rajon Rondo and Delonte West, who both suffered arm injuries in Saturday's physical battle. Rondo of course is the main injury in question, as he badly dislocated his elbow in the third quarter, only to later return and lead the team emotionally to a victory. Boston is 19-21 ATS at home this season.

The Celtics wouldn't be in a position to knot the series at two if not for a brilliant effort from aging power forward Kevin Garnett, who finished with postseason highs of 28 points and 18 rebounds. Forward Paul Pierce also did his part by chipping in with 27 points and the team received just over eight minutes of inspirational play from veteran center Shaquille O'Neal. Many NBA experts believe that Boston may have used too much energy in its Game 3 victory to emotionally gather itself to even the series, especially considering that Miami came back from an early 11-point deficit.

Bettors will likely back the Heat due to their 4-0 ATS mark with one day's rest, while the Celtics are 7-19 ATS following an against-the-spread win.

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