Celtics Erase 26-Point Deficit in Win Over Miami

The Celtics limited the visiting Miami Heat to five third-quarter points in erasing much of what had been as much as a 26-point deficit. TD Garden lost its collective mind in the fourth quarter when Boston surged ahead and held on for a 98-88 triumph.

Despite the win, the Celtics settled for the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference by virtue of an improbable four-way tie created when the Atlanta Hawks lost in Washington and the Charlotte Hornets defeated Orlando. Miami won the Southeast Division — and secured the No. 3 seed — by virtue of the division tiebreaker, and Atlanta slotted fourth ahead of Boston based on head-to-head performance against the remaining tied teams.

Source: Chris Forsberg of ESPN