Here is a look ahead to Wednesday's matchup between the visiting 76ers and Miami Heat.
The Sixers have been competitive in three of the four contests, with the lone exception a 94-73 loss in Game 2. Miami led by as many as 28 points that game.
Miami is 6-0 in any series in which it held a 2-0 lead.
First: Sixers 101-75; second; Heat 125-77;
third: Heat 94-82; fourth: Sixers 82-79.
Miami's Chris Bosh has scored less in each game. He opened with 25 points in Game 1, followed by 21, 19, and 12.
Heat guard Mario Chalmers was 3 for 9 from the field last game, with all the attempts from beyond the arc.
When Miami has attempted three-pointers, it has played into the Sixers' hands. The Heat are just 16 for 67 from beyond the arc (.239). Conversely, the Sixers are 30 for 72 (.417). When LeBron James attempts a three, the Sixers are especially happy. James is just 2 for 11 (.182).
Sixers guard Jrue Holiday has more three-point field goals than the entire Miami starting lineup. Holiday is 11 for 20 (.550). Miami's five starters - James, Dwyane Wade, Bosh, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and Mike Bibby - are a combined 7 for 36 (.194).
Boston awaits the winner of this series, and no doubt the Celtics wouldn't mind seeing it extended as long as possible. So for now, Doc Rivers and his Celtics team are temporarily Sixers fans.
"I am sure Doc hopes we take them triple-overtime in Game 7," Sixers coach Doug Collins said in a response that drew laughter but probably had a lot of truth to it. "That is one of the things in the playoffs, especially when you are a team that has a lot of playoff games under your belt, you want to play a series and go as little time as possible. You don't want to go to an extra game where all of a sudden you can roll an ankle, or something could happen where injuries become a factor."
Could Miami now feel the heat after blowing a chance to close this series once?
Will the Sixers merely be satisfied to have avoided a sweep, or will they have the same fire they showed Sunday? Will Chalmers play more for a slumping Bibby?
James has played all 24 second-half minutes in the last two games and leads all players in the series in minutes played, averaging 42 minutes, 21 seconds.
"Since we won the last game, we feel like we have the momentum even though we're down, 3-1."
- Sixers guard Lou Williams.
- Marc Narducci
