Favored Celtics need Game 3 win

The Boston Celtics face an uphill battle in their second-round NBA playoff series, heading home down 2-0 to the Miami Heat with injuries plaguing their starters.

The Heat took a 2-0 series lead Tuesday night with a 102-91 win as 5-point home favorites. LeBron James torched the Celtics for 35 points, while Dwyane Wade added 28 points and eight assists. The other piece of Miami's Big Three, Chris Bosh, also got in on the action with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

For the Celtics it was a painful night, literally. Rajon Rondo led Boston with 20 points and 12 assists while playing through a bad back. Paul Pierce was limited to 13 points and needed treatment on a strained left Achilles. Ray Allen netted only seven points before a James elbow forced him out in the third quarter with what was called a bruised chest cavity. There are three days between Games 2 and 3, and the Celtics are going to need them to heal up.

What could be the saving grace for the Celtics is that the series is returning to Boston for Game 3. The Celtics own the Heat at home and have won 10 straight games against them at TD Garden. Boston was 7-3 ATS in those 10 games, and they're a 3-point home favorite for Game 3.

The Celtics and Heat aren't the only ones getting an extended rest. The Grizzlies and Thunder also have three days off before Game 3 of their series in Memphis on Saturday.

The Thunder picked up a much-needed win at home on Tuesday night to tie the series 1-1. Oklahoma City was a 6.5-point favorite and covered the spread in a 111-102 win. Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 26 points and Russell Westbrook delivered 24 points and six assists. James Harden also had a big game off the bench with 21 points.

The real difference between the Grizzlies' win in Game 1 and their loss in Game 2 was the play of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. In Game 1 Randolph and Gasol combined for 54 points and 23 rebounds. In Game 2 they didn't even combine to net 30 points. Randolph shot a poor 2-of-13 for 15 points with only nine rebounds, while Gasol was held to 13 points and 10 boards. If Randolph and Gasol continue to have trouble scoring in Memphis the Grizzlies' playoff run could come to an abrupt halt.

The Grizzlies do have a five-game winning streak going at home, during which they are also 4-1 ATS. Memphis has also won 11 of their last 12 home games and they're 3-0 in their last three at home versus the Thunder. Memphis is a 3.5-point home favorite for Saturday's game.