Heat Survive Overtime Thriller, overcome performance for the ages from Rondo

The Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics 115-111 in overtime to take a 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.  Several players on both sides put together workmanlike efforts, grinding out over 40 minutes of hard fought gameplay, however no one could match the legendary performance put together by Rajon Rondo of the Celtics.  Rondo played all 53 minutes of the game, not resting for even a second, scored a career high 44 points and added 10 assists and 8 rebounds.  No other player in the Celtics' storied history has ever had over 40 points with double digit assists in a playoff game.  Rondo excelled in draining jump shots all evening, supposedly the greatest weakness in his game, and even made two 3-pointers.  Rondo's shooting forced the Heat to adjust their defensive game plan and switch on every pick and roll involving Rondo.
The Heat led by 6 going into the 4th quarter but converted only 4 field goals in the quarter.  Ray Allen, hampered by bone spurs in his ankles, willed himself through 43 minutes of gameplay and scored 13 points, including a game tying 3-pointer that sent the game to overtime.
Lebron James had a chance to win the game at the buzzer, but missed a fadeaway 20 foot jumpshot over the 6'1" Rondo.  James, who took 24 free throws in the game and finished with 34 points, has to be more assertive at the end of the game.  He held the ball for the final shot in the game, but only began to make his move with under 4 seconds remaining in the game.  If he had attacked earlier and used his size advantage over Rondo to attack the rim he would have likely been sent to the free throw line with a chance to win the game.  Having said that, James' decision to take the final shot in the game is a huge step forward and may signal the end of his late game woes.  After having been criticized numerous times over the course of his career as a Heat for his refusal to take over games down the stretch, Lebron's willingness to take the final shot has to be viewed as a huge positive for the Heat.
In overtime James and Dwyane Wade, who finished with 23 points despite having been limited to only 2 first half points by the Celtics, demonstrated why they are among the game's elite, aggressively attacking the hoop to close out the Celtics.  Rondo had all 12 of the Celtics' points in the overtime period, which was marred by a questionable decision by the referees.  The referees incredulously did not call a foul on a play in which Rondo was obviously smacked on the head by Wade, resulting in a game swinging dunk by Udonis Haslem at the other end.
The Heat's role players played very well, led by Mario Chalmers who had 22 points in 45 minutes.  The Celtics poured their hearts out in the game, and their fans have to hope that they have enough left in the tank to win game 3 on their home court Friday night, in order to avoid a 3-0 deficit from which no team has ever returned in NBA playoff history.