Paul Jones

Paul Jones is the voice of the Raptors on the FAN 590 and writes regularly for Sportsnet.ca.

Kevin Garnett isn't the same player anymore, but his mere presence has the Celtics up 3-0.

Give me a quick show of hands on the following question: If you had to pick a team with home court advantage heading into the playoffs in either conference to be up 3-0 right now, how many of you would have chosen the Celtics?

Me neither.

But somewhere Rudy Tomjanovich might be saying "never underestimate the heart of a champion."

Some say it was Kevin Garnett's injury last season that kept Boston out of the conference finals and even though he's not the same player, and he vows to be improved next season to throw it back throw it back at his detractors, Garnett is in the lineup right now. Nope, he's not the same guy but his mere presence and competitive spirit provides fuel for the Celtics.

Basically the fans in Miami can drive down to the Florida Keys and watch the sun set because the Heat is done. It might be a bit prettier scene as opposed to the one that will eventually take place with the Miami squad.

No team has ever come back from down 3-0 to win a seven game series in the history of the NBA. It's happened close to 90 times and not once has a team come back. In fact, only three times in history has the team on the short end come back to force a seventh game.

So what happened last night as Dwayne Wade finally got some help? Well, Paul Pierce showed up and the former finals MVP hit the game-winning shot over a relatively "green" playoff performer in Dorell Wright taking part in only his fifth career playoff game.

But does that not beg the question of why would the Heat not use the foul they had to give at the end of the game. Not that you would necessarily get a more favourable matchup as the Celtics have lots of guys that can beat you, but don't let Pierce beat you from his comfort zone.

If head coach Eric Spolestra uses that foul then Boston has to inbound and at least a pass has to be made before a shot. I know I can hear Heat fans saying why, so they can run a lob and win at the buzzer? Maybe, but letting Paul Pierce get to what he calls his "sweet spot" (that would be the right elbow or barring that, the left elbow), for his step back series, which is one of a step back jumper, a fake with it to draw a foul on an airborne defender, or the combination of an "up" fake with a hesitation dribble, is asking for trouble. Bottom line: Miami has to take the foul.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ You know what makes the San Antonio/Dallas series so much fun? It's competitive, hard fought and there is good ol' fashion disdain.

Sure the San Antonio chairman, Peter Holt and some of the Spurs players are down playing some of Dallas' owner Mark Cuban's comments about hating the Spurs, but in truth, that's what a rivalry is all about isn't it? With last night's win, all of a sudden the Spurs are in the driver's seat and look like the team that in these eyes, could challenge for a title. Hmmm what's that phrase again about just getting into the playoffs and anything can happen?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Can the Oklahoma City Thunder ride the wave of success they found in the fourth quarter of Game 3 when they defeated the Lakers to tighten the series to 2-1? The big question is can their defense hold up after Phil Jackson makes the inevitable adjustments?

The Thunder, the number one shot-blocking team during the regular season, swatted away 17 Laker attempts with Serge Ibaka "punching" away a career high seven while Kevin Durrant had four, including some key ones late in the fourth quarter against Kobe Bryant.

"We have to come up with another way of doing it, which I'm sure we will," commented Bryant on the amendments that will be made. Bryant admitted that being guarded by Durrant for the first time caught him off guard.

Look for the Lakers to cut down on their three-point attempts as they hoisted 31 in Game 3. Part of that is due to the Thunder's defensive scheme, one they have used successfully all season where they pack the paint and force you to shoot from outside. Ron Artest, 32.3% from the field, and Lamar Odom, who always seems to be a "wild card" in Los Angeles plans and currently shooting 35% from the floor, both need to pick it up for the Lakers to win Game 4. That being said, look for adjustments in the next contest by Jackson's team.

And for those that have been following the story since my broadcast partner Eric Smith and I brought it up in the 2008-09 season, the Lakers are staying at the Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City just a short walk from the arena.

It is supposedly haunted by a woman who jumped to her death with her illegitimate child in her arms, the child the product of an affair by the young maid with oil baron W.B. Skirvin. Derek Fisher won't say anything just in case but so far in two stays at the Skirvin, I've escaped without a bad experience. Do you think sleeping with the lights on had anything to do with it?