Green's 3 lifts Celtics to 111-110 win over Heat

MIAMI (AP) -- Jeff Green hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to lift the Boston Celtics to a 111-110 victory over the Miami Heat on Saturday night.

Gerald Wallace's pass found Green in the right corner, where he unleashed a shot over the outstretched hands of LeBron James. The shot was confirmed after a video review, giving the Celtics their third consecutive win.

Wallace hit a layup with 1.6 seconds remaining to get Boston within 110-108 and fouled Dwyane Wade with 0.6 seconds remaining. Wade missed the first free throw and deliberately bounced the second attempt off the backboard. His shot failed to hit the rim and no time went off the clock, allowing Boston to call a time out and set up an inbounds play.

Green finished with 24 points and was 5 of 8 on 3-pointers. Avery Bradley scored 17 points and Jordan Crawford added 15 for the Celtics.

James led Miami with 25 points and 10 assists. Chris Bosh had 20 points and Wade finished with 18.

James converted two free throws with 3.6 seconds remaining to give the Heat 110-106 lead.

The Celtics had a chance to tie or take the lead, but Kelly Olynyk missed a bank shot with 6.9 seconds remaining. James grabbed the rebound, dribbled toward the Heat's end and was fouled by Olynyk.

James' jumper with 1:39 remaining gave the Heat a 108-104 lead. Bradley cut the deficit to 108-106 with his jumper with 38.4 left.

The Heat could not increase the lead after Wallace grabbed Bosh's missed 3-pointer with 20 seconds remaining.

The Celtics opened the second half on a 5-0 run capped by Brandon Bass' jumper to take a 65-59 lead 1:27 into the third quarter.

Miami responded with 7-0 burst fueled by two layups from Bosh.

After trading leads early in the first quarter, the Celtics retook the lead as they outscored the Heat 15-8 in the first 3:23 of the second period. Green's 3-point play with 8:37 left ended the spurt for a 40-39 Celtics advantage.

Crawford's 30-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer gave Boston a 60-59 lead at halftime. Crawford was 3 for 3 on 3-pointers in the first half and the Celtics were 5 of 9 from behind the arc in the first two quarters.

Miami reserve forward Michael Beasley got his first extended playing time of the season and scored eight straight points during a 1:30 stretch in the second quarter. Beasley, the Heat's first-round choice and second overall in the 2008 draft, finished with 10 points. Beasley didn't play in five of Miami's first six games this season.

Mario Chalmers' 3-pointer and two free throws keyed a 10-0 Miami run midway through the first quarter. James hit one of two free throws with 4:41 remaining in the quarter to cap the run and give the Heat a 21-12 lead.

Heat starting forward Udonis Haslem sat out the game because of back spasms.

Cox Media Group