NBA playoffs: Wade scores 46, Heat stay alive with 101-92 win over Celtics

MIAMI — Dwyane Wade isn't ready for the offseason. Not even close.

And thanks to another record-setting effort by their star, the Miami Heat suddenly have life in their series against the Boston Celtics.

Undeterred by talk that this might have been his final home game in Miami, Wade set franchise playoff records by scoring 46 points, 30 in the second half, and the Heat kept their season alive by beating the Celtics 101-92 on Sunday in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

"We don't take Dwyane for granted, that greatness," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We don't. He has another gear, another depth to go into in his soul to be able to dig it out and really carry a team on his back with his will. ... When his back is against the wall, it's an utter defiance."

The Celtics still lead 3-1, and get a second shot at the clincher on Tuesday in Boston.

But Wade gave the Heat hope.

"You better believe this group is inspired," Spoelstra said.

Quentin Richardson scored 20 points and Michael Beasley added 15 for the Heat, who wasted an 18-point first-half lead before digging deep to extend the season.

Rajon Rondo led the Celtics with 23 points. Kevin Garnett had 18 points and 12 rebounds, Paul Pierce scored 16 and Ray Allen added 15 for Boston, which was bidding for its first 4-0 sweep of a series since 1986.

Not so fast.

Wade scored 19 points in the final quarter alone. He'll opt to become a free agent after the season, and on the slim chance that this was his final home game in Miami, it was nothing short of scintillating.

Trailing by six entering the final quarter and needing a rally to keep the season alive, Miami opened the fourth on a 25-8 run, fueled mostly by Wade. He hit a pair of 3-pointers about a minute apart, stopping after the second to scream at his right hand, giving Miami an 85-80 lead.

"Just a sensational player," Celtics coach Doc Rivers marveled.

Another 3-pointer from Wade made it 93-82 with 6:12 left.

Over, right?

Not against the Celtics.