MIAMI (AP) — Heat coach Erik Spoelstra took responsibility Saturday for the decision to not foul Boston’s Paul Pierce on the last possession of the Celtics’ backbreaking Game 3 victory over Miami.
The Heat had a foul to give when Pierce got the ball for the final play Friday night. Pierce dribbled against Miami’s Dorell Wright, pulled up and hit a 21-footer as time expired to give Boston a 100-98 win and a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round series.
Spoelstra says it’s not part of Miami’s defensive philosophy to foul in that situation, and added that the way Pierce handled the play would have made it difficult for Wright to defend him any other way.
Spoelstra says “it’s on me.”
Game 4 is Sunday in Miami.
