"With Paul Pierce and Ray Allen already banged up, the last thing the Celtics needed was a hobbled Rajon Rondo. But in the fourth quarter of last night's 102-91 loss to the Miami Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Rondo was laid out on the baseline getting stretched by trainer Bryan Doo.

Rondo was hampered by a back injury that began bothering him yesterday morning. He wore a wrap around his midsection during the team's morning shootaround, which he said kept his back warm.

While Rondo downplayed the use of the wrap, it reappeared during last night's game.

"His back was bothering him this morning," coach Doc Rivers said. "It was bothering him through the game. One time he asked to come out because he got tired."

That was early in the fourth quarter after Rondo had played more than 36 minutes out of a possible 38. The Celtics trailed 76-74 when Rondo went to the bench, where he was stretched by Doo. By the time he returned with 5:46 remaining, the C's were down 87-80 and Miami was in the midst of a game-sealing 14-0 run.

The Celtics offense sputtered though a 4:21 scoring drought as the game slipped away.

"We just have to make an adjustment," said Rondo, who led the C's with 20 points and 12 assists. "The games aren't going to go perfect or always as you planned, so you have to make an adjustment. During that stretch, I don't think I was in the game. (Delonte West) played great, but that one stretch hurt us. We trailed them the entire game and to get it 80-80 and for them to go on a (14-0) run, it's not acceptable."

The Celtics were searching for answers much of the night. A few times players uncharacteristically convened on the court before reaching the timeout huddle at the bench."