"Freudian slip of the day in Heat Land?

That goes to LeBron James, who said the following when I asked him Friday what potential impact Shaquille O'Neal's return might have on these Eastern Conference semifinals.

"You can only put five guys on the line — on the court — at one time," James said, quickly catching himself. "We'll see what happens."

Yes, Hack-a-Shaq could be back in play tonight in Boston as the Celtics break the glass that has encased the Big Leprechaun these past three months.

Down 2-0 and looking old, the proud Celtics definitely find themselves in emergency mode.

While the Heat clearly intend to give Udonis Haslem a little more time to heal his injured foot, the Celtics are going to suit up an old warhorse that has played just five minutes since Feb. 1 due to an assortment of injuries.

That's not five minutes per game, folks.

That's five minutes total.

How sad, right?

How desperate.

How predictable.

And yet, what choice do the fading former champions really have as they search for a spark — any kind of spark — to keep this series from ending way sooner than it was supposed to?

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Friday his team fully expects a "championship-caliber response" from the Celtics in Game 3.

From the Big Four — Rajon Rondo must be included now — I'll buy it.

But from a 39-year-old Shaq? An all-time great whose best days are (way) behind him?"