BOSTON (NBA) - Rajon Rondo fought through a dislocated left elbow to inspire the Boston Celtics to a 97-81 victory in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Miami Heat.

Rondo suffered the injury as he and Dwyane Wade got tangled up and crashed to the floor in the third quarter, with the Celtics playmaker landing awkwardly on his left arm.

But the two-time All Star shook off the knock and scored a pair of big baskets in the final frame to help Boston get their first win of the series and avoid falling into a 3-0 hole that no team has ever come back from.

Miami leads the series 2-1, with Game 4 in Boston on Monday.

"It popped back in when I was on the floor," Rondo said afterwards of his left elbow.

"When I came out (of the game) it was a bit stiff but I was able to come back and give my team some energy defensively.

"It's throbbing, it's definitely tight, it's an experience I've never felt before but with the trainers we have I'm sure I'll be ready to go in a couple of days.

"It's a painful feeling but I'll be fine, it's not big deal. It's not an excuse. I'll be ready to play in two days. It hurts but my adrenaline is going right now and I was able to get my team a lift."

After losing the first two games in Miami, Boston got off to a good start at home, taking a 23-13 lead in the first quarter.

But the visiting Heat came back in the second period and edged in front for a 46-44 halftime score.

The Celtics came out of the locker room with renewed energy and intent, scoring the first 10 points of the second half to go back in front 53-47.

They accounted for 16 of the first 20 points of the third quarter and took a comfortable lead they would maintain.

Rondo's steal and breakaway dunk with 8:39 left in the game put Boston up 81-63.

Kevin Garnett had 28 points and 18 rebounds in the win, with Paul Pierce breaking out of a slump to add 27. Rondo finished with six points and 11 assists.

Miami's big three of Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh combined to shoot 15 of 41 from the floor.

Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies showed there is nothing they cannot overcome as they rallied from a 16-point deficit to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 101-93 in overtime.

The win saw the eighth seeded team in the Western Conference take a 2-1 lead in the semi-final series.

The visiting Thunder were in control late in the third quarter as they took their biggest lead of the night, 70-54.

It seemed the game was out of reach for a Memphis team looking discombobulated.

But the hosts somehow turned the tables around, reeling off a 13-2 run as part of a 23-10 fourth quarter comeback to tie the game at 86.

Both teams had shots to win it in regulation but Kevin Durant back-rimmed a 20-footer and Zach Randolph missed a three-pointer in the closing seconds.

In the overtime, Memphis took over for good.

Tony Allen and Mike Conley scored lay-ups and the former then hit a pair of free-throws with 2:56 to go. The Grizzlies sealed the win from the foul line.

Randolph finished with 21 points and a franchise record 21 rebounds. Conley and OJ Mayo added 18 while Spain international Marc Gasol had 16.

Game 4 is in Memphis on Monday.

On Sunday, the Dallas Mavericks can sweep the two-time defending champions Los Angeles Lakers, while the Atlanta Hawks look to tie their series against the visiting Chicago Bulls at two games a piece.

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