BOSTON _ What the Miami Heat experienced at TD Garden was a microcosm of their season.
A significant deficit, a move within contention, and then still more required.
As far as Monday night's scoreboard, it added up to a 110-105 loss to the Boston Celtics, after trimming what had been an early 23-point deficit to three late in the fourth quarter.
As far as the standings, hope remains, with Monday's results leaving the Heat as the No. 8 and final seed in the Eastern Conference, now with five games left in their regular season.
Goran Dragic sparked the Heat with a season-high 30 points, supported by a 19-point, 14-rebound double-double from center Bam Adebayo.
Center Al Horford filled out the box score for the Celtics, with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, with guard Kyrie Irving scoring 25.
A twisting jumper by Dwyane Wade with just over two minutes to play drew the Heat within 103-100.
But then, after Dion Waiters was off on a potential tying 3-pointer, Irving raced to a three-point play on the other end for a 106-100 Boston lead.
A Wade tip-in with 58 seconds then got the Heat within 106-102, but that's where the rally stalled.
Even with the loss, the Heat retained that No. 8 playoff position, at 38-39, with the Orlando Magic losing on the road to the Toronto Raptors, to fall to 38-40. The Heat also remained one game behind the Detroit Pistons, who fell to the Indiana Pacers to drop to 39-38.
The Heat trailed 36-17 at the end of the opening period, 61-47 at halftime, and, after closing within eight in the third period, went into the fourth down 88-77.
Dragic helped fuel the Heat's revival with 13 third-quarter points.
