Why C's fans should be pleased with Game 4 ref assignments

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The Boston Celtics will be looking for any edge they can get Wednesday night as they try to even the Eastern Conference finals at two games apiece in Game 4.

That includes working the officials -- and history suggests they might find success in that department.

The NBA confirmed Wednesday that Scott Foster will be crew chief for Celtics-Heat Game 4 and work alongside Tony Brothers and Tre Maddox.

Forsberg: Are C's ready to prove they're the better team?

Foster and Brothers are longtime NBA referees, and chances are you've heard Tommy Heinsohn gripe about both over the years.

But it turns out Foster has been a good luck charm for Boston of late. According to Rotoworld's EDGE Finder, the Celtics are a perfect 5-0 this season when Foster is the crew chief.

Increase the sample size, and you'll find the C's are 9-3 over the last two seasons when Foster is the head official.

The last time Foster was the head ref for a Celtics contest? Game 7 of the East semifinals, which Boston won in a 92-87 rockfight with the Toronto Raptors.

If Heat fans are looking for a silver lining, they'll point to the fact that Miami is 9-1 in its last 10 games officiated by Brothers. The Celtics also have had success when Brothers is the head ref, though, going 10-5 over the last two seasons.

And when Foster is the crew chief -- as is the case Wednesday night -- the Heat are a pedestrian 5-5 in their last 10.

Foster-officiated games tend to be lower-scoring and more tightly called. But such a game may not be the worst thing for the Celtics, who boast the best defensive rating in the bubble at 104.2.

We'll find out if Foster can continue to pay dividends for Boston when Game 4 tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday night.

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