Statement Made In Celtics Win Over Heat
BOSTON (CBS) – The Boston Celtics beat the Heat for the second time in two weeks Tuesday night, making an even louder statement than their blowout at the Garden last Sunday.
The Celtics went punch-for-punch with the Heat in an offensive shootout – or as Kevin Garnett would call it, "a bar fight" – on Tuesday down in Miami, something not many teams can say this season. It was a playoff atmosphere, and the Celtics rose to the occasion.
"We told them before the game, you're in a boxing match, you expect to get hit," head coach Doc Rivers said after the game. "They're going to hit you. They did and we withstood it. I thought that was important for our team."
Although they pride themselves on their defense, and there wasn't all that much of in the 115-107 victory, the Celtics walked off the American Airways Arena court with their heads high and the rest of the NBA wondering if the veteran group is jelling at just the right time. While the C's would prefer to stay out of the offensive track meets, knowing they can win one against a powerful offense like the Heat is a bit re-assuring.
"Really, you don't want to get in these type of games. You scout them, you do the pregame thing and it's 'Don't make this a track meet,'" Paul Pierce said after scoring a team-high 27 points. "But I guess that's exactly what it was. We showed we can go out there and put up over 100 points if we move the ball."
The defense was there when it was needed, and the Celtics actually out-rebounded Miami 40-34. After leading by as much as 18 in the first half, Miami made their runs and pulled within two in the final frame. But the comeback attempt was as weak as the "MVP" chant for Lebron James when he took to the free throw line with just over four minutes left, and the Heat folded. They showed more interest in arguing with the referees than trying to keep pace with Boston, and the Celtics took advantage.
Without a doubt, Boston fed off Garnett throughout the game. With Miami within a bucket of Boston's lead in the fourth quarter, KG made four straight shots to get that cushion back up to double-digits. He hit all six of his shots in final frame and finished with 24 points on 11-for-14 shooting. Garnett was determined on both ends of the floor, and Miami had no answer.
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The Celtics kept the ball moving on offense and found the guys with an open shot. Boston shot an amazing 61-percent from the field and hit nine of their 14 three-pointers. This was all against one of the better defenses in the NBA (or, so we thought).
When the Celtics beat the Heat 91-72 on April Fool's day, it was chalked up to a new-look Celtics getting the best of a Miami team that wasn't really motivated for the game. After that embarrassment, the Heat reportedly called a players only meeting, and viewed Tuesday night's clash as their biggest game of the season.
If that was the case, Miami failed miserably. Chris Bosh still looks lost against Garnett, and while Lebron James put up his numbers (36 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds), it was all for naught. Even better, the Celtics have sent Miami limping into their Thursday showdown with the East-leading Bulls.
Meanwhile, the Celtics are strolling along playing their best basketball of the season. They are now 18-7 since the All-Star Break and hold a three-game lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in the Atlantic Division. Sitting fourth in the playoff standings, Boston is two games back of the Indiana Pacers for the three-seed.
While it remains unclear if the Celtics will be able to run with the Heat and the rest of the NBA elite in a seven games series, there is little doubt Miami would prefer to skip out on the surging C's in the playoffs.
In the last two weeks the Celtics have beaten the Heat with defense, and they've beaten the Heat with offense. The statement has been made, the Celtics have hit their stride, and the rest of the league should be on alert.
