Heat Rout Celtics

The Miami Heat just got much closer to locking down home court advantage for at least two rounds in the playoffs,  by defeating the Boston Celtics 100-77 on Sunday.

The Heat’s defense was exceptional.  Lebron James had 4 steal and Dwyane Wade simply was lights out on the defensive side of the ball.  Wade was stifling, contesting very shot and getting yet another highlight block.  He is the best shot-blocking guard in the league, and its not close as to who is second.

Boston jumped out to an early lead, but that would change as soon as the Celtics took Kevin Garnett off the floor, replacing him with Jeff Green and moving Glenn Davis to center.

This lineup failed miserably for the Celtics.  Miami took advantage by attacking the Celtics in the paint with none other than Joel Anthony, who proved to be very effective in this game.  Anthony was very aggressive and it paid off.  James was able to find him multiple times while driving to the basket.  Anthony also set some very good screens, freeing up open lanes and shots for the rest of the team.

The game plan for Miami was simple and effective.  Play great defense, be more physical underneath the basket and use its superior athleticism to make plays in transition.  The Heat did all three very well.

In addition Miami played great team basketball for the entire game.  It t  There was much less “hero ball” in this contest.  Rather Miami was very unselfish.  Moving the ball on every possession and finding the best possible shot.

As a result, Miami shot its best percentage against Boston all season at almost 51% from the field.  Mario Chalmers added some good minutes off of the bench, which was much more effective than it has been in a while.

Perhaps the most interesting stat from this game is the fact that Miami had 18 turnovers and still won by 23 points.  Turnovers have been a problem for Miami for most of the season, this is going to have to change in the playoffs.  The Heat need to be more consistent with its ball control.

Rajon Rondo struggled against Miami for the first time this season.  He looked nothing like the point guard that torched the Heat in the previous three meetings.  Rondo had just 7 points and 5 rebounds in 37 minutes of action.  I would not count on that happening very often.  Especially with Mike Bibby defending.

No offense to Bibby, who has been shooting very well since being inserted into the starting lineup.  He struggled with his shot against Boston, but hit a big three in the fourth at a point when Boston had cut the lead to 10 points.

This rivalry certainly escalated during the second quarter when Lebron was fouled very hard by Jermaine O’Neal.  O’Neal body-checked James while he was driving into the lane.

Immediately following the contact which resulted in a flagrant foul being issued to O’Neal, James spiked the ball into O’Neal’s chest, resulting in a technical foul being issued to James for his reaction.  This ignited another altercation between Wade and Paul Pierce, the heated argument between these two resulted in a double technical foul.

Even the crowd came alive in defense if their home team for the first time all season, chanting “Let’s Go Heat!” as the fouls were being reviewed.

It is clear that Boston is clearly struggling without any type of presence down low.  The Celtics were beaten badly on the boards, getting out rebounded by 16.

James was able to attack the paint with ease, finding open shots for his teammates when Boston clamped down on him.  It was certainly his most efficient game against the Celtics by far this season.

For now, it seems that Boston needs to find some answers for the absence of Kendrick Perkins.  Jeff Green does not help them against Miami the way Perkins did.  He took away the painted area by blocking and altering shots.  There is not one body on the Celtics roster that can replace his production.

Miami must win each of its last two games in order to safely clinch the second seed in the East.  If the Heat does happen to slip up, Boston could still overtake Miami if they were to subsequently win-out.

Definitely an exciting victory for Miami.  The Heat has been in need of a win such as this one, proving that they can beat the defending Eastern Conference Champs.

These two teams are destined to meet in the second round of the playoffs, and it will be fun too watch.  Especially with the freshly added drama on Sunday.