Celtics vs. Heat: How Boston Will Beat Miami in Game 2

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals didn't go so well for the Boston Celtics. The Miami Heat dismantled them down the stretch and turned the game into a blowout.

There were some clear issues in the loss to Miami, and Boston must change some things in order to tie this series up at one. The Celtics will need to win at least one game on the road if they want to get to the NBA Finals.

Here's how Boston will win its first game on the road in this series.

Stop Dwayne Wade or LeBron James

Easier said than done, but Boston must stop either Dwayne Wade or LeBron James. With Chris Bosh out of the lineup, that makes it slightly easier to contain Miami.

The Celtics can't allow the Heat's Batman and Robin to combine for 50, 60 or 70 points or else they will find themselves in deep trouble. Just ask the Indiana Pacers how hard it is to win when Miami's two best players go off for a big game.

If Boston can stop one or the other, or at the very least contain them, Miami doesn't have enough firepower around Wade or LeBron to make up for the loss in points. The Heat are very much dependent upon their two best players to put points on the board.

Look for Doc Rivers' squad to clog the paint and not allow so many easy baskets. That was the difference in their lack of success in guarding Wade and LeBron in Game 1.

Paul Pierce Must Get Going

The Celtics aren't scoring points as easily as they used to. With Avery Bradley injured and Ray Allen not feeling 100 percent, Pierce must step up even more to fill the void.

Pierce shot an abysmal 5-of-18 from the floor for only 12 points. While it's nice that Kevin Garnett was the leading scorer with 23 points, that can't happen if the Celts want to have success against their rivals.

Rajon Rondo must make things happen to help Pierce get the looks he needs. Pierce simply needs to shoot at a better clip if he wants to help his team. As always, this team will live and die with Pierce's production and Game 2 will be no different.

Increase Physicality

Boston is already guaranteeing more physicality for Game 2, and that's something it will need in order to stop and frustrate the Heat.

According to Brian Windhorst and Chris Forsberg of ESPN.com, Pierce and the Celtics have expressed the team's need to be more physical and its benefits.

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"It's got to be more physical from our part," Paul Pierce said. "We've got to show better resistance. We thought it was way too easy for them in Game 1 and they looked very comfortable. Hopefully in Game 2 we can make it a little bit more uncomfortable for them. We're a team that really thrives on our physicality, our defense, our half-court grind-it-out style. And now we have to show it."

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It's noticeable that when teams are physical with the Heat, the complaining begins. That will help the Celts take their opponents' heads out of the game in the process. That is, of course, as long as the refs aren't making ticky-tack foul calls Miami's way.

No team in the NBA does a better job of being physical than Boston.

But there is a certain comfort zone the Heat like to be in—driving to the hoop easily and scoring buckets down low. Take them out of that comfort zone and Miami will have a tough time getting its offense going.