Celtics vs. Heat: Game 2 Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Analysis

It took overtime, but the Miami Heat knocked off the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals by a score of 115-111.

It was a back-and-forth game in every sense of the word, and with the win, the Heat take a 2-0 series lead heading into Boston.

After the Celtics took a huge first-half lead, the Heat climbed back into it. Then there were about 74 lead changes before Ray Allen hit a game-tying three-pointer near the end of regulation, and LeBron James clanked a potential game-winner at the buzzer.

In overtime, the Heat finally ran away with it.

Let's take a closer at this exciting game.

Video Highlights

Paul Pierce showed early that he was feeling very healthy as he put down this big-time two-handed dunk on Shane Battier.

In the third quarter, LeBron James showed that Dwyane Wade isn't the only Heat player who can make big-time outlet passes, as he found Wade for the layup.

Twitter Reaction

ESPN's Chris Palmer pointed out just how ridiculously involved Rajon Rondo was in Boston's offense early in the game:

"

Rajon Rondo has scored or assisted on 26 of Boston's 39 points.

— chris palmer (@ESPNChrisPalmer) May 30, 2012"

My Synergy Sports gives us a good stat about how Rondo likes to shoot:

"

Rajon Rondo had made just 25% (9/36) of his pull up jump shots coming into game 2.Was 10/23 shooting off catch (44%).

— mySynergySports (@mySynergySports) May 30, 2012"

Clearly, Rondo is much better when he is in rhythm.

Yes, here comes another Rondo tweet (by ESPN/Grantland's Bill Simmons), but that's how good he was in the first half. Also, he is who everyone was talking about:

"

Surprised nobody on ESPN made a bigger deal that Rondo went all 24 mins in the first half. Monster effort by Rondo, big gamble by Doc.

— Bill Simmons (@sportsguy33) May 30, 2012"

Grantland's Sebastian Pruiti gives us this sarcastic tweet about how underrated Erik Spoelstra is:

"

Miami has been dominating 3rd quarters all postseason...Spoelstra doesn't make adjustments though...

— SebastianPruiti (@SebastianPruiti) May 30, 2012"

Hardwood Paroxysm, aka Matt Moore of CBS, pointed out that the Celtics' fast break was lacking a little something:

"

Man, when the fast break is Rondo, Pierce, and Allen, I don't think you can qualify it as "fast" anymore.

— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 30, 2012"

The NBA Guru gives us this thought about how the Celtics showed great reserve not giving up in the fourth quarter:

"

Major props to the Celtics. Could have packed it in when the Heat went on that vicious run, but they've battled back. Hard.

"

"— NBA Guru (@NBAGuru) May 30, 2012"

"
"

Of course, a late Miami run forced overtime, where they pulled out the win. 

Grades for Key Heat Players

Rajon Rondo: A+

This will go down as one of the top three performances of the 2012 playoffs. Rondo did absolutely everything he could to help his team win, but it somehow wasn't enough.

The unsteady-shooting point guard knocked down at least eight shots from mid-range on his way to a career-high 44 points (16-of-24 from the field) to go with 10 assists, eight rebounds and three steals. Oh, and he knocked down 10-of-12 free throws.

And he played all 53 minutes.

And hit two late three-pointers to make things interesting. 

Rondo may be a little too Jekyll and Hyde for some people, but his (very, very, very, very) good side showed up in Game 2. 

It was simply amazing.

Kevin Garnett: B-

Garnett just couldn't get involved in the offense like he probably would have liked. 

He deserves credit for playing well down the stretch in the fourth, but he finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, and had a poor shooting night, hitting just 6-of-18 from the field.

He also didn't add any blocks or steals.

If the Celtics are going to make a come back in this series, KG will have to start producing like he did against Atlanta and Philadelphia. 

Grades for Key Heat Players

LeBron James: A

People are going to whine about the last 30 seconds of the fourth quarter, but James was the reason Miami won this game.

James didn't have a great shooting night, finishing 7-of-20 from the field. Still, he managed to get 24 tries from the charity stripe (although he did miss six of those) to push his point total up to 34.

Additionally, James added 10 rebounds, seven assists, one steal, one block and insanely good defense on a variety of positions. 

It's hard to argue against this performance.

Dwyane Wade: B

It was just kind of a "meh" night from Wade.

He didn't really do anything bad (besides missing four free throws on 11 attempts), but he tallied 23 points, six rebounds and four assists. 

He did have some nice late plays in the fourth quarter and in overtime that make his stat line look better and does deserve some credit, but he was just a little too up and down. 

Deciding Factor: Miami's Role Players

The Miami Heat have proved in their recent games that they can win pretty much with Wade and James dominating, but the fearsome twosome didn't "dominate" like they have been in this one.

At least in regulation.

Good thing, then, for Miami, that their role players came up huge to keep them in it early.

Mario Chalmers poured in 22 points on three three-pointers, Shane Battier had nine points and a key late three in the fourth, Udonis Haslem had 13 points and 11 rebounds, and even Mike Miller continued to be solid in limited time.

If the Heat continue to get production like that from the role players, they will be tough to beat.

Game MVP: LeBron James

Not many people can get as much disrespect as James will get for his 34-10-7 effort. Simply put, it was another amazing effort.

If I was going to nitpick, I'd say he didn't shoot very well, but he makes up for that with all other aspects of the game.

Scoring, passing, defense. LeBron was impressive yet again. 

What's Next: Game 3

These teams head back to Boston for Game 3 of the series. It will take place on Friday, June 1, at 8:30 p.m. EDT.