Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce Makes Miami Heat Wilt Under Pressure of Game 5

It was there for the taking, home-court advantage in a sunny locale with a fashionably late arriving crowd. The seats awash in a sea of white t-shirts waiting for Heat fans to don them. This was the backdrop for the all-important Game 5. This was when Dwyane Wade, and according to Skip Bayless, "the frozen one" LeBron James would annihilate the too-old Boston Celtics. 

But a funny thing happened on the way to the game.  Mickael Pietrus rediscovered his three-point shot and defensive intensity.  Greg Stiemsma made a timely layup and garnered four rebounds.  Keyon Dooling, a native South Floridian, made a timely hoop. Notice I haven't even mentioned the Championship Four, who just keep doing what they know what to do. 

Game 5 started as expected with a crowd that barely registered on the Richter scale of fandom and was still missing when Miami sprinted out to a 13-point lead.  Boston did a strange thing during that time; they methodically walked the ball up.  This was a smart move on Doc Rivers' part, because the Heat had been playing catchup for the last four games.  Everyone has been talking about the Celtics' old legs; however, when you have to continually keep playing catchup, tired legs are tired legs.

In Game 2, the Heat were able to salvage a win with some dubious officiating calls, but by Game 5, the refs were an afterthought because they did not impact the game in a negative way.  Boston's game-day strategy worked to perfection; Wade and James were not able to get to the free-throw line.  This aided the Celtics in keeping the game close.

To quote the immortal Kevin Garnett, its about "grit and balls."  With under a minute left. Paul Pierce calmly looked at LeBron, who for some reason gave him all the room he needed.  This from a player who prides himself on defense.  Pierce drained the game-winning three-pointer after having an off shooting night.  A perfect example of KG's mantra.  Though Miami showed some of the requisite grit, they have not been able to muster the "fortitude."  In fact, they continuously shrink and end up being raisins in the sun under the glare of the bright lights.

The Heat are saying all the right things, feeling that they are at their best when their backs are against the wall.  Well, here's the bulletin:  Your backs were against the wall in Game 5 and you are now becoming a permanent part of that fixture.

Eric Spoelstra looked just as scared and indecisive as Wade and LeBron. He refuse to put Bosh back in the game when it was clearly a win-or-go-home situation. Coach 'Spo"can also design all the plays he wants in the huddle.  But when the player formerly known as "Flash" and "The Chosen One" get on the court, they only have eyes for each other. 

The Heat is metaphorically rising and no amount of air conditioning can keep Miami from falling into the abyss of failure.

The Celtics will take Game 6.