NBA Playoffs 2011: Miami Heat Burn Boston Celtics—Game 2 Reaction

The Final: Heat-102 Boston-91

Hero: LeBron James (35 PTS, 7 REB, 2 ASS, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 14/25 FG, 2/4 3FG, 5/8 FT). A machine on both ends tonight, LeBron tattooed Boston in the third quarter and finished with 24 second-half points. He was the Human Highlight tonight.

Highlight of the Night: There were so many to choose from, but Wade’s first half “eurostep” that sent Garnett chasing tail was beautiful.

Stat: Via @HoopsData: “To date in playoffs, Heat are +92 in Joel Anthony’s 221 minutes on the floor. Heat -35 in JA’s 115 minutes on bench.” Box scores aren’t the half of it. Joel has unquestionably been a critical component to this team on both ends. Despite his lack of offensive dexterity and touch, he continues to battle and keeps plays alive. Defensively, he’s as versatile as they come. He can defend the pick-and-roll as well as any big in the league while also proving to be a major threat at the rim, affecting the shot even if he doesn’t get a piece of it.

Quote:  ”The series is far—far, far, far—from over.” – LeBron James after the game

Heat Hater of the night: Skip Bayless, via twitter: “Obviously not a fair fight tonite. Pierce hurt, limited, stood around. Ray Allen, out 2nd half. Rondo, wrenched back, tentative. Letdown.” >>> Laughing. You just realized this team is old, Skip?

Remember when… Dallas went up 2-0 on Miami in the 2006 finals? Remember when everyone and their mother said that series was over? I certainly do and I hope the Heat haven’t forgotten how easy it is for a series to swing. However, last year the Celtics didn’t have home court in three playoff series and still went 4-2 on the road in the first two games of those series. They aren’t used to 0-2 holes.

Series Outlook: The Heat have to be thrilled protecting home court, but not too thrilled. Three full days off obviously is going to help the Celtics more than the Heat. Still the magic number has to be one, right? A team has never come back from 0-3 in playoff history and these players know it. At the very least, if Miami can take one of these next two in Boston, they have to be feeling pretty good, considering they’d then have two chances to close out the series at home, (game five or seven).

Game 5: 8:00 PM (ET), Saturday (ABC)

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