Celtics-Heat Preview

By TIM REYNOLDS
Posted Apr 09 2011 5:33PM

MIAMI (AP) Somehow, after 79 games, nothing between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat has been decided.

Boston, 55-24.

Miami, 55-24.

Tied for the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference, one team will take a stranglehold on the race for home-court through at least the first two playoff rounds on Sunday when the Celtics and Heat meet in Miami. Boston is 3-0 in the season-series between the clubs, and has won 18 of its last 20 games against the Heat since April 2007.

But if Miami finds a way on Sunday, that Celtic dominance may be temporarily forgotten.

"Let's toss the ball up and play," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Saturday. "We think we're a different team than the last three times we've played them, but until we prove it in between the lines, it doesn't matter."

The Heat are understandably thrilled that Game 4 of the regular-season series is in Miami. That won't be the case if Game 4 of a potential Heat-Celtics postseason series is also in Miami.

The No. 1 seed in the East has been locked up by the Chicago Bulls, and in some order, seeds 2 and 3 will go to Miami and Boston. So that means the Heat and Celtics will be slotted to meet in the East semifinals - where Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 would be hosted by the higher seed.

"This is a big game for us," Boston forward Paul Pierce said in a story published on the team's website, Celtics.com. "That's what we are playing for, for the home court advantage. Not only for the first round, but hopefully we will see them in the second round. This is a big game for us when you are talking about seeds and trying to advance in the playoffs. It's huge."

For the Heat, there's more at stake than just home-court.

This season began with great hubbub in Boston, the team that not only ousted Miami from the playoffs a year ago, but also knocked out Cleveland - and LeBron James - in the second round last spring. Simply put, the Heat just want to prove to themselves that they can beat the Celtics.

"We're going against a team that we haven't beaten this year, that we kind of looked at before the season as needing to get to that point as far as chemistry, as far as what they do as a team," James said. "There is not one guy on their team that you have to pay attention to - it's every last one of them. We're looking forward to the challenge."

The games this year have not necessarily brought the best out of either club.

The season-opener got off to an ugly start, Boston leading 16-9 after the first quarter and eventually prevailing 88-80 after holding Miami to 36 percent shooting. They met again two weeks later, Boston taking as much as a 20-point lead that the Heat whittled down to three in the final half-minute before falling 112-107.

Then came an absolute second-half debacle for Miami on Feb. 13, when the Heat got outscored by 17 in the third quarter and lost again, 85-82.

"It's about the team that's going to make the plays down the stretch, who's going to execute the best down the stretch," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. "That team's going to win the ballgame."

Sunday's winner will still likely need to post at least one more victory in the season's final two games to lock up the No. 2 spot. If the teams finish tied, Boston will take the tiebreaker, though neither side seems all that interested in the various permutations of what-might-happen.

They prefer the simpler terms. Win out, and get home-court twice.

"We control our own destiny," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.

So does Miami.

NOTES: Celtics C Shaquille O'Neal did not accompany the team on its flight to Miami on Saturday, still bothered by a strained right calf. ... Spoelstra reiterated Saturday that the decision to move Zydrunas Ilgauskas into the starting lineup at center is geared more toward getting ready for the playoff rotation. ... Heat F Chris Bosh, on the meaning of Sunday in terms of seeding: "Our intentions were 1, but we have a chance to get 2. So that's not bad, and it's our first year together."

Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

James' 27 lift Miami past Boston, 100-77

By TIM REYNOLDS
Posted Apr 10 2011 7:25PM

MIAMI (AP) If this was an Eastern Conference semifinals preview, then the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics showed what to expect.

Few pleasantries.

Pushing and shoving.

And maybe a Game 7 in Miami.

LeBron James scored 27 points, Dwyane Wade added 14 and the Heat moved closer to the No. 2 seed in the East playoffs Sunday by beating the sliding Celtics 100-77.

"It was a playoff-atmosphere type of game, from the fans to both teams' approach to what the game meant," Wade said. "It had that feel."

Miami moved a game ahead of Boston, trimming its magic number to clinch the second seed to two. The teams will finish second and third in some order behind Chicago in the East, slotted to play in the conference semifinals.

"We'd like to play them, I can tell you that," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "And we may have to if we want to go somewhere."

Chris Bosh added 13 points and eight rebounds for Miami, which had been 0-3 against Boston this season, though Heat coach Erik Spoelstra cautioned against overstating the win's importance.

"We proved we can beat them tonight," Spoelstra said. "That's about it, in my mind."

Paul Pierce scored 24 points and Kevin Garnett added 21 for Boston, which lost for the 10th time in its last 19 games. The Celtics were outrebounded 42-26, and outscored 44-26 in the paint.

"What else do you expect? It's Boston-Miami," Garnett said. "Supposedly it's two of, if not the top two, teams in the East. You have to expect that. You have to expect that coming in here you're not going to get the call. You had to expect their passion - a team you have beaten three times."

The Heat finally solved the Boston hex, beating the Celtics for the third time in the last 21 meetings. Bosh had been 1-13 against Boston since March 2007, and the Celtics ended both the 2009-10 seasons for Wade (in the first round) and James (in the second round).

Miami won for the 13th time in its last 16 games, and its bench - maligned for much of the season - outscored Boston's 32-12.

"What worked for us today is, offensively we played together," Wade said.

Ray Allen scored 13 points for the Celtics. Rajon Rondo was held to just seven points and five assists on 3 for 8 shooting.

"Frustration is high on our team right now," Rivers said.

Miami's role players were huge.

Mario Chalmers had nine points in the second quarter, when the Heat took the lead. Joel Anthony had eight rebounds in the first half, two less than the entire Boston roster. Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored six quick points early in the third as the Heat remained in control, and Anthony took advantage of a triple-team on James for a dunk and a 74-59 lead on the final play of the third quarter.

Of course, this being Celtics-Heat, nothing would come easily for Miami.

Down by 22, Boston ran off 12 straight points, Allen starting it with a four-point play, and Pierce adding both a 3-pointer and a three-point play to get the Celtics within 85-75.

It was the last gasp. Mike Bibby's 3-pointer with 4:49 left, followed by Bosh's follow of James' miss, sent the lead back to 15.

"We built that lead by just keeping guys in front of us, contesting shots and flying around defensively," James said.

Boston scored the game's first eight points and hit eight of its first nine shots. The Celtics were making it seem easy, especially when Garnett - who hadn't made a 3-pointer all season - stepped into one from the left wing and connected for a 22-15 lead.

"It looked like the same old song," Spoelstra said.

It didn't stay that way. Boston went scoreless for the next 6:17, and Miami took the lead for good on the opening possession of the second quarter.

Tensions were already high, and emotions soon boiled over.

Jermaine O'Neal - who had just been easily scored on by James 27 seconds earlier in transition - tried to stop another drive by the two-time reigning MVP with a shoulder check with about 4 minutes left in the second, making no play on the ball.

A scrum quickly broke out under the basket. O'Neal earned a flagrant-1, James got a technical for throwing the ball back at O'Neal, Wade and Pierce also got technicals for some pushing and jostling, and a small amount of debris flew from the stands onto the court.

"I thought it was all theatrical, all the crap. I guess that's called toughness these days," Rivers said. "Two guys run into each other, we've got to call a flagrant foul, which I thought was a joke. And I thought the reactions by both were a joke."

Bosh earned another technical 2 1/2 minutes later for arguing he tied up a loose ball with Rondo, only to have referees award Boston a timeout. But the Heat kept their composure, kept pouring it on after halftime, then turned their eyes toward road games that loom large at Atlanta on Monday and Toronto on Wednesday.

"This is cool and all," Bosh said, "but we still have two more games."

NOTES: Bosh addressed the crowd before Miami's final home regular-season game, saying "We couldn't do it without you." ... Heat C Erick Dampier (rest and knee treatment) was inactive, and Miami only got seven minutes from Mike Miller, who left with a sprained left thumb - not the one he broke near the start of the season. ... Rivers said G Carlos Arroyo - who Miami waived earlier this season - gave "us the entire Miami scouting report."

Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Celtics-Heat notebook

By Shandel D. Richardson, for NBA.com
Posted Sunday April 10, 2011 7:47PM

THE FACTS: The Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics 100-77 Sunday at AmericanAirlines Arena. Forward LeBron James scored a game-high 27 points while guard Dwyane Wade added 13 and forward Chris Bosh had 13. After falling behind early, the Heat took control in the third quarter and picked up their first victory against the Celtics this season. They had lost three previous three meetings. The win gives the Heat the inside the track on the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 24 points while Kevin Garnett added 21.

QUOTABLE: "We're not done. It would mean nothing to take care of this game, for us not to finish off the next two."
-- Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

THE STAT: The Heat's bench has been often criticized, but it scored 32 points today. The play from Mario Chalmers, Juwan Howard and Joel Anthony eased the burden on Wade, Bosh and James. It was one of the Heat's complete efforts from the supporting cast.

TURNING POINT: The key to the game was the Heat's ability to contain Rajon Rondo. After having big performances in the first three games, he finished with just seven points and five assists. The Heat were able to do it with solid efforts on the defensive end from Chalmers and Mike Bibby.

HOT: His numbers don't appear here often, but Joel Anthony was the Heat's unsung hero. Spoelstra has said all season how his effort often goes unnoticed because it doesn't appear in the box score. Anthony finished with seven points and 10 rebounds while also playing solid defense on Celtics forward Kevin Garnett.

NOT: Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen were virtually non-factors. They finished a combined 7 of 17 from the field for 20 points. Rondo's number were especially damaging because the Celtics rely so much on him as a distributor.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: LeBron James was an efficient 11 of 19 from the field, scoring 27 points. He also had seven assists, five rebounds and four steals.

INSIDE THE ARENA: Actress Gabrielle Union, tennis star Serena Williams, rapper Drake were among a handful of stars on hand to see this matchup.

GOOD MOVE: Spoelstra played Mario Chalmers a lot more in the second half to slow Rondo defensively. Then at one point he played Chalmers and Mike Bibby in the backcourt. Their effectiveness kept the Heat from having to use Dwyane Wade or LeBron James on Rondo. It kept them fresher on the offensive end.

BAD MOVE: The Celtics didn't play with their usual toughness. The Heat were often the aggressor, offensively and defensively. It was the first time the Heat was more the physical team. It showed with a 42-26 rebounding edge.

NOTABLE: Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas made his second straight start, replacing Erick Dampier...The Heat's win was their first over a top four opponent in the Eastern Conference since Feb. 3 (Orlando) ...Heat swingman Mike Miller sprained his left thumb. His status is unknown.

UP NEXT: For the Heat, Monday @ Atlanta, Wednesday @ Toronto. For the Celtics, Monday @ Washington, Wednesday @ New York.

• Celtics: Bradley, O'Neal, Wafer
• Heat: Dampier, Haslem, Pittman

• Celtics: Pierce
• Heat: Bosh, James, Wade

• Lead Changes: 1
• Times Tied: 2

• Arena: American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL
• Officials: #25 Tony Brothers, #43 Dan Crawford, #38 Michael Smith
• Attendance: 19766
• Duration: 2:32

Boston Celtics (55-25)		Miami Heat (56-24)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Ilgauskas vs O'Neal (Garnett gains possession)
	11:44	Ilgauskas Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Rondo Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	11:44
Team Rebound	11:44
Rondo Free Throw 2 of 2 (1 PTS)	11:44 [BOS 1-0]
	11:19	James Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed
	11:18	Ilgauskas Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	11:17	Ilgauskas Tip Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:13
	11:09	Bosh Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Garnett Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	11:09 [BOS 2-0]
Garnett Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)	11:09 [BOS 3-0]
	10:51	Bibby Jump Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:50
Pierce 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Garnett (1 AST)	10:39 [BOS 6-0]
	10:15	Bosh Foul : Offensive (2 PF)
	10:15	Bosh Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
	10:15	Bosh Substitution replaced by Howard
Garnett Reverse Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: O'Neal (1 AST)	09:59 [BOS 8-0]
	09:38 [MIA 2-8]	Wade Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Allen 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Pierce (1 AST)	09:15 [BOS 11-2]
	09:11	Team Timeout : Regular
	08:51	James Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Allen (1 ST)
O'Neal Turnover : 3 Second Violation (1 TO)	08:33
	08:22	Wade Running Jump Shot: Missed
	08:21	Ilgauskas Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)
	08:20	Ilgauskas Layup Shot: Missed
	08:19	Ilgauskas Rebound (Off:3 Def:0)
	08:18 [MIA 4-11]	Ilgauskas Tip Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Rondo Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Ilgauskas (1 ST)	07:57
	07:54 [MIA 6-11]	James Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Garnett Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)	07:36 [BOS 13-6]
	07:25 [MIA 8-13]	Howard Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: James (1 AST)
Allen Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Bibby (1 ST)	07:06
	07:03	Wade Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Garnett (1 ST)
	07:02	Wade Foul : Personal (1 PF)
O'Neal Substitution replaced by Davis	07:02
	06:49	Bibby Foul : Personal (1 PF)
	06:49	Ilgauskas Substitution replaced by Anthony
Pierce Jump Shot: Made (5 PTS)	06:42 [BOS 15-8]
Garnett Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	06:23
	06:23 [MIA 9-15]	Wade Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	06:23 [MIA 10-15]	Wade Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Garnett Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Rondo (1 AST)	06:07 [BOS 17-10]
Pierce Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	05:53
	05:53	James Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	05:53	Team Rebound
	05:53 [MIA 11-17]	James Free Throw 2 of 2 (3 PTS)
Rondo Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Missed	05:42
	05:41	Anthony Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	05:37	Bibby Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Pierce (1 ST)
Pierce Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Wade (1 ST)	05:35
	05:31 [MIA 13-17]	James Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Wade (1 AST)
Pierce Running Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS)	05:11 [BOS 19-13]
	05:01 [MIA 15-19]	James Dunk Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Howard (1 AST)
Garnett 3pt Shot: Made (11 PTS)	04:28 [BOS 22-15]
	04:16	Wade Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Davis (1 ST)
Pierce 3pt Shot: Missed	03:59
	03:58	Anthony Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	03:47 [MIA 17-22]	Anthony Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: James (2 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	03:35
Garnett Substitution replaced by West	03:35
Allen Substitution replaced by Krstic	03:35
	03:35	Howard Substitution replaced by Miller
Davis Fade Away Jumper Shot: Missed	03:17
Team Rebound	03:17
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	03:17
	03:04	Bibby 3pt Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	03:03
Pierce 3pt Shot: Missed	02:46
	02:45	Wade Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	02:33	Miller Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Krstic Substitution replaced by Green	02:33
	02:11	Wade Substitution replaced by Jones
Rondo Running Jump Shot: Missed	02:08
	02:07	Team Rebound
Green Foul : Loose Ball (1 PF)	02:07
	01:54 [MIA 19-22]	Anthony Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Bibby (1 AST)
Pierce Jump Shot: Missed	01:32
	01:31	Anthony Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
Pierce Foul : Personal (2 PF)	01:29
	01:20	Bibby Jump Shot: Missed
	01:19	Anthony Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	01:13	Bibby 3pt Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	01:12
Rondo Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:James (1 ST)	01:01
	00:53.3	James Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)
Pierce Substitution replaced by Krstic	00:53.3
	00:53.3	James Substitution replaced by Wade
Davis Driving Layup Shot: Missed	00:28.9
	00:27.8	Bibby Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	00:03.7 [MIA 21-22]	Wade Running Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Davis 3pt Shot: Missed	00:00.5
	00:00.2	Miller Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
End of 1st Quarter
Boston Celtics (55-25)		Miami Heat (56-24)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
	11:43	Anthony Jump Shot: Missed
	11:42	Anthony Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
	11:28 [MIA 23-22]	Bosh Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Green Layup Shot: Missed Block: Jones (1 BLK)	11:13
	11:11	Miller Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Davis Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	11:00
	11:00	Bosh Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	11:00	Team Rebound
	11:00 [MIA 24-22]	Bosh Free Throw 2 of 2 (3 PTS)
West Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	10:44
	10:29	Jones Foul : Offensive (1 PF)
	10:29	Jones Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Davis Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: West (1 AST)	10:11 [BOS 24-24]
	09:49	Bosh Jump Shot: Missed
Allen Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:48
Davis Jump Shot: Missed	09:41
	09:40	Bosh Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Davis Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	09:27
	09:27 [MIA 25-24]	Bosh Free Throw 1 of 2 (4 PTS)
	09:27	Bosh Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Krstic Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:26
Krstic Turnover : 3 Second Violation (1 TO)	09:10
Green Foul : Personal (2 PF)	09:03
Allen Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	08:55
	08:55
Krstic Substitution replaced by Garnett	08:55
	08:55	Jones Substitution replaced by Wade
	08:55 [MIA 26-24]	Anthony Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)
	08:55	Anthony Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Green Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:54
	08:39	Miller Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Green Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	08:39 [BOS 25-26]
Green Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)	08:39 [BOS 26-26]
	08:22 [MIA 29-26]	Miller 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Wade (2 AST)
	08:03	Miller Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Green Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)	08:03 [BOS 27-29]
	08:03	Miller Substitution replaced by James
Green Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)	08:03 [BOS 28-29]
	07:50	Wade Foul : Offensive (2 PF)
	07:50	Wade Turnover : Foul (3 TO)
Davis Substitution replaced by O'Neal	07:50
	07:31	Chalmers Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Garnett Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	07:31
Team Rebound	07:31
Garnett Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	07:31
	07:30	Wade Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	07:09 [MIA 32-28]	Chalmers 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: James (3 AST)
Garnett Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: West (2 AST)	07:01 [BOS 30-32]
	06:39 [MIA 34-30]	Chalmers Floating Jump shot: Made (5 PTS)
West Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	06:21
	06:20	Anthony Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)
O'Neal Foul : Defense 3 Second (0 PF)	06:10
West Substitution replaced by Rondo	06:10
Green Substitution replaced by Pierce	06:10
	06:10 [MIA 35-30]	Chalmers Free Throw Technical (6 PTS)
O'Neal Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	06:04
	06:04 [MIA 36-30]	Wade Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
	06:04 [MIA 37-30]	Wade Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
Garnett Jump Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Allen (1 AST)	05:49 [BOS 32-37]
	05:24	James Driving Layup Shot: Missed
	05:22	Bosh Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	05:21	Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover
	05:21	Team Timeout : Regular
Garnett Jump Shot: Missed	05:03
	05:02	James Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	04:50	Chalmers Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Pierce (2 ST)
Pierce Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:James (2 ST)	04:48
	04:46 [MIA 39-32]	James Driving Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS)
O'Neal Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	04:46
	04:46	James Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed
Team Rebound	04:45
O'Neal Jump Shot: Missed	04:22
	04:21	Wade Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
O'Neal Foul : Flagrant Type 1 (3 PF)	04:19
	04:19	James Technical
	04:19	Double Technical - Wade, Pierce
Allen Free Throw Technical (4 PTS)	04:19 [BOS 33-39]
	04:19 [MIA 40-33]	James Free Throw Flagrant 2 of 2 (10 PTS)
	04:19	James Free Throw Flagrant 1 of 1 Missed
	04:19	Team Rebound
O'Neal Substitution replaced by Davis	04:19
	04:12 [MIA 42-33]	Bosh Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Wade (3 AST)
Allen Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)	03:48 [BOS 35-42]
	03:34	Chalmers Foul : Offensive (2 PF)
	03:34	Chalmers Turnover : Foul (2 TO)
Garnett Floating Jump shot: Missed	03:14
	03:13	James Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	03:06 [MIA 44-35]	James Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS)
Davis Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	02:36 [BOS 37-44]
	02:16	Chalmers 3pt Shot: Missed
	02:14	Anthony Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)
	02:10 [MIA 47-37]	Chalmers 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: James (4 AST)
Pierce Jump Shot: Missed Block: James (1 BLK)	01:56
	01:53	Bosh Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	01:51	James Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Davis (2 ST)
Team Timeout : Regular	01:49
	01:49	Bosh Technical
Allen Free Throw Technical (7 PTS)	01:49 [BOS 38-47]
Rondo Layup Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Garnett (2 AST)	01:40 [BOS 40-47]
	01:18	Wade Jump Shot: Missed
	01:17	Anthony Rebound (Off:4 Def:4)
	01:16	Anthony Tip Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	01:15
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	00:54.4
	00:39.9	Chalmers 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:38.9	Wade Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	00:38.7	Wade Layup Shot: Missed Block: Davis (1 BLK)
Davis Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	00:37.9
	00:26.3	Bosh Substitution replaced by Howard
	00:26.3	Jump Ball James vs Pierce (Wade gains possession)
Pierce Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:James (3 ST)	00:26.3
	00:19.2	Team Timeout : Short
Pierce Substitution replaced by Green	00:19.2
	00:19.2	Howard Substitution replaced by Bosh
	00:19.2	Anthony Substitution replaced by Jones
	00:05.2	Wade Driving Layup Shot: Missed
	00:04.2	Bosh Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
	00:02.1	Bosh Jump Shot: Missed
Green Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	00:01.4
End of 2nd Quarter
Boston Celtics (55-25)		Miami Heat (56-24)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
	11:46 [MIA 49-40]	Ilgauskas Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: James (5 AST)
Pierce Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS)	11:23 [BOS 42-49]
	11:10 [MIA 51-42]	James Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Bibby (2 AST)
Allen Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Bibby (2 ST)	10:44
	10:37	Bibby Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Rondo (1 ST)
Pierce Driving Layup Shot: Missed	10:32
	10:30	Wade Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	10:23 [MIA 54-42]	Bibby 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Wade (4 AST)
Team Timeout : Short	10:23
Garnett Dunk Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Allen (2 AST)	10:07 [BOS 44-54]
	09:49 [MIA 56-44]	Bosh Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Bibby (3 AST)
O'Neal Driving Layup Shot: Missed Block: Bosh (1 BLK)	09:32
	09:31	Ilgauskas Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)
	09:14	Bibby 3pt Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	09:13
Allen 3pt Shot: Missed	09:07
	09:06	Team Rebound
	08:46 [MIA 58-44]	Ilgauskas Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Bibby (4 AST)
Team Turnover : Backcourt Turnover	08:31
	08:09	James Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	08:08
	08:01	Bosh Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 (10 PTS)	08:01 [BOS 45-58]
Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 (11 PTS)	08:01 [BOS 46-58]
	07:35	Ilgauskas Jump Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	07:34
Rondo Jump Shot: Made (5 PTS)	07:26 [BOS 48-58]
	07:07	James Jump Shot: Missed
	07:06	Ilgauskas Rebound (Off:4 Def:1)
	07:05 [MIA 60-48]	Ilgauskas Tip Shot: Made (8 PTS)
Garnett Layup Shot: Made (19 PTS) Assist: Rondo (2 AST)	06:56 [BOS 50-60]
O'Neal Foul : Shooting (4 PF)	06:32
O'Neal Substitution replaced by Davis	06:32
	06:32 [MIA 61-50]	Wade Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)
	06:32	Ilgauskas Substitution replaced by Anthony
	06:32 [MIA 62-50]	Wade Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)
Garnett Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	06:17
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	06:16
Allen 3pt Shot: Missed	06:15
	06:13	Team Rebound
	06:00	Bosh Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)
Garnett Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:James (4 ST)	05:50
Garnett Foul : Personal (2 PF)	05:50
	05:50	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:37	James Driving Layup Shot: Missed Block: Allen (1 BLK)
	05:36	Team Rebound
	05:34	Bosh Layup Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	05:31
Davis Jump Shot: Missed	05:22
	05:21	James Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
Pierce Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	05:18
	05:18 [MIA 63-50]	James Free Throw 1 of 2 (15 PTS)
	05:18 [MIA 64-50]	James Free Throw 2 of 2 (16 PTS)
	05:01	James Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Pierce 3pt Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Allen (3 AST)	04:55 [BOS 53-64]
	04:37	Wade Jump Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	04:36
Rondo Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS)	04:28 [BOS 55-64]
	04:02	James 3pt Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	04:00
Allen Layup Shot: Missed Block: Wade (1 BLK)	03:56
	03:56	Bosh Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
	03:42	Bibby Jump Shot: Missed
	03:38	Bosh Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)
	03:35 [MIA 66-55]	Bosh Driving Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS)
Davis Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	03:35
Allen Substitution replaced by West	03:35
	03:35 [MIA 67-55]	Bosh Free Throw 1 of 1 (11 PTS)
Garnett Jump Shot: Missed	03:26
	03:21	Team Rebound
	03:21	Bosh Substitution replaced by Howard
	03:04 [MIA 69-55]	Wade Floating Jump shot: Made (12 PTS)
Pierce Jump Shot: Made (16 PTS)	02:45 [BOS 57-69]
	02:17	James 3pt Shot: Missed
	02:13	Howard Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	02:04	Wade Jump Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	02:02
Garnett Jump Shot: Missed	01:51
	01:47	Bibby Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	01:28 [MIA 71-57]	Howard Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Anthony (1 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	01:25
Garnett Substitution replaced by Krstic	01:25
	01:25	Wade Substitution replaced by Chalmers
Davis Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Pierce (2 AST)	01:10 [BOS 59-71]
Pierce Foul : Personal (4 PF)	00:57.7
Pierce Substitution replaced by Green	00:57.7
	00:57.7 [MIA 72-59]	James Free Throw 1 of 2 (17 PTS)
	00:57.7	James Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Green Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	00:56.9
Rondo Jump Shot: Missed	00:34.9
	00:33.8	Bibby Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	00:11.3	Chalmers Floating Jump shot: Missed
	00:10.3	Team Rebound
	00:02.3 [MIA 74-59]	Anthony Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: James (6 AST)
Rondo 3pt Shot: Missed	00:00.2
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 3rd Quarter
Boston Celtics (55-25)		Miami Heat (56-24)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
Krstic Hook Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: West (3 AST)	11:38 [BOS 61-74]
	11:19 [MIA 77-61]	Jones 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: James (7 AST)
Davis Jump Shot: Missed	10:55
Davis Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)	10:54
	10:54	Jones Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Davis Jump Shot: Missed	10:36
	10:35	James Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	10:25 [MIA 79-61]	James Dunk Shot: Made (19 PTS) Assist: Chalmers (1 AST)
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	09:59
	09:43 [MIA 81-61]	James Jump Shot: Made (21 PTS)
Davis Driving Jump shot: Missed	09:20
	09:19	Jones Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Davis Foul : Shooting (4 PF)	08:56
	08:56
	08:56	James Substitution replaced by Wade
	08:56
	08:56 [MIA 82-61]	Jones Free Throw 1 of 3 (4 PTS)
Davis Substitution replaced by Pierce	08:56
Krstic Substitution replaced by Garnett	08:56
West Substitution replaced by Rondo	08:56
	08:56 [MIA 83-61]	Jones Free Throw 2 of 3 (5 PTS)
	08:56	Jones Free Throw 3 of 3 Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	08:56
Allen Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS)	08:29 [BOS 63-83]
	08:10	Chalmers 3pt Shot: Missed
	08:09	Team Rebound
	08:07 [MIA 85-63]	Wade Dunk Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Chalmers (2 AST)
Allen Jump Shot: Missed	07:44
	07:43	Jones Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	07:26	Chalmers Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Rondo (2 ST)
Rondo Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO)	07:22
	07:04	Chalmers 3pt Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)	07:03
Allen 3pt Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Rondo (3 AST)	06:57 [BOS 66-85]
	06:57	Chalmers Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Allen Free Throw 1 of 1 (13 PTS)	06:57 [BOS 67-85]
	06:57	Team Timeout : Regular
	06:57	Chalmers Substitution replaced by Bibby
	06:37	Wade 3pt Shot: Missed
	06:36	Bosh Rebound (Off:4 Def:3)
	06:28	Bibby Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO)
Garnett Jump Shot: Missed	06:20
Rondo Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	06:19
Pierce 3pt Shot: Made (19 PTS) Assist: Rondo (4 AST)	06:10 [BOS 70-85]
	05:49	Wade Fade Away Jumper Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)	05:48
Garnett Jump Shot: Made (21 PTS) Assist: Rondo (5 AST)	05:36 [BOS 72-85]
	05:27	Team Timeout : Short
	05:27	Jones Substitution replaced by James
	05:11	Bibby 3pt Shot: Missed
Allen Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	05:09
Pierce Driving Layup Shot: Made (21 PTS)	05:07 [BOS 74-85]
	05:07	Bosh Foul : Shooting (4 PF)
Pierce Free Throw 1 of 1 (22 PTS)	05:07 [BOS 75-85]
	04:49 [MIA 88-75]	Bibby 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Wade (5 AST)
Allen 3pt Shot: Missed	04:33
	04:32	Anthony Rebound (Off:4 Def:5)
Rondo Foul : Personal (1 PF)	04:25
	04:15	James Jump Shot: Missed
	04:14	Bosh Rebound (Off:5 Def:3)
	04:13 [MIA 90-75]	Bosh Layup Shot: Made (13 PTS)
	03:52	Anthony Violation:Defensive Goaltending
Pierce Driving Layup Shot: Made (24 PTS)	03:52 [BOS 77-90]
	03:35	James Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO) Steal:Garnett (2 ST)
Rondo Layup Shot: Missed	03:30
	03:29	James Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	03:24 [MIA 92-77]	James Layup Shot: Made (23 PTS) Assist: Wade (6 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	03:23
Pierce Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO) Steal:Bosh (1 ST)	03:08
	02:50 [MIA 94-77]	James Jump Shot: Made (25 PTS) Assist: Wade (7 AST)
Garnett Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)	02:38
Pierce Substitution replaced by West	02:38
	02:30 [MIA 96-77]	James Fade Away Jumper Shot: Made (27 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:30
Garnett Substitution replaced by Krstic	02:30
Allen Substitution replaced by Pavlovic	02:30
Rondo Substitution replaced by Murphy	02:30
Green Substitution replaced by Arroyo	02:30
	02:30	James Substitution replaced by Howard
	02:30	Bosh Substitution replaced by Jones
Pavlovic Floating Jump shot: Missed	02:09
	02:08	Anthony Rebound (Off:4 Def:6)
	01:51 [MIA 98-77]	Howard Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Wade (8 AST)
	01:46	Wade Foul : Personal (3 PF)
	01:46	Anthony Substitution replaced by Magloire
	01:46	Wade Substitution replaced by Chalmers
Arroyo Jump Shot: Missed	01:36
	01:35	Magloire Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	01:13	Bibby 3pt Shot: Missed
Pavlovic Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	01:12
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	00:47.5
	00:23.7 [MIA 100-77]	Magloire Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Bibby (5 AST)
End of 4th Quarter

broadcast information
country		channel			time
usa			ABC	National	3:30 pm ET
		--	ESPNR	Local	3:30 pm ET
		--	WAXY	Local	3:30 pm ET
		--	WEEI	Local	3:30 pm ET
canada		--	CHCH TV	national	3:30 pm ET