Prior to tonight's opening night matchup against the Miami Heat, Doc Rivers was asked what the game meant for his team. His response: "The winner will be crowned the Eastern Conference Champion for one game, and then we'll play Cleveland tomorrow". Well Doc, congratulations. The Celtics are currently the Eastern Conference champions following a 88-80 win over the already crowned champions, the Miami Heat.
After jumping out to a double digit lead early in the game, the Celtics increased the lead up to 19 point at one point during the second quarter. With Dwyane Wade struggling, LeBron showed signs of wearing a Cleveland Cavaliers jersey when he went 1-on-5 against the Celtics and brought the game within three points at one point.
The Celtics once again went on a crowd pleasing run to increase the lead to ten before Miami once again climbed within three with 1:19 left in the fourth. Ray Allen responded on the next possesion to the delight of his mother by knocking down his fifth three point basket of the night.
Paul Pierce and Ray Allen paced the Celtics tonight with 19 and 20 points, respectively. Pierce left the game in the third quarter following a controversial blocking call that involved LeBron James. Upon return to the game Pierce knocked down two straight three point shots and three made foul shots on a fouled three point attempt.
Glen Davis also proved that he could be in the running for the NBA's Sixth Man award by dropping in 11 points, most of them coming in clutch moments of the fourth quarter. As you would expect, LeBron led the Heat with 31 points on the night.
Other notes:
- An overrated chant by the Garden crowd started at the end of the game. - The Celtics held the Heat to only 32 points in the first half, the least amount scored by the Heat in a half since the 08'-09' season. - Gang Green heads to Cleveland following tonight's game for a matchup with the Cavs tomorrow night.
- Anybody who say's Rondo isn't this team's MVP is crazy. Rondo dished out 19 assists in tonight's game.
Written by:
