Miami Heat rout the Boston Celtics 100-77; Not just another win
When the Miami Heat landed LeBron James and Chris Bosh in pre-season, the intense media storm surrounding them seemed appropriate. With Dwayne Wade already on their
books, Miami had assembled the biggest star trio in history of the league. Surely they would go onto dominate the league now for years to come. James himself was very upbeat about the move and famously declared that he wants to win 5 NBA World Championships
in Miami. Expectations could not have been higher.
Things did not go according to plan however. Miami have not been the powerhouse that they were meant to be this season. Teams have frustrated them all season and
their Big Three have often been unable to handle the pressure. They have endured a lot of trash talk from a lot of people, and did not seem to have an answer for them. However all of this became in-valid last night, when they romped to a 100-77 win over the
reigning eastern Conference champions, the Boston Celtics.
The Heat had struggled against their main rivals, Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics all season long. They had lost all four to the Chicago Bulls and three against
the Boston Celtics. On Tuesday, a night before the regular season ends, they finally delivered. This was not just a win for Miami; it was a statement, and a demon they had to slay. The importance of this win, and the manner of it, cannot be overstated.
The Heat didn’t just beat the Celtics on the night; it was a mauling, one that will leave a mark on Boston for some time to come and a bigger one on Miami. For Miami
this was a sort of vindication and a step into a whole new era, where they do not have to fear the big boys of NBA. The timing was immaculate as well. As the season is ending and the playoffs are about to begin, the Heat couldn’t have asked for a bigger morale
boost.
They fact that the Heat were down by 9 points early on, makes the 23 point victory all the more impressive. The determination on the faces of the Miami players was
there for all to see, they were first to every loose ball, went in hard and they did not back down against one of the most physical sides in the NBA. There hustle and fight gave them the win and that’s exactly what the Heat needed, to win a fight against
the Celtics.
Out-rebounding the Celtics 42-26, the Heat also won the points in paint battle with 44 against Boston’s 26. The positives for the heat don’t end there.
There big three have carried the team all season, with James, Wade and Bosh contributing a combined 71 points per game for the season. The supporting cast has let
them down, time and again and that has been the main weakness of this side. They finally woke up on Sunday. The bench rose up and eased the scoring burden on the big three, who had an easy night scoring a combined 54. Joel Anthony, not the most recognizable
face on the Heat roster, was arguably their biggest player on the night.
Kevin Garnett said after the game “Anthony killed us today by himself” referring to his mammoth performance on the defensive end while he also contributed on the
scorecard. Mike Bibby and Chalmers did a terrific job of shutting down Rajon Rondo, who is one of the best point guards in the league and the playmaker-in-chief for the Celtics.
This performance could have a major impact on the NBA playoffs. Not only has it given the heat confidence against bigger opponents, it has jelled them into a team.
They have slowly developed into a unit that is good at offense and fights on defense. And with Dwayne Wade and LeBron James in that side, they really can beat anyone. The Eastern Conference playoffs are going to be quite a battle now, with the Heat finally
showing that they have big game pedigree, the rest of the Eastern Conference, indeed the whole league, should watch out.
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