In a game in which Paul Pierce battled a sprained left foot, Rajon Rondo struggled through back spasms, and Ray Allen suffered a bruised chest, the beat-up Celtics were unable overcome health issues and fell to the Heat 102-91.
LeBron James scored 35 points on 14-25 shooting. He grabbed seven boards and did not commit a single turnover. Dwyane Wade added 28 points and eight rebounds, and Chris Bosh chipped in with 17 points and 11 boards of his own.
For Boston, Rondo scored a team-high 20 points and recorded 12 assists and six rebounds.Kevin Garnett scored 16, 10 coming in the 3rd quarter and Paul Pierce tallied 13 in limited action.
The Celtics bench kept the team in the game after Pierce headed to the locker room early on. Unfortunately the starters connected on only two field goals in the 2nd quarter, one of which coming on a Rondo jumper with 10 seconds left in the half.
Trailing by five at the half, Boston battled back in the third frame. However, courtesy of 12 James points late in the quarter and Miami closing on an 11-5 run, the Celts entered the 4th quarter down 67-72.
The C’s tied the game at 80-80 when Pierce canned a couple free throws, but immediately after the Heat scored 14 consecutive points to put the game away.
The Heat now hold a 2-0 lead as the series moves to Boston. Game 3 is scheduled for 8 p.m.
Hope for the best, fear for the worst with these guys. It seems like we’ve got another excuse though, injuries and officiating! There’s always something with this squad, tough to see them dying away like this.