Jeff Green was freakin’ magnificent tonight, but his 43 points were not good enough to beat the Heat. Kevin Garnett missed the game because of the flu.
Fueled by a raucous home crowd, the Celtics came out fast and furious and led by 17 in the 2nd quarter. Kevin Garnett didn’t play. It was a rollercoaster of a game from that point on. Kevin Garnett didn’t play. The Heat would whittle down the lead, and the Celtics would stretch it out. Kevin Garnett didn’t play. In the end, LeBron James (37 points, 12 assists) made some huge plays and no one on the Celtics could counter. Kevin Garnett didn’t play. With the Celtics leading 99-92, the Heat closed the game on a 13-4 run. Kevin Garnett didn’t play. So Miami extends their winning streak to 23 games by squeaking out a 105-103 win in Boston. Big deal, Kevin Garnett didn’t play.
The (Jeff) Green: Number 8 was brilliant. 43 points on 12-21 FG, 5-7 3 FG. The man got to the rim at will. He chipped in 7 rebounds and 4 blocks.
Paul Pierce had a solid all-around game; 17 points, 6-11 FG, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. But he managed just two points in the 4th quarter. The 7 TOs didn’t help.
The Gross: The Celtics had 20 turnovers. You just can’t beat a team like Miami with that many giveaways.
The officiating was mediocre. While the free throw advantage went to Boston (24-21), the Celtics were whistled for 8 more fouls. The referees put the clamps on this game midway through the 2nd quarter and the slower pace clearly benefited Miami.
Greenlights: Jeff Green highlight reel
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AunRcTHLnwE]Avery Bradley chase down block and Paul Pierce three:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWaZ2lmhnvo]The Grid:
- Ray Allen had 6 points on 2-6 FG
- Fast break points: Bos 22 Mia 6
- The Celtics shot 62% from FT (15-24)
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