Miami Uses Late Run to Burn Celtics

Mario Chalmers scored only three points against Boston Tuesday night, but they may have been the most important three points of the game. Boston had started the fourth on a 13-6 run to tie the game and looked to swing the momentum their way until Chalmers connected from deep to stop the run.

Wade rises for a jumper of Paul Pierce. Wade scored 28 in Miami's win Tuesday night.
(Photo Credit : Issac Baldizon)

Miami never looked back. Chalmers ignited a 14-0 run which put the competitive contest into the win column for the home town Heat. Jermaine O'Neal came close to stopping the run but his slam dunk attempt was partially blocked by Joel Anthony leading to a long jumper from LeBron James. Boston quickly called a timeout but the damage had already been done. The Celtics got no closer than 8 and now must return home to TD Ameritrade Garden with a 2-0 deficit, the first the squad has faced since Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett joined Paul Pierce. In the storied history of Boston basketball, this marks only the ninth time the Celtics have fallen behind 2-0. The only time Boston has come back to win was in 1969 when Bill Russel lead them to the title against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Both teams feature a trio of all stars but the production discrepancy has been staggering. In two games, Miami Thrice has outscored the Boston Three Party 80-36 and are shooting 49.1 from the field compared to 39.5 for the visitors. For Boston to contend in this series they are going to have to get more production from their big 3. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen combined for only 20 points before each of them left with injuries; a strained left Achilles and a bruised chest cavity, respectively.

Miami seems to be peaking at just the right time and are looking to be the aggressors in the series while Boston has never quite been the same team since Kendrick Perkins was traded to Oklahoma City. Perkins provided a staunch inside presence that seems to be missing as the Heat continue to attack the basket and get to the free throw line.

Still, Allen isn't worried, "Being down 2-0 doesn't scare any of us, doesn't make us nervous," Allen said. "It's just an opportunity to come out shining." Frankly, he's right. There isn't a more seasoned and battle tested team in the Eastern conference and playing at home they have the opportunity to claw their way back into the series. Still, it will be an arduous task for Boston, needing to win 4 out of their next 5 to advance. They accomplished that same task twice last year, but neither of those teams were this year's Miami Heat.

Allen's sense of urgency isn't lost on coach Doc Rivers who stated "We've got a third game and we've got to take care of that. Whatever the past is, it is. They've won two games at home. But we can't allow them to play like this, or it's going to be tough at our place." The Celtics are in a must win situation Saturday night whether they want to view it as such or not. The Celtics were 33-8 at home this last season and the friendly confines yield them 3 in a row. Boston should be rocking as they welcome their team and try to shift the momentum back their way.