* Heat luke-warm but still record comfortable win
* Celtics need to work on defence
(Adds detail, quotes)
By Simon Evans
MIAMI, May 28 (Reuters) – Led by LeBron James’ 32 points,
the Miami Heat enjoyed a convincing 93-79 win over the Boston
Celtics on Monday to grab a 1-0 lead in their Eastern Conference
championship series.
Apart from a second quarter where Boston came alive with 35
points and Miami lost their intensity, the Heat and James had
too much for the 17-times NBA champions.
It says much about James’ current form that it did not feel
like an outstanding display yet he produced 32 points on 13 for
22 shooting from the field for his sixth 30-point game in this
season’s playoffs.
It was by no means a classic, with the game lacking the
intensity of the conference semi-finals both teams had to battle
through, but Miami will take confidence from winning by 14
points while never really hitting their stride.
“We feel like we didn’t play our best basketball,” said
James who also ended with 13 rebounds. “We had some great looks
offensively but we had a lot of breakdowns defensively, so we
didn’t play our best.
“It’s a good sign, a good thing for us but we will prepare
and we will be better on Wednesday.”
Boston, who did not secure their place in the conference
final until Saturday’s win over Philadelphia, lacked sharpness
on offense and struggled at times with Miami’s pace.
“They crushed us in the 50-50 game, anything loose or
rolling, they got there,” said Celtics coach Doc Rivers.
“Offensively we have to be more efficient. I didn’t think we
did great defensively but we still kept them to 93 points.”
Boston also picked up five technical fouls, including one
for Rivers for disputing a call which he described as “the worst
I’ve ever had”.
James outscored the Celtics by himself in the first quarter,
making 13 points as Miami, seeking their second successive NBA
finals appearance, established a 21-11 lead – the fewest points
they had allowed in this season’s playoffs.
But Boston dominated the second, drawing level by halftime
helped by two three-point throws from Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo
finally getting into the paint and Ray Allen doing a good job
keeping Miami’s Dwyane Wade quiet.
Miami came out with determination after the break though,
outscoring Boston 26-15 in the third quarter with James making
10 of those points to see the Heat to a 72-61 lead.
The Heat, solid in defense, were never in danger in the
fourth quarter and were able to rest James and Dwyane Wade (22
points) in the latter stages.
“At times it was a strange game with some good runs from
both teams,” said Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra.
“We felt we could play better, I am sure they felt the same,
but we found a way to grind it out, you have to against this
team.”
Game Two is in Miami on Wednesday.
(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
