Celts Suffer Heartbreaking Game 2 Loss In Miami

Celts Suffer Heartbreaking Game 2 Loss In Miami

Once again, the effort was there for the Celtics. But, once again, the Miami Heat’s young legs and some absolutely horrendous officiating proved to be too much for Boston.

The Celtics came out strong in game 2 leading by as many as 15 points in the first half thanks to the extraordinary efforts of Rajon Rondo (44 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds). Boston led by 7 at the half 53-46.

But, as they did in the third quarter of game 1, Miami came out of the locker room after halftime and took control of the game in the third quarter. Dwayne Wade led the Heat with 13 points in the third. Miami outscored Boston 35-22 in the quarter to take an 81-75 lead.

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Boston continued to battle regaining the lead 88-85 thanks to 13-4 run in the first 5 minutes of the quarter. But the Heat responded once again.  Down 94-89, Miami went on a 9-0 run to take a 98-94 lead with 1:23 to play.  But an alley-oop pass from Rondo to Garnett for a dunk and a big Ray Allen three sandwiched around a Dwayne Wade free throw led to a 99-99 game in the final seconds.  LeBron James had two good chances to win it in regulation but failed both times.

In overtime, James missed 2 free throw attempts to start things off.  A Rondo drive to the basket followed putting Boston up 101-99.  Dwayne Wade tied the game on a drive and dunk.  He missed his free throw attempt and the game was even at 101-101.  Rondo then nailed a fade away three which was later ruled a two as his foot was on the line putting Boston up 103-101.  Udonis haslem tied it with a baseline jumper.

Rondo then drew a foul driving to the basket where he nailed both to put the Celts up 105-103.

Seconds later, Rondo tied up James on the offensive end forcing a jump ball which James won.  His tip-in of a Haslem miss tied things up at 105.

Rondo then missed on a drive to the basket because he was hit in the face by Dwayne Wade.  As usual, the officials screwed Boston with a no-call.  It led to a fast-break lay-up for Haslem and the Heat putting Miami up 107-105.

A Boston turnover was followed by a Dwayne Wade hoop & harm.  This time ade made the free throw puttng Miami up by 5, 110-105.  Ironically, Wade kicked his right leg into Kevin Garnett to create space BEFORE Garnett hit his elbow.  What should have been ruled an offensive foul on Wade was instead a  foul on Garnett.  No surprise. 

The Heat would go on to win it 115-111.

There's only so much the Celtics can do.  They played well enough to beat the Miami Heat Wednesday night.  But they did not play well enough to beat the officials who seem very intent on handing this series to Miami.

The Heat now leads the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals Series 2-0.

NOTES:

-The series now shifts to Boston for games 3 & 4. Game 3 will be played Friday night at the TD Garden. Game 4 will be played Sunday night. Both game begin at 8:30pm.

-The Celtics certainly hope that the officiating goes more in their favor at home than it did in Miami in games 1 & 2. Up to now, the refs have been BRUTAL to Boston!  The C's received 5 technical fouls in game 1 and was the subject of more questionable calls in game 2. The biggest call may have been the no-call on Wade who hit Rondo in the face as he went to the basket with lesst than 2 minutes to play in overtime.  Another such call was when Rajon Rondo and LeBron James were both making an effort for a loose ball in the second quarter. The refs called Rondo for the foul sending James to the line.

Kevin Garnett also received a technical foul early in the 4th when he was fouled hard by James Jones. Jones hit Garnett in the face and Garnett reacted by swinging his elbow.

Then, later in the 4th, Ray Allen dribbled by LeBron James who grabbed him from behind but no call was made. It appears that the refs are more than willing to call the Celtics for anything questionable but let the Heat get away with whatever they want.

Maybe that will change come Friday night. Maybe it won’t. Maybe the NBA wants LeBron to win his first ring no matter what the price.

-Paul Pierce (21 points, 6 rebounds) was much more effective in game 2 than he was in the series-opener.  However, Pierce fouled out of the game with about a minute to go in regulation.

-James led Miami with 34 points. Mario Chalmers scored 22. Dwayne Wade scored 23.