The Miami Heat thoroughly dominated the Boston Celtics in South Beach, closing Game 1 on a magnificent run and bludgeoning the defending Eastern champs all over the floor in Game 2. Did the Heat just do what they were supposed to do in holding home court, or was the success a foreboding warning to Boston? We'll find out in Game 3 at the TD Garden, scheduled for 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Heat Vs. Celtics, Game 3: LeBron James, Miami Look To Match Home Success In Boston
Dwyane Wade was electric in Miami after struggling against Boston during the regular season; Wade's 38 in Game 1 set the tone for the series, and LeBron James followed it up by breaking out in Game 2 (35 points on 14-25 shooting). Rajon Rondo was seen as a key to the Celtics' success, given Miami's deficiencies at the point guard position. Rondo struggled, though, in Game 1 before having a solid Game 2. The Celtics need him to continue to push the advantage on Mike Bibby and Mario Chalmers.
Paul Pierce has struggled against LeBron of late, and this series has continued the trouble; Pierce is averaging 16 points a game, but on abnormally low 44 percent shooting. Kevin Garnett (11-29 for the series) has also been off, and Glen Davis has been atrocious (4-12 shooting, six rebounds in 48 minutes). All that bad would make you think Boston's due for some regression to the mean, but at the same time, the Celtics have shot about average from long-range (36.5 percent) and aren't committing a devastating number of turnovers (which tends to be a problem for the team).
Are the Heat just better, or will the move to Boston give this series some correction? Tune in to find out.
Be sure to check out our Heat vs. Celtics hub for full series coverage. For more on the Celtics, visit CelticsBlog and SB Nation Boston. For more on the Heat, visit Peninsula Is Mightier.
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