• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Celtics aim to rebound in Game 2 against Heat

May 3, 2011 - 2:34 PM (Sports Network) - The Miami Heat will attempt to hold serve on the shores of Biscayne Bay tonight when they entertain the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinals set.

Dwyane Wade was spectacular on Sunday, scoring 38 points to lead Miami to a 99-90 win over the Celtics in Game 1 of their anticipated second-round playoff series.

"We got the win," said Miami coach Erik Spoelstra, "and now we have to try to get amnesia and try to figure out how we can play better."

"I thought they were prepared, they were ready, they played with unbelievable intensity," Celtics mentor Doc Rivers added.

The must-see game grew chippy down the stretch, and Celtics forward Paul Pierce was ejected after getting two technical fouls in a 59-second span in the fourth quarter.

"We reacted," Rivers said. "That's exactly what they wanted us to do. We have to be better than that."

Pierce's ejection, with seven minutes remaining, overshadowed the fact that Boston fell behind early and never caught up despite making several runs at Miami's big lead.

With LeBron James and Chris Bosh struggling to find the hoop, the Heat were bolstered by James Jones' 25 points off the bench, a career playoff-high for the reserve forward.

James added 22 points in nearly 30 minutes, while Bosh went just 3-of-10 for seven points, but grabbed 12 rebounds.

Both teams shot below 48 percent, but Wade kept Miami afloat by hitting 14 of his 21 shots, including a 4-for-7 performance for 13 points in the fourth quarter.

Wade even threw himself several rows deep into the seats chasing a loose ball in the fourth quarter despite Miami's double-digit lead.

"Both teams were contesting everything," said Spoelstra. "Dwyane set the tone with his energy."

While Wade channeled his emotions, Pierce couldn't control his, garnering an automatic ejection when Boston needed him the most.

With the Celtics down by 12, Pierce pumped-faked Jones into the air, then took exception when Jones came down hard on his back. He jawed at the Heat forward and the two brushed faces -- a possible head butt by Pierce.

Both players received technical fouls with 7:59 remaining in the game.

Just 59 seconds later, Wade was trying to run through a pick at the Miami end when he threw a shoulder into Pierce's chest in front of the Heat bench.

Pierce, who appeared to say something, was whistled for another technical. Wade also received a technical of his own, but the players were separated almost immediately.

"Both teams want to win that bad," said James said of the game's physicality. "We just have to keep making the right plays to win."

Rivers complained that Jones and Wade had committed "clear" flagrant fouls and took particular exception with the collision involving Wade.

"An absolute flagrant," said the Boston coach, who walked across mid-court to argue with officials after the play. "He was just trying to run through Paul."

"He's the coach of the other team," said Wade. "I took the foul and was ready to move on from it."

Pierce scored 19 points before leaving, including seven in the fourth quarter. Ray Allen led Boston with 25 points, but was frustrated by the way the Celtics started the game.

Miami carried a 20-14 lead into the second quarter, then ended the half on a 13-6 run to carry a 51-36 advantage into the locker room before expanding that to a 19-point advantage in the third.

"The one thing we talked about was not letting them get in transition. I think the simple fact that we didn't have patience gave them everything they wanted," said Allen. "You give a team like that with great athletes confidence early, you're in for a long night."

On Monday Pierce acknowledged that his actions in Game 1 were "selfish" and that he needs to do a better job keeping his composure but still thought he was wronged.

"I thought I was fouled excessively on both plays," the veteran forward said.

Both teams could be bolstered in Game 2. Boston center Shaquille O'Neal, who missed all but five minutes of the last 34 regular season games and the first round of the playoffs with Achilles and calf injuries, is close to a return. A decision on his Game 2 status will likely be made at Tuesday morning's pregame shootaround. Meanwhile, Miami forward Udonis Haslem was able to work some Monday, and could be active or the first time since rupturing a foot ligament on Nov. 20.

The Celtics have dominated Miami in recent years, winning eight straight and 14 of 15 in the regular season before the Heat routed the Celtics in South Beach, 100-77, on April 10.

Boston and Miami have met just one other time in the postseason, last season's 4-1 Celtics win in the East quarterfinals.

Game 3 of the set shifts to Beantown on Saturday.