+1
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade did their usual thing, but rookie Norris Cole was the story of the game late with 20 points off the bench, helping Miami to a 115-107 win. The Heat are now 2-0 on the young season, while the Celtics are still looking for their first win.
The Miami Heat couldn't have gotten off to a better start to their 2011-12 season than they did on Christmas Day. Their dominating win over the defending NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks could easily be seen as a loud proclamation that they intend to improve on last year. They'll get another chance to make a statement when they face the Boston Celtics, the team they beat the in Eastern Conference semifinals last year.
Their task appears to have gotten a little bit easier, too, as the Celtics appear likely to be without Paul Pierce. The forward missed the Celtics' opening day loss to the New York Knicks and coach Doc Rivers said he didn't expect Pierce to play against the Heat, either, according to ESPN.
"He worked out (Monday), went pretty well," Rivers said. "He didn't get as sore, so that's a good sign. He's not going to play tonight -- I doubt it, at least."
Judging by the way the Heat opened the season, they are in no need of such breaks. They jumped out to a 15-point first-quarter lead and led the Mavericks by 35 before settling for a 105-94 victory. LeBron James had 37 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in the game, while Dwayne Wade chipped in with 26 points, eight rebounds and six assists despite neither playing much in the fourth quarter.
For more the latest news, updates and analysis, check out SB Nation's NBA coverage. For more of a local angle, check out Heat blog Peninsula Is Mightier and Celtics Blog.
Heat Vs. Celtics: Rookie Norris Cole Helps Miami Past Boston, 115-107
LeBron James scored 26 and Dwyane Wade scored 24, but it was unheralded rookie out of Cleveland State who took control of the game late for the Miami Heat on Tuesday against the Boston Celtics. Norris Cole, the 28th overall pick of the 2011 draft, scored 14 of his 20 points in the final quarter, helping the Heat beat the Celtics, 115-107.
The Celtics, still without the injured Paul Pierce, were led by 28 points from Ray Allen, who shot 6-8 from three-point range. Rajon Rondo added 22 points and 12 assists. Keyon Dooling added 18 points in nearly 24 minutes off the bench.
Boston trailed by as many as 20 points before rallying in the second half. Trailing 108-98 with three minutes left, Dooling scored seven straight points for the Celtics -- but Cole calmly responded with a jumper to end Boston's run. The Celtics again cut the lead to three in the final minutes, but again, Cole came through with a jumper. The rookie finished the game shooting 8-16, including 4-6 from the line.
Cole finished the game with 29 minutes -- 10 minutes more than starter Mario Chalmers. After the game, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra explained that he was merely riding the hot hand.
"It wasn't any kind of indictment on [Chalmers]," Spoelstra said, according to the Miami Herald. "He came back after struggling at the beginning of the third quarter and he did settle down and make some plays. That was good, to see him show some resolve and some toughness. That's what we've done a lot of times. If a lineup is going, if a player is playing well, I won't necessarily change for the sake of changing.''
Wade added eight assists and four blocked shots, while James dished five assists with six boards. Chris Bosh notched a double-double with 18 points and 11 boards.
Pierce has yet to play this season due to a lingering heel injury. Doc Rivers said before Tuesday's game that Pierce will likely miss Wednesday's game in New Orleans against Hornets before possibly returning for Friday's home game against the Detroit Pistons. The Heat also play on Wednesday, traveling to Charlotte to face the Bobcats.
For more on this game, check out CelticsBlog and Peninsula Is Mightier, and SB Nation's game page.
Dec 27 11:29p by Matt Watson - 0 comments