Miami Heat Blog – Page 99 – NBA Blog

LeBron dominates, Heat beat Celtics in Game 6

LeBron James has walked off the court here too many times with nowhere to go except summer vacation.

The destination this time: Game 7 in Miami, with a spot in the NBA finals on the line.

James had 45 points and 15 rebounds, overwhelming the Boston Celtics and leading the Heat to a 98-79 victory Thursday night that forced a decisive game in the Eastern Conference finals.

After two days of questions about the Heat’s future and his own history, James provided his response in resounding fashion in a building where Miami had lost 15 of its previous 16 games, and where his season had twice come to an end…

James shot 19 of 26 from the field and finished four points shy of his playoff career-high while playing 45 minutes, not sitting down until the victory was long secured…

Dwyane Wade added 17 points for the Heat, who need a victory at home Saturday night to return to the NBA finals. And if James plays like this again, Miami should have no problem getting it…

Rajon Rondo had 21 points and 10 assists for Boston. Kevin Garnett and Brandon Bass each scored 12 points, but Paul Pierce had only nine on 4-of-18 shooting…

James’ first basket of the third quarter increased the lead to 17 points, and from there it was just a matter of coming up with another score any time the Celtics tried to make a run.

Boston never came close, and when a 3-pointer by Shane Battier made it 81-63 with 10:19 to play, Rivers spent part of a timeout standing alone on the court with his arms folded, leaving it to the players to try to come up with an answer that wasn’t there.

— Reported by Brian Mahoney of the Associated Press

Led by James’ brilliance, the Heat shot 48.7 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from three-point range. The Heat led by double figures throughout the second half, and its largest lead was 25 points.

“[James] was absolutely fearless [Thursday night], and it was contagious,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “No one likes getting dirt thrown on your face before you’re even dead.”

The Heat outrebounded the Celtics 44-34, with Udonis Haslem (nine) and Wade (eight) pulling down more boards than Boston’s rebounding leader — Brandon Bass, who had seven. Boston was 1 of 14 from three-point range, and Paul Pierce had just nine points on 4-of-18 shooting. Rajon Rondo led Boston with 21 points and 10 assists but committed seven turnovers.

Once again, Wade wasn’t himself to begin the game, but once again he played well in the fourth quarter. He started the game with four points in the first half and was 1 of 6 from the field in the first quarter. But, while he might be playing with an injured knee, he still had enough left in reserve to give the Heat a boost in crunch time.

— Reported by Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald

The Heat’s heart and LeBron James’ ability to take control were loudly called into question after Game 5. But after so many dismal results in this city, the Heat star had to love the sight of Garden fans heading for the exits with seven minutes still left.

Miami finally found a way to puncture the local balloon with last night’s 98-79 win over the Celtics, tying the series at 3-3 and sending the Eastern Conference finals back to Miami for tomorrow night’s very precarious Game 7.

Just when most had written off this team as an underachieving casualty, James uncorked one of the greatest playoff performances by an opponent in Garden history.

James had metronomic precision in a 45-point, 19-for-26, 15-rebound performance that included a 30-point first half and an 11-point third quarter.

His teammates, especially Dwyane Wade, took it from there with a 15-3 run over the first five minutes of the fourth quarter that quickly pushed the Miami lead north of 25 points.

— Reported by Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald

Rajon Rondo sparked the Celtics with 21 points and 10 assists but also had 7 turnovers. No other Celtic starter was able to get into the offensive flow. Brandon Bass and Kevin Garnett totaled 12 points, Ray Allen had 10 points, and Paul Pierce went 4 for 18 from the floor and totaled 9 points.

The Celtics were 1 for 14 on 3-pointers, the one make the result of impressive ball movement as Keyon Dooling found a wide-open Allen. That cut the deficit to 30-23 with 9:41 left in the opening half.

But Miami took a timeout and upped the lead to 13 a little more than a minute later.

The Celtics’ small lineup rallied within 69-59 late in the third quarter, then Garnett reentered for the final two minutes of the quarter. But Garnett did not make an impact on this contest, the Heat soon increasing its advantage to 25 points in the final quarter.

— Reported by Frank Dell’Apa of the Boston Globe

Joel Anthony sits Game 5, Ronny Turiaf ailing

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra explained the reasoning for centers Joel Anthony and Ronny Turiaf not playing in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics.

Spoelstra said Anthony sat for “situational” reasons while Turiaf is nursing a strained right groin. Turiaf’s status is day-to-day.

Anthony may not play again in Thursday’s must-win Game 6 in Boston, with Chris Bosh back in the lineup.

If Bosh does start at center in Game 6, it would make him the Heat’s fourth different starting center in as many games.

— Reported by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Celtics beat Heat in Miami, take 3-2 series lead

A week ago, the Boston Celtics were too old.

Three games later, they’re one win away from the NBA finals.

And Miami – the team that was constructed with hopes of supplanting Boston as the power in the Eastern Conference – is suddenly in big trouble.

Kevin Garnett finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds, Paul Pierce scored 19 – including a huge 3-pointer over LeBron James’ outstretched arm with 52.9 seconds left – and the Celtics beat the Heat 94-90 on Tuesday night, taking a 3-2 lead in the East finals that now shift to Boston for Game 6 on Thursday night.

”We’ve done nothing,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. ”We’re playing a heck of a basketball team. So just because we’re going to Boston, I told them, we have to play. They’re not going to give it to us. We have to go get it.”

James finished with 30 points and 13 rebounds for Miami, though he went 8 minutes without scoring in the final quarter. Dwyane Wade scored 27 for the Heat, who got no more than nine from anyone else.

”We wouldn’t want to be in this situation but we never get too high or too low in a series,” James said. ”We had an opportunity to come home and take a lead, but we didn’t. So we have to go up to Boston and win a game.”

— Reported by Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press

But these Celtics at this moment have been valiant and worthy Heat adversaries.

They didn’t play particularly well in Game 5, but nevertheless won. Boston didn’t get a lead until the final minute of the third quarter, which ended with the Celtics holding a 65-60 lead on the strength of a 15-1 closing run. That advantage evaporated quickly enough, but Boston carved its way back.

“We just hung around enough to get to the fourth quarter,” said Rivers.

Boston’s poor shooting – Pierce, Allen and Rondo were a combined 11-of-43 – didn’t matter in the end, mostly because Garnett was so good.

“He’s our life,” Rivers said. “We’re a close-knit team. We have a lot of positive talk in our locker room.”

— Reported by Greg Stoda of the Palm Beach Post

Paul Pierce hit arguably the biggest shot of the game Tuesday night, a 3-pointer over LeBron James that gave the Celtics a 90-86 lead with 53 seconds left in the fourth quarter of Game 5. But Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he wasn’t totally thrilled with the shot selection.

“I kind of wanted him to drive, honestly,” said Rivers. “I’ve been around Paul long enough. Right when he gets into the footwork, you knew he was going to shoot it. At least I did, because I’ve seen him enough.

“I didn’t know if I wanted that shot. Honestly, I thought he was going to drive it, but he made it. That’s what players like Paul do. It really is. He’s a big shot-maker. He always has been.”

— Reported by Gary Dzen of Boston.com

DJ Rony Seikaly goes on music tour

On June 5, legendary NYC house music label Nervous Records teams up with emerging music sensation Rony Seikaly for the release of an exciting new compilation – Nervous Nitelife Presents Rony Seikaly.

Seikaly first rose to prominence in the NBA but when he wasn’t on the court he was in the record shops, reading the top dance magazines and driving around with the best dance mixes blasting from his car stereo. Seikaly turned his hobby into a second career in which he’s quickly risen to the top of the pack, playing at international club destinations like Club Liv in Miami and Pacha in Ibiza.

In addition to extensive DJ touring, Rony is also an accomplished producer whose Summer 2010 track “The World Is Beautiful” was frequently played on Pete Tong’s Radio 1 Show and charted by top DJ’s worldwide.

It’s interesting to note, that while DJs are often known for playing other artists tracks, Rony chooses to present his sets with approximately 70% of his own original productions and remixes. This leads to a club experience that’s completely unique, spontaneous and harkens back to the days of old when clubbers entrusted their evening into the DJs hands. Nervous Nitelife Presents Rony Seikaly is very much the CD version of what you’d experience at the club with Rony Seikaly behind the decks. It’s largely built on his own original productions and remixes with a few of his favorite bits from other producers sprinkled in.

The mix tips off with the Rony Seikaly and Jean Claudes Ades remix of Seikaly’s own “Mood That I Love;” A vocal house track that’s the perfect vibe for that time when the sun drops jut below the horizon and you know the party’s about to kick into high gear. It’s seamlessly mixed into the warm and bubby Fabo feat. Angela Sheik “Can’t Decide” and Seikaly’s driving the “Playa” before Lazaro Cazanova enters with his airy “Miami Vice feat. Amy Douglas (Julien Sandre Remix).” Next, a trifecta of Seikaly’s own original tracks hit consecutively and as the names imply (“Bring It On,” Build Up The Volume” and You Can Feel It”) it’s all about building the intensity.

The second half of the mix commences with Saarid’s wobbly “Future Lately feat. Javi (Walker & Royce Remix)” which leads into the thick rubber band basslines of Seikaly’s own “Desert Night’s” and his most punishing track of the mix, “Illusion.” Next, a gorgeous instrumental, “Watergate” sets the stage for a grand exit with Seikaly’s “Maro,” “Empty Days” and Catz ‘N Dogz Remix of John Davis & The Monster Orchestra “Bourgie Bourgie.”

This summer, Seikaly will begin residencies at LIO in Ibiza and REVEL in Atlantic City, all while celebrating the release of his first compilation on Nervous Records, Nervous Nitelife Presents Rony Seikaly due out June 5th.

TRACK LISTING

1. Rony Seikaly – Mood The I Love (Rony Seikaly & Jean Claudes Ades Remix)

2. Fabo feat. Angela Sheik – Can’t Decide

3. Rony Seikaly – The Playa

4. Lazaro Casanova – Miami Vice feat. Amy Douglas (Julien Sandre Remix)

5. Rony Seikaly – Bring It On

6. Rony Seikaly – Build Up The Volume

7. Rony Seikaly – You Can Feel It

8. Saarid – Future Lately feat. Javi (Walker & Royce Remix)

9. Rony Seikaly – Desert Nights

10. Rony Seikaly – Illusion

11. Watergate (Instrumental)

12. Rony Seikaly – Maro

13. Rony Seikaly – Empty Days

14. John Davis & The Monster Orchestra – Bourgie Bourgie (Catz ‘N Dogz Remix)

RONY SEIKALY LIVE TOUR DATES SCHEDULE

5/22 Cielo – New York City

5/25 Playhouse – Los Angeles, CA

5/26 Wet Republic – Las Vegas, NV

6/3 RX Pool Party/Delano – Miami, FL

7/14 Southpointe – The Hamptons, NY

7/15 Wet Republic – Las Vegas, NV

7/21 Voyeur – San Diego, CA

7/22 XIV – Lon Angeles, CA

Ray Allen says his ankle is improving

The Boston Celtics are a different-looking team these days, and Ray Allen has a lot to do with that.

Allen is starting to move without the ball and raise up for shots — and knock them down — in a fashion that’s similar to what we’ve seen from him in the past.

The ankle injury that hobbled him for weeks, Allen said, isn’t nearly as bothersome anymore.

“Just going into the game, starting the game, having my legs underneath me is for me it’s a huge deal now,” said Allen, who had 16 points on 6-for-16 shooting from the field. “How I feel now is a lot different from how I start the game.”

— Reported by A. Sherrod Blakely

Dwyane Wade expects Tyson Chandler to start for Olympic team

The Knicks’ Tyson Chandler was a safe bet to make the Olympic team this year, because the coaches love the center’s selfless style and defensive mentality. It turns out the players feel likewise.

Heat guard Dwyane Wade said that because Dwight Howard has undergone back surgery, he expects Chandler to start at center for Team USA in this summer’s London Olympics.

“Absolutely,” Wade said. “We watched Tyson, the things that he does, his ability to cover so much on the basketball court, from the three-point line to the rim. He’s phenomenal.”

“And especially the style of play in the Olympics is a little different. The style is not necessarily post-up, post-up, post-up. It’s more so of having a big guy down there, someone who can defend, someone who can rebound, someone who can catch and finish. So he brings that to the team.”

— Reported by Al Iannazzone of New York Newsday

Heat may have Chris Bosh for Game 5

With the Eastern Conference finals headed for a tense finish, the Miami Heat appear ready to try to get their missing All-Star on the floor.

According to multiple sources, the Heat are hoping to activate Chris Bosh for Tuesday’s Game 5 if he doesn’t suffer a setback in workouts over the next two days. Bosh declined to discuss his status following the Heat’s 93-91 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday, which tied the series at 2-2.

Bosh has missed three weeks and nine playoff games since going down with an abdominal strain in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers. The Heat have not put an official timetable on his return but it is believed they were targeting a three-week window for a return if he didn’t have setbacks in his rehab.

— Reported by Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com

LeBron James annoyed by Game 4 foul-out

This time LeBron James couldn’t get criticized for missing the last shot or passing the ball in the final seconds. It wasn’t possible Sunday night since the Miami Heat forward had the same amount of control on the outcome as a Boston Celtics fan in the rafters of section 312 at TD Banknorth Garden.

A stoic James stood with his arms folded at the end of overtime in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals after fouling out for the first time since 2008. With no James and Chris Bosh unavailable due to injury, it was back to Dwyane Wade’s old Heat days as he had the ball in his hands with the Celtics ahead 93-91 as the clocked ticked down. James helplessly watched from the other side of the floor as Wade’s game-winning 3-point attempt didn’t save the day and the Celtics tied the series 2-2.

“I don’t foul out,” James said after scoring a game-high 29 points. “If I’m going to foul out, that sixth foul, I wish I would have earned it [and it] had actually been a foul on me. Whatever.”

James received his sixth foul, an offensive one, in the post with 1:51 left in OT after getting tangled up and going to the ground with Mickael Pietrus. The Celtic defender got veteran referee Joey Crawford to bite on the thespian act. James had four offensive fouls Sunday and the deciding whistle happened with Boston ahead 92-91. Celtics fans roared at a fever pitch as James strolled to the bench.

— Reported by Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports

Celtics beat Heat 93-91 in OT, tie series at 2-2

The Celtics’ big lead gone and leading scorer along with it, Rajon Rondo had a message for Kevin Garnett.

”It’s time,” Rondo said. ”We have to take the game over.” …

Rondo had 15 points and 15 assists, and scored the final three points of the Celtics’ 93-91 overtime victory on Sunday night that evened the Eastern Conference finals at two games apiece.

Getting a huge break when LeBron James fouled out for the first time since joining the Heat, the Celtics recovered after blowing an 18-point lead in regulation and need two victories for a third trip to the NBA finals in five years.

Garnett added 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Celtics, while Paul Pierce scored 23 points before fouling out. Ray Allen finished with 16 points.

James had 29 points and Wade scored 20 after another dismal start for the Heat, who host Game 5 on Tuesday…

In a game that started as a Celtics blowout and turned into a foul- and tension-filled fourth quarter, followed by the second overtime in this series, the Celtics held on when Wade missed a potential winning 3-pointer on the last possession.

— Reported by Brian Mahoney of the Associated Press

Pierce committed his sixth personal, an offensive foul on a collision off the ball with Shane Battier with 4:22 left in overtime. Udonis Haslem’s dunk gave Miami a 91-89 advantage, but those would turn out to be the final Heat points.

Daniels replaced Pierce and hit a free throw, but then lost a rebound out of bounds after a Mario Chalmers miss. Garnett then defended a Chalmers drive, with Rondo scoring in transition.

Garnett then rebounded a James miss. Rondo misfired on a drive, and Pietrus drew James’s sixth personal with 1:51 left. Pietrus grabbed two offensive rebounds to extend a 65-second possession, and Garnett was off target with 46 seconds left.

Battier missed a 3-point try, Daniels drawing a foul on the rebound. Rondo drew a foul with 21.4 seconds left and missed the first free throw, but the second made it 93-91, the Heat calling a timeout.

Daniels fouled Dwyane Wade with 14 seconds left, the Heat calling a 20-second timeout. Rondo and Daniels switched onto Wade, who missed an open 3-pointer just before the buzzer.

— Reported by Frank Dell’Apa of the Boston Globe

Wade finished with 20 points on 7 of 22 shooting and played the entire second half and overtime. Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 23 points before fouling out in overtime. Rondo had 15 points and 15 assists.

“I got a good look,” Wade said of his final shot. “It just didn’t go in.”

James drilled a three-pointer with 37.5 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 89-89. On the Celtics’ next possession, he forced a turnover when he absorbed a charge by Kevin Garnett. With 21.1 seconds left and the game tied, the Heat had time to draw up a potential game-winning play. Whatever coach Erik Spoelstra drew up went off script when James passed to Udonis Haslem at the buzzer, who air-balled a jump shot. James’ pass to Haslem was partially deflected.

“When he gets doubled, I come from the strong side and try to get in LeBron’s vision,” Haslem said. “I don’t think we would do anything differently. I we could, I would have probably pulled a little higher, so he could get a better passing angle.”

— Reported by Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald

Chris Bosh works out with Heat

Chris Bosh took part in the Miami Heat’s morning workout Friday, though coach Erik Spoelstra won’t say if the injured All-Star forward can return for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics.

Bosh remained sidelined by a lower abdominal strain for Friday night’s Game 3 and Spoelstra says “his return is indefinite.” Game 4 is Sunday in Boston.

Spoelstra says Bosh will be re-evaluated daily.

— Reported by the Associated Press