Heat Take Out Celtics in Game 5

by terah on 12. May, 2011 in Featured

Miami, Florida, USA (NEWSTABULOUS) – The Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics, sending them home packing, with a 97-87 win in Wednesday’s Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals and advancing onto the finals.

Guard Dwyane Wade led all scorers having 34 points. James had 33 points, and made three baskets in the final moments to help Miami close out the series 4-1.

LeBron James said:

“Everything went through my mind at that point. Finally getting over this hump against this team. Everything I went through this summer, with ‘The Decision’ and deciding to come down here to be a part of this team … because I knew how important team is to this sport … and all the backlash I got from it.”

The Celtics were led by Ray Allen’s 18 points and Kevin Garnett added 15. Due to back injuries to Rajon Rondo and Jermaine O’Neal, they were undermanned. Rondo was also fighting a sore elbow he dislocated in Game 3.

Paul Pierce said:

“Right now, I am really upset, I wish I could have played better tonight. Unfortunately we came up on the short end of the stick. I tip my hat off to Miami. They really played great basketball.”

Trailing 87-81, the Heat came together at the right time to score the game’s final 16 points. James led the way by scoring eight points, including two 3-pointers, during the stretch. After Bosh tied the score with a dunk, James hit the last of his 3-pointers to put the Heat ahead for good.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said:

“It took a 5 1/2-month season for us to get to this point … to exorcise these demons. It was a series all of us wanted since training camp.”

The Heat are in the Eastern Conference finals for the fourth time in the franchise’s 23-year history.

James said of Boston in the on-court celebration:

“It’s a great team, Like I said, I got the utmost respect for that team. They’re the reason why all three of us came together, is because of what they did, that blueprint they had in ’08 when they all came together. So it’s a great team win and get ready for our next opponent.”

The Heat awaits the winner of the Atlanta Hawks vs Chicago Bulls match-up to see who they will face in the Eastern Conference finals.

photo:greenstreet.weei.com