And the Heat streak continues…
The Boston Celtics failed in their bid to snap the Miami Heat’s winning streak after a 105-103 loss to the LeBron James-led team that is now on a 23-game winning streak.
The Luck of the Irish was not on the Celtics’ side during their game following St. Patrick’s Day. Although they scored 17 straight points in the first quarter, shot 62 percent in the first half, and Jeff Green had one of his best career games with a 43-point performance, the Celtics were not able to stop the streaking Heat.
LeBron had another fantastic night with 37 points, 12 assists, and 7 rebounds that helped his team overcome the Kevin Garnett-less Celtics. James’ performance included the final shot-sinking a go-ahead basket with 10.5 seconds left in the game.
Although the Celtics led for most of the game, a wide-open three point shot by Mario Chalmers gave Miami the lead late into the fourth quarter. Green tried to tie the game in the last seconds with a drive to the basket but was denied by Miami’s Shane Battier not once, but twice, even when Battier sat out most of the last quarter.
Part of LeBron’s huge game was due to a ‘pep’ talk by Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.
“Save us. And he did,” said Spoelstra.
“I don’t have any other words that you guys haven’t used before. He’s the best. You never take it for granted and shame on anybody who takes Number Six for granted because he’s a special talent. Aside from his physical skills, he plays the right way. He plays to win. He’s an unbelievable teammate, unselfish. That’s what makes him special,” said Battier on LeBron.
The 23-game winning streak of the Heat is one more than the Houston Rockets’ back in 2008, and 10 games away from the all-time record set by the Los Angeles Lakers over 40 years ago.