Miami advanced to the NBA playoff semi-finals Wednesday, defeating the Boston Celtics 97-87 with the help of some clutch late baskets from LeBron James and a team-high 34 points by Dwyane Wade.
Miami took advantage of three turnovers and five missed shots in the final five minutes by the Celtics to score the last 16 points of the fourth quarter and win the series four games to one.
Wade finished with 34 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, while James had 33 points and Chris Bosh added 14 points and 11 rebounds.
“You can never take foot off gas because they make you fight for everything,” James said. “They are the reason why all three of us came together, that blueprint they had. They are a great team.”
It marks the first time the Heat are in the NBA semi-finals since they won the league championship five years ago.
James, who put Miami up for good with a three-pointer with 2:10 remaining, and Bosh are in their first season with the Heat. After a slow start the move to have then join Wade in Florida seems to be working.
James silenced critics who said he couldn’t play well late in big games by scoring the final 10 points of the fourth quarter.
“I never even got to all that with (what) everybody was saying about me in late-game situations,” James said. “I know what I work hard for, and that’s to be put in those positions. My coaching staff gave me a lot of confidence. Teammates kept giving me confidence, and happy to bring it home.”
Ray Allen led the Celtics with 18 points.
Boston lost the game but got some good news as coach Doc Rivers said he would like to return for another season.
“I’m a Celtic,” Rivers said. “And I love our guys. I want to win again here. I’m competitive as hell, I have a competitive group. So we’ll see. That’s where I’m at today. Tomorrow I may change my mind.”
Miami will next play the winner of the Chicago and Atlanta series. The Bulls lead that series three games to two.
