Miami Heat Win Streak at 23 Games After LeBron Leads 4th Quarter Rally in Boston [Video]

All, LeBron James, NBA Jason McIntyre March 18th. 2013, 10:57pm

LeBron James scored 37 points, including a clutch 19-foot game-winner with :10 left and Miami beat Boston, 105-103, to extend the Heat’s winning streak to 23 games. It is the 2nd longest streak in NBA history.

The Heat trailed by 16 in the second quarter, and by 13 with over eight minutes left in the game. But LeBron – who earlier threw down a nasty dunk on Jason Terry – took over when it mattered, and nobody could check him. Boston tried Jeff Green, Brandon Bass and Paul Pierce, but it probably would have been nice to have Kevin Garnett (groin), too.

Green was tremendous in defeat for Boston, scoring 43 points on just 21 shots.

If you’re wondering what’s on the horizon for Miami, wins 24-27 should be automatic, as the Heat play lottery-bound teams. Chicago could be a challenge (the Nuggets needed overtime to beat the Bulls tonight). The record is 33 games by the 1971-1972 Lakers.

Wednesday @ Cleveland (no Kyrie)
Friday vs. Detroit
Sunday vs. Charlotte
Monday at Orlando

March 27th at Chicago
March 29th at New Orleans
March 31st at San Antonio (national TV game)

April 2nd vs. New York
April 5th at Charlotte
April 6th vs. Philadelphia

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33 Responses to “Miami Heat Win Streak at 23 Games After LeBron Leads 4th Quarter Rally in Boston [Video]”

1
A.P. Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 10:59 PM
Really good game even without Garnett. Jeff Green was insane. Boston can definitely push Miami to 7 games
2
VladimirCrouton Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 11:05 PM
Boston can definitely push Miami to 7 games
Sure. As long as the Heat forfeit the first 3 games.
3
Chief Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 11:07 PM
March 31st at San Antonio (national TV game)
I don’t know San Antonio’s schedule before this, but I hope Pop finds a reason to bench his players again.
4
A.P. Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 11:08 PM
Vlad, did you watch the playoffs last year? Might want to check the tape
5
Tim Ryan Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 11:10 PM
and by 13 with over eight minutes left in the game.
I didn’t know that. Terrrrrrrrible.
6
knifeyspoony Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 11:18 PM
Vlad, did you watch the playoffs last year? Might want to check the tape
I remember the Heat not having Chris Bosh for (basically) the first five games of that series.
7
Doc Holliday Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 11:20 PM
Vlad, did you watch the playoffs last year? Might want to check the tape
Did you watch the tape? If the big 3 on Miami are healthy the series doesn’t go longer then 5 games. Boston got lucky last year that Bosh didn’t play the first 4 games and that Wade was hurt.
8
vajayjay redick Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 11:22 PM
I wouldnt read too much into the whole “we did it without KG” angle. Miami tends to coast when teams rest their stars. They lost by 20 (at home) to the Knicks without Carmelo, and they barely got by the Spurs’ backups. Granted those games were earlier when the team wasnt dialed in like it is now.
If you look at the toughest games for Miami during the streak, it’s been teams like Orlando and Cleveland, not the heavy hitters. I really wouldnt read too much into this game (for either team).
9
TNCOWBOY7 Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 11:22 PM
Is Nate Silver any good at picking brackets? Thinking of just copying his.
10
Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez has the highest WAR evah! Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 11:25 PM
Boston will be a problem if Jeff Green plays like this for the rest of the year. I don’t think he’ll be playing like this for the rest of the year. They need him to, because Pierce is going to wear down being the primary scoring option and playmaker. It sucks having a backcourt who’s best playmaking comes from steals. That’s what the people who say they’re better without Rondo don’t get.
11
TNCOWBOY7 Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 11:26 PM
I should have looked before I asked. He’s just got the first round and its chalk of course.
12
vajayjay redick Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 11:56 PM
I looked at Silver’s F4. Looks like the top 4 of KenPom’s rankings.
13
Dawgfather Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 12:37 AM
Why do people care about the NBA, barring injury it is obvious who will win the championship? It was obvious before the season and even more so now. The lack of parity completely kills the intrigue for me, I have a hard time understanding how it doesn’t do the same to everyone else.
14
vajayjay redick Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 12:48 AM
Why do people care about the NBA, barring injury it is obvious who will win the championship? It was obvious before the season and even more so now. The lack of parity completely kills the intrigue for me, I have a hard time understanding how it doesn’t do the same to everyone else.
Disagree to an extent. Last year’s playoffs were full of twists and turns. Rose’s injury. Bosh’s injury. San Antonio winning 10 straight. OKC beating SA 4 straight. Miami coming back in 3 straight series. LeBron’s watershed moment in Boston.
15
TNCOWBOY7 Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 12:58 AM
Why do people care about the NBA, barring injury it is obvious who will win the championship? It was obvious before the season and even more so now. The lack of parity completely kills the intrigue for me, I have a hard time understanding how it doesn’t do the same to everyone else.
I wrote this in the LeBron dunk thread:
“I dont follow the NBA closely but is there any reason to even hold the NBA playoffs? Its going to be like in Jordans peak–James’ teams will win for as long as he decides to play.
I would hate to be in Kevin Durrant’s shoes. Nothing he can do.”
We are in agreement.
16
Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez has the highest WAR evah! Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 1:20 AM
Why do people care about the NBA, barring injury it is obvious who will win the championship? It was obvious before the season and even more so now. The lack of parity completely kills the intrigue for me, I have a hard time understanding how it doesn’t do the same to everyone else.
It’s the best playoffs in sports, that’s I watch. And dammit if the Heat are that dominant to the point where it all seems anti climatic, who in the hell doesn’t want to watch greatness? Who wouldn’t want to watch Jordan because some people thought it was automatic, or Ruth and Gehrig, Ali, early Mike Tyson. That whole why watch sentiment, especially as it pertains to the NBA has always been an idiotic sentiment to me. Oh, I can’t wait to watch the Super Bowl, so I can watch the great Joe Flacco.
17
TNCOWBOY7 Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 1:27 AM
Benjamin, count me among those not interested in watching greatness. Its why I despised Tiger and Jordan. I want to see competition not an exhibition. Sports works for more than any other reason because of the unknown. It is the ultimate reality show.
And all that said I will watch plenty of NBA playoffs this year just like I did Tiger and Jordan at their peaks. But it sure wont be as enjoyable as Bird/Magic.
That aint nostalgia that is truth.
18
A.P. Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 1:59 AM
Hockey playoffs are the best
19
Dawgfather Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 2:03 AM
It’s the best playoffs in sports, that’s I watch. And dammit if the Heat are that dominant to the point where it all seems anti climatic, who in the hell doesn’t want to watch greatness?
Basketball doesn’t have some of the inherent luxuries that others sports do in terms of parity. If you like the Heat or LeBron or want to watch them beat up on inferior teams then more power to you. My issue isn’t the Heat or disputing that they are a great team, I just think the NBA is so far beyond broken. What is that stat, like 9 franchises have won championships in the past 30 years. If you are a fan of Portland, Charlotte, Milwaukee, etc, why the hell would you buy tickets or watch their games? The way the league is now, they will never ever win a championship. I could say with some degree of confidence that the Browns or Astros could win a championship in the next 3-5 years. Probably not but we have seen turnarounds like it many times in their sports.
20
Dawgfather Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 2:06 AM
Hockey playoffs are the best
Exhibit A: The run by the 8 seed Kings last year
21
vajayjay redick Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 2:13 AM
And all that said I will watch plenty of NBA playoffs this year just like I did Tiger and Jordan at their peaks. But it sure wont be as enjoyable as Bird/Magic.
Durant may not be at LeBron’s level just yet, but he is pretty damn close.
22
TNCOWBOY7 Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 2:27 AM
Durant may not be at LeBron’s level just yet, but he is pretty damn close.
Agree. Fabulous player. Maybe top 10 I have ever seen. But Barkley was “close” with Jordan. Durant isnt strong enough (physically) and never will be. He has no chance other than he’s a good bit younger and possibly will still be great after LeBron gets to old.
23
TNCOWBOY7 Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 2:32 AM
Hockey playoffs are the best
Nothing like it. As a southern redneck hick I dont know icing from offsides but an OT playoff hockey game is as good as it gets. (As an aside, why cant World Cup soccer pussies play until they drop dead like these MEN in the NHL rather than deciding every other game with that stupid ass shootout.)
My son would rather watch the Predators over anything besides college football and he has never put on a pair of skates.
24
Wide Word of Sport (?) Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 8:41 AM
If you’re wondering what’s on the horizon for Miami, wins 24-27 should be automatic, as the Heat play lottery-bound teams.
Have you ever watched basketball? Like at all?
Wasn’t it during the Bulls’ 72 win season they lost to the Raptors at least once and maybe a second time or close, when they were an expansion team?
25
Dawgfather Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 9:45 AM
Wasn’t it during the Bulls’ 72 win season they lost to the Raptors at least once and maybe a second time or close, when they were an expansion team?
Off the top of my head I want to say it was twice.
26
Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez has the highest WAR evah! Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 10:50 AM
5 years ago, you wouldn’t be saying the Heat or OKC would have a chance to win a championship.
27
GloriousMullet Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 10:55 AM
The angle of my dangle is directly proportional to the heat of my meat.
28
Dawgfather Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 11:00 AM
5 years ago, you wouldn’t be saying the Heat or OKC would have a chance to win a championship.
Heat are one of the small handful of teams that always has a chance to be successful due to it being a desirable landing spot for free agents. Milwaukee, Charlotte, Portland, etc. not so much. OKC is a bit of an outlier but they have hit an absolute home run (found a star that has no desire to play in a big market, drafted many other nice pieces around the same time) and still won’t win a title.
29
hussler2 Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 11:03 AM
Why do people care about the NBA, barring injury it is obvious who will win the championship?
Because watching basketball is enjoyable?
30
hussler2 Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 11:05 AM
Exhibit A: The run by the 8 seed Kings last year
I find this to be a detriment to the hockey playoffs. Sure they’re exciting, but does anyone really believe that the Kings were the best team last season?
31
Dawgfather Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 11:18 AM
but does anyone really believe that the Kings were the best team last season?
Maybe not. Depends on how you define best. If you define it as the team that when the stakes are the highest and losers go home elevates their play to the highest level and is the last one standing then yes the Kings were the best. If you see it as the team that wins the most game (AKA has the least amount of let-downs) then we shouldn’t even have playoffs.
32
hussler2 Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 11:41 AM
If you see it as the team that wins the most game (AKA has the least amount of let-downs) then we shouldn’t even have playoffs.
When you’re allowing for ~50% of an entire league to enter the playoffs, you’re inviting flukey championships to occur. Basketball tends to weed out potential flukes because the impact of individual players is much more significant than many other sports.
I’m generally more interested in watching great teams play than flukey Cinderellas. Just seems like cheap excitement.
33
Dawgfather Says:
March 19th, 2013 at 12:03 PM
I’m generally more interested in watching great teams play than flukey Cinderellas. Just seems like cheap excitement.
Hmm. Well the Cinderella thing is largely pushed by the media. As I explained above, I don’t think that teams like LA winning are flukey. If the NHL didn’t allow 8 teams and instead allowed 4 or 6, you are assuming LA wouldn’t have made the playoffs. When they showed that when they had to win, they were almost unbeatable so the urgency may have kicked in earlier.
The falcons have shown many times that they can win regular season games but when other teams give them their best shot in the playoffs they get squashed. Which team is better? The one that win 13 games or the wild card that won 10 and beat the 13 win team by 4 tds in the playoffs?