Jeff Greens 43 Points Not Enough As Heat Net 23rd Straight Win Achieving Second Longest Streak In NBA History.
In 2008 when the Houston Rockets achieved their 22-win streak, they became the second team in NBA history to win over 20 consecutive games. Coincidentally, exactly five years ago to the date, Houston’s opponents that would eventually end their streak would be the Boston Celtics. Last night, the Miami Heat traveled to Boston to continue their streak passing the Rockets as before tip-off, Kevin Garnett was ruled out due to an illness along with a thigh strain.
The Celtics already short-handed without their superstar guard, Rajon Rondo would still come into the game with their heads high immediately taking it to Miami with Jeff Green scoring 14 points in the first quarter to give the Celtics a much needed energy boost. Miami hadn’t scored in nearly 5 minutes as Boston would go on a 17-0 run to take a 31-19 lead (65% shooting) heading into the second quarter.
OS REWIND: ESPN The Mag: LeBron James & Dr. Dre
OS REWIND: LeBron James Becomes Youngest Player In NBA History To Reach 20,000 Points
In the second quarter, Jason Terry would get posterized as a dunk from King James would change the entire team’s mindset to continue with the game heading forward. Bron would get a technical for Iverson (taunting) Jason Terry after the monstrous dunk. The Heat would shorten Celtics lead to four by the conclusion of the third quarter as Udonis Haslem, Mario Chalmers and Ray Allen would all chip in 13 points collectively to giving their big 3 an boost of scoring.
The 4th quarter would essentially become the LeBron James show scoring 13 points along with contributions from Mario Chalmers netting two key three-pointers to give boys from South Beach another win to add to their streak. Celtics fans should be intrigued by the play from the former Georgetown Hoya who had a career night 43 points in only 21 shot attempts as the 6’9 combo forward will definitely be a key component along with Rajon Rondo for Boston’s future.
The Heat are now 10 games back of the Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West’s 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers team who still hold the record for the most consecutive wins at 33 as some legends are even sold on Miami passing their streak. The Heat have 16 games left and need 10 more wins to pass LA as for the all-time record which remains to seen as “some” of us behind the scenes are just wanting to see the history books rewritten. Miami travels to Cleveland tonight for LeBron’s annual homecoming as they will once again put their win-streak on the line.