SB Nation Boston - Heat 115, Celtics 107: Norris Cole, Miami Send Boston To Second Losshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48863/boston-fave.png2011-12-27T23:16:21-05:00http://boston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/24273012011-12-27T23:16:21-05:002011-12-27T23:16:21-05:00Celtics Vs. Heat Final Score: Norris Cole, Miami Edge Boston, 115-107
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<p><span>Norris Cole</span> scored 20 points off the bench to pace the Miami Heat, who nearly surrendered a 17-point lead but held on for a 115-107 victory over the Boston Celtics in the second game of the season on Tuesday night at AmericanAirlines Arena.</p>
<p><span>LeBron James</span> scored 26 points and had six rebounds and fives assists and <span>Dwyane Wade</span> added 24 points and eight assists for Miami, which made 42-of-75 field goals (56.0 percent) and 6-of-10 three pointers. <span>Chris Bosh</span> totaled 18 points and 11 rebounds and <span>James Jones</span> made all three long range shots he attempted to finish with nine points for the Heat.</p>
<p>Ray All led all scorers with 28 points and made 6-of-8 three pointers for Boston, which shot at a decent percentage from the floor (51.4 percent; 37-for-72). <span>Rajon Rondo</span> had 22 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds and <span>Kevin Garnett</span> had 12 points, five rebounds and three steals. <span>Keyon Dooling</span> scored 18 points and <span>Brandon Bass</span> had 13 points and five boards.</p>
<p>Boston fell behind by 11 points after seven minutes, but closed the first quarter out on a run to cut Miami's lead to three, 30-27, after one quarter. Miami outscored Boston, 39-27, in the second quarter to take a 69-54 lead entering halftime. The third quarter belonged to the Celtics, who outscored the Heat 29-24. Both teams scored 24 in the fourth.</p>
<p>Boston is back in action on Wednesday night when they face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-orleans-hornets">New Orleans Hornets</a>.</p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 12.27.2011 </span> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>4</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> </span></td>
<td>27</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>29</td>
<td>24</td>
<td class="highlight">107</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> </span></td>
<td>30</td>
<td>39</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>24</td>
<td class="highlight">115</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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<p><i>For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">our team page</a> and blog, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.celticsblog.com/">CelticsBlog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-celtics/2011/12/27/2665155/celtics-vs-heat-final-score-norris-cole-lebron-james-ray-allen-rajon-rondo-nba-newsGethin Coolbaugh2011-12-27T22:29:44-05:002011-12-27T22:29:44-05:00Celtics Vs. Heat Score Update: Boston Closes The Gap, Trails 91-83 After Third Quarter
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<p><span>Brandon Bass</span> hit one of two free throws with less than a second remaining as the Boston Celtics closed out the third quarter on an 18-6 run to trim the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> lead to 91-83 after three quarters at AmericanAirlines Arena.</p>
<p><span>Ray Allen</span> has a game-high 25 points and <span>Rajon Rondo</span> has 20 points for Boston, which made 29-of-54 shots through three quarters to shoot 53.7 percent. <span>Keyon Dooling</span> has 11 points on 3-of-3 shooting from long distance off the bench.</p>
<p><span>LeBron James</span> has 24 points and <span>Dwyane Wade</span> has 21 points and five assists for Miami, which is shooting a sizzling 59.3 percent from the floor and 62.5 percent from downtown. <span>Chris Bosh</span> has 16 points and eight rebounds and <span>James Jones</span> has scored nine points on 3-for-3 shooting from the perimeter for the Heat.</p>
<p>Miami has now taken a 98-85 lead with 9:38 left in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;"></span><i>For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">our team page</a> and blog, <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/" target="_blank">CelticsBlog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-celtics/2011/12/27/2665095/celtics-vs-heat-score-update-third-quarter-recap-ray-allen-rajon-rondo-lebron-james-nba-newsGethin Coolbaugh2011-12-27T21:45:45-05:002011-12-27T21:45:45-05:00Celtics Vs. Heat Score Update: Miami Takes 69-54 Lead At Halftime
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<p><span>LeBron James</span> and <span>Dwyane Wade</span> finished the first half with 15 points apiece as the Miami Heat took a 69-54 lead over the Boston Celtics at halftime. Boston trailed by three after one quarter, but Miami outscored the C's 39-27 in the quarter.</p>
<p><span>Ray Allen</span> has been lights out so far for the Celtics, making 5-of-7 shots and 4-of-5 threes for a game-high 18 points. <span>Rajon Rondo</span> has 12 points and five assists and <span>Keyon Dooling</span> scored eight points off the bench for Boston. <span>Kevin Garnett</span> finished with six points and one rebound in 14 minutes whiel <span>Sasha Pavlovic</span> had three points in eight minutes.</p>
<p>Boston made 18-of-35 field goals to shoot 51.4 percent, but the C's turned the ball over 15 times and were out-rebounded by the Heat, 19-13. The Heat are shooting 65.7 percent (23-for-35) from the floor and 83.3 percent (5-for-6) from three.</p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Intermission</span> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>4</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="undecided"> <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> </span></td>
<td>27</td>
<td>27</td>
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<td class="highlight">54</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="undecided"> <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> </span></td>
<td>30</td>
<td>39</td>
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<td class="highlight">69</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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<p><i>For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">our team page</a> and blog, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.celticsblog.com/">CelticsBlog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-celtics/2011/12/27/2665000/celtics-vs-heat-score-update-halftime-recap-lebron-james-ray-allen-nba-newsGethin Coolbaugh2011-12-27T20:56:05-05:002011-12-27T20:56:05-05:00Celtics Vs. Heat Score Update: Miami Takes 30-27 Lead After First
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<p><span>LeBron James</span>, <span>Dwyane Wade</span> and <span>Chris Bosh</span> combined to score 20 points in the first quarter and the <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Heat</a> currently hold a 20-17 over the Boston Celtics after twenty minutes at AmericanAirlines Arena.</p>
<p>Boston fell behind 26-15 with 5:22 left in the first quarter, but the Celtics closed out the quarter on a 12-4 run to trim Miami's lead to three points at the end of the quarter.</p>
<p><span>Rajon Rondo</span> scored six points to lead the Celtics, who made 11-of-19 field goals (57.9 percent) and 2-of-4 three pointers. <span>Marquis Daniels</span> and <span>Keyon Dooling</span> had five points, <span>Ray Allen</span> scored four and <span>Sasha Pavlovic</span> added two points in the first.</p>
<p>James and Wade had seven points while Bosh added six points and four rebounds. <span>Mario Chalmers</span> had four points, two assists and two steals and <span>Juwan Howard</span> added two points off the bench.</p>
<p><i>For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">our team page</a> and blog, <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/" target="_blank">CelticsBlog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-celtics/2011/12/27/2664935/celtics-vs-heat-score-update-first-quarter-recao-lebron-james-dwyane-wade-nba-newsGethin Coolbaugh2011-12-27T17:16:16-05:002011-12-27T17:16:16-05:00Celtics Vs. Heat: Game Time, TV/Radio Schedule, Location And More
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<p><i><span>Ray Allen</span> and the Boston Celtics look for revenge against <span>LeBron James</span> and the Miami Heat in the first matchup of the year between Boston and Miami on Tuesday night in Miami, FL.</i></p>
<p><b>Event: </b>Boston Celtics (0-1) vs. Miami Heat (1-0) - NBA Regular Season, Game Two.</p>
<p><b>Date/Time:</b> Tuesday, December 27, 2011 - 8:00 p.m. EDT.</p>
<p><b>Location:</b> AmericanAirlines Arena (Capacity: 19,600), Miami, Florida.</p>
<p><b>Broadcast Info: </b>Tuesday night's game between the Celtics and Heat will be televised nationally on <b>TNT</b>, with Marv Albert, Mike Fratello and Steve Kerr calling the action. The game can also be heard on the <b>WEEI Sports Radio Network</b>, with Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell in the radio booth.</p>
<p><b>Odds: </b>Miami is <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/odds" target="_blank">a 9 1/2-point favorite</a> over Boston on Tuesday night according to Bodog.</p>
<p><b>Celtics Roster 2011-12: </b>Ray Allen, <span>Brandon Bass</span>, <span>Avery Bradley</span>, <span>Marquis Daniels</span>, <span>Keyon Dooling</span>, <span>Kevin Garnett</span>, <span>JaJuan Johnson</span>, E'Twaun Moore, Jermaine O'Neal, <span>Sasha Pavlovic</span>, <span>Paul Pierce</span>, <span>Rajon Rondo</span>, <span>Greg Stiemsma</span>, <span>Chris Wilcox</span>. Head Coach: <span>Doc Rivers</span>.</p>
<p><b>Heat Roster 2011-12: </b><span>Joel Anthony</span>, <span>Shane Battier</span>, <span>Chris Bosh</span>, <span>Mario Chalmers</span>, <span>Norris Cole</span>, <span>Eddy Curry</span>, <span>Mickell Gladness</span>, <span>Terrel Harris</span>, <span>Udonis Haslem</span>, <span>Juwan Howard</span>, LeBron James, <span>James Jones</span>, <span>Mike Miller</span>, Dexter Pittman <span>Dwyane Wade</span>. Head Coach: <span>Erik Spoelstra</span>.</p>
<p><b>Last Time Out: </b>Boston was defeated, 106-104, in the season opener against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> at Madison Square Garden on Christmas Day. <span>Carmelo Anthony</span> drained a pair of free throws with 16 seconds left to put the Knicks up by two and Kevin Garnett missed the potential game-tying jumper at the buzzer. Rajon Rondo had 31 points, 13 assists and five steals while Ray Allen scored 20 points and Garnett added 15 points and eight rebounds. Brandon Bass had 20 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for Boston, which shot 51.3 percent from the floor.</p>
<p>Miami defeated the defending champion <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> in a rematch of the 2011 NBA Finals in its season opener, 105-94, on Christmas Day. LeBron James finished with 37 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two blocks and Dwyane Wade added 27 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Heat, who shot 48.7 percent. James Jones and Udonis Haslem added nine points apiece for Miami.</p>
<p><b>Statistical Leaders: </b>Rajon Rondo leads the Celtics in scoring (31.0 PPG), assists (13.0 APG) and steals (5 SPG) while Brandon Bass is the team's rebounding leader (11.0 RPG) and Jermaine O'Neal averages a team-high 2.0 blocks.</p>
<p>LeBron James is tied with Carmelo Anthony as the NBA's leading scorer after one game, averaging 37 points. James also leads the team in assists (6.0 APG) and blocks (2.0 BPG). Udonis Haslem averages a team-high 14 rebounds and Mario Chalmers averages 4.0 steals. </p>
<p><b>Storyline:</b> Painful memories may resurface tonight for Celtics fans, as the C's face the Heat for the first time since being eliminated from the playoffs last year at the hands of King James and the new 'Big Three' in Miami. The teams are by and large the same, with Shane Battier being the new big addition for the Heat and Brandon Bass, Chris Wilcox and Keyon Dooling making up the new major faces for Boston.</p>
<p>Miami had its way in the first game of the season against the defending champion Dallas Mavericks while Boston fell just short in a thriller against the New York Knicks on Christmas Day. Both teams had points where they looked really good and points where they struggled. </p>
<p>This is a rivalry game, for now. Both teams will likely finish in the top four or five spots in the Eastern Conference, but the Celtics and Heat are going in different directions. Miami is on the rise, having come two wins shy of an NBA title last season. As for the Celtics, an early playoff exit at the hands of the Heat had them regrouping this offseason. The C's continue to age, creating a lot of questions about whether or not this team can compete for a championship this season.</p>
<p>Regarding tonight's game, the Heat should have their way. Miami's offense appears to be clicking right from the start, while the Celtics took a while to get going in the opener. Also, the Celtics will be without their best player of the past decade -- Paul Pierce -- who continues to recover from a bruised right heel. Sasha Pavlovic, who didn't score and had one rebound in 15 minutes against New York, will once again start in place of the injured Pierce.</p>
<p>Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen will have to pick up a lot fo the scoring load once again, provided that Rajon Rondo doesn't have another big 30-point night. Any way you look at it, the Celtics will miss Pierce. Period.</p>
<p><b>Players To Watch: </b>Two of the best players in the NBA are playing in this game in LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. It's almost a given that the two will perform and have 20 or 30 point performances. As for the Celtics, Rajon Rondo's distribution and addition offense will be important if the Celtics plan to be successful, tonight and in the future. Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are also vital, as the Celtics will need every point they can get out of them.</p>
<p><b>Prediction: </b>Last year, this game would have been a close contest. Yet with an older Celtics roster and more chemistry between James, Wade and Chris Bosh -- not to mention the absence of Paul Pierce for Boston -- this could get ugly. Unfortunately, I think it will. <b>Final Score: Heat 98, Celtics 74.</b></p>
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<p class="game-title"><a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> <br> <span>@ <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> </span></p>
<p class="game-info"><span>Tuesday, Dec 27, 2011, 8:00 PM EST</span><br> AmericanAirlines Arena</p>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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<p><i>For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">our team page</a> and blog, <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/" target="_blank">CelticsBlog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-celtics/2011/12/27/2664444/celtics-vs-heat-2011-game-time-tv-radio-schedule-announcers-location-nba-newsGethin Coolbaugh2011-12-27T12:58:33-05:002011-12-27T12:58:33-05:00Paul Pierce Injury Update: Celtics' Captain Doubtful Against Heat
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<p><span>Paul Pierce</span> is expected to miss his second straight game as he continues to recover from a bruised right-heel when the Boston Celtics face the <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Heat</a> in South beach on Tuesday night, according to head coach <span>Doc Rivers</span>.</p>
<p>"He worked out (Monday), went pretty well," said Rivers <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/_/id/7392772/boston-celtics-captain-paul-pierce-doubtful-tuesday-game-miami-heat"><b>(via ESPN)</b></a>. "He didn't get as sore, so that's a good sign. He's not going to play tonight -- I doubt it, at least."</p>
<p>Pierce missed most of training camp and was on the bench for the Celtics' season-opening 106-104 loss to the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Knicks</a> on Christmas Day. <span>Sasha Pavlovic</span> started in Pierce's place and had zero points and one rebound in 15 minutes.</p>
<p>Rivers would not comment on Pierce's status for Wednesday night's road trip finale against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-orleans-hornets" class="sbn-auto-link">New Orleans Hornets</a>, saying only that the C's captain is "day-to-day" right now.</p>
<p>As reported by ESPN's Chris Forsberg, Pierce was one of the first players out on the practice court during Tuesday's morning shootaround in Miami, taking shots at both ends of the court (and even dunking).</p>
<p><i>For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">our team page</a> and blog, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.celticsblog.com/">CelticsBlog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-celtics/2011/12/27/2663910/paul-pierce-injury-update-celtics-captain-doubtful-against-heatGethin Coolbaugh2011-12-27T08:01:29-05:002011-12-27T08:01:29-05:00Celtics Vs. Heat: Rivalry Or Old News?
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<p>As much as it pains me to write, the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Celtics</a> and <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Heat</a> may not be a rivalry at all. At least, within a year or so. Sure, it will be a big match-up when the C's and Heat meet for the first time since Game 5 of the 2011 Eastern Conference Semifinals -- when <span>LeBron James</span> finally eliminated them in the playoffs. It's on TNT, and it's two of the top four teams in the East going at it.</p>
<p>In one year, it may only be a second-page story.</p>
<p>Miami is on the rise. LeBron and D-Wade are coming off a season in which they came two wins short of an NBA championship. It was disappointing for the Heat, but it was only their first season with the 'new Big Three' as the media has tabbed them. There's still a lot more Finals trips where that came from.</p>
<p>Boston, however, is going in the opposite direction. An aging core of <span>Paul Pierce</span>, <span>Kevin Garnett</span> and <span>Ray Allen</span> came within one game -- one quarter, even -- of winning the 2010 NBA Finals against the Los Angles <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lakers</a> after winning in 2007-08, but it's been a downhill road ever since.</p>
<p>Soon, the Celtics could be a lottery team. That's a scary though, but it's certainly possible if they can't swing a trade or sign a marquee free agency this offseason. As a fan, it's not a thought that one wants to grasp. Yet it's reality.</p>
<p>If Danny Ainge can't work his magic, it may be 2006 all over again for Boston.</p>
<p><i>For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">our team page</a> and blog, <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/" target="_blank">CelticsBlog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-celtics/2011/12/27/2663266/celtics-vs-heat-2011-lebron-james-paul-pierce-kevin-garnett-nba-scores-newsGethin Coolbaugh2011-12-27T07:00:46-05:002011-12-27T07:00:46-05:00Celtics Vs. Heat: Boston, Miami Rekindle Rivalry In South Beach
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<p>It's a rivalry renewed. Ray Allen and the Boston Celtics rekindle their rivalry with LeBron James and the Miami Heat in their first meeting of the 2011-12 season at 8:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday at AmericanAirlines Arena (TV/Radio: TNT/WEEI).</p> <p>The memory of the last meeting between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> still stings. After the clock ticked down to zero in Game of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, <span>LeBron James</span> knelt down on the floor and took in the moment.</p>
<p>At long last, he had done it. LeBron finally beat the Celtics.</p>
<p>It was a moment of jubilance for King James and his fans, but a moment of depression and agony for Celtics fans. James would move on to beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> and came two victories short of winning the NBA Finals. For Boston, another year of the Big Three era went to waste.</p>
<p><span>Ray Allen</span> and the Celtics look to erase that painful memory as the take on King James and the Miami Heat for the first time this season at 8:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday night in Miami, Florida (TV/Radio: TNT/WEEI).</p>
<p>Boston (0-1) was topped in a thrilling season opener, 106-104, by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> on Christmas Day courtesy of two late free throws from <span>Carmelo Anthony</span>, who finished with 37 points and eight rebounds. The Celtics fell behind early and trailed by ten points at halftime, but a huge third quarter put the Celtics in control before the Knicks dominated the fourth.</p>
<p><span>Rajon Rondo</span> had an impressive outing, scoring 31 points and totaling 13 assists and five steals. Ray Allen finished with 20 points and <span>Kevin Garnett</span> added 15 points and eight boards. Boston finished the game 39-of-76 from the field after shooting less than 40 percent in the opening quarter. <span>Sasha Pavlovic</span>, who started in place of the injured <span>Paul Pierce</span>, had zero points and one rebound in 15 minutes.</p>
<p>Miami (1-0) and its new-look offense put forth a powerful performance in its season-opening 105-94 win over the defending-champion <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a>. James scored 37 points and racked up 10 rebounds and six assists. <span>Dwyane Wade</span> had 26 points, eight boards and six assists and <span>James Jones</span> and <span>Udonis Haslem</span> scored nine points apiece.</p>
<p>Boston and Miami met four times in the regular season, with the Celtics winning three times. The C's won the season opener and first ever game that James and Wade played together, 88-80, and won again in the next game, 112-107. Boston won again, 85-82, in February but were blown out, 100-77, in the regular season series finale in April.</p>
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<h3>Next Game</h3>
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<p class="game-title"><a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> <br><span>@ <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> </span></p>
<p class="game-info"><span>Tuesday, Dec 27, 2011, 8:00 PM EST</span><br> AmericanAirlines Arena</p>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-celtics/2011/12/27/2663234/celtics-vs-heat-2011-rajon-rondo-kevin-garnett-lebron-james-dwyane-wade-nba-scores-newsGethin Coolbaugh