| |
|
NBA Playoffs - Heat dispatch Nets, advance to East Finals
By Homer D. Sayson PhilBoxing.com Fri, 16 May 2014

CHICAGO -- Trailing the entire second half and down 89-80 with just 5:34 left in the fourth quarter, it seemed imminent that the Brooklyn Nets would extend the Eastern Conference semifinals to a Game 6.
But like they've always done when their backs are against the wall, the Miami Heat summoned their championship will and pulled the rug underneath the Nets with a 16-5 run that stole Game 5, 96-94, and eliminated Brooklyn, 4-1.
Ray Allen sealed the improbable comeback Wednesday night at the American Airlines Arena by hitting a 3 that gave Miami a 93-91 cushion in the final 32 seconds. He added two free throws with 21.6 ticks to go to put Game 5 beyond doubt.
LeBron James had another all-around performance with 29 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists, Dwyane Wade swished home 28, and Chris Bosh added 16. Allen finished with 13 for Miami, which converted only 29 of 67 form the field and 9 of 19 triples.
"You can't get caught up in frustrations, you can't get caught up in trying to get a 10-point play. It just takes incredible focus, to concentrate one possession at a time," Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra told NBA.com after pulling off the rally.
Shooting 47.4 percent from the field (37-of-78) and 36.4 percent from 3-point range (8-of-22), the Nets controlled much of Game 5, leading 49-42 at halftime at 75-66 after three quarters.
But when the two-time defending champions Heat came roaring back with dangerous intent, the Nets wilted like the stem of a thirsty rose.
"You have to give the Heat credit. They made shots, we didn't..It happens," Brooklyn head coach Jason Kidd said.
Joe Johnson led Brooklyn with 34 points and 7 boards, Paul Pierce drilled 19, and Deron Williams accounted for 17. Kevin Garnett pulled down 8 boards, but he was a non-factor on offense with a mere 2 points. (Homer D. Sayson)
Photo: Heat stars Dwyane Wade (R) and LeBron James celebrate after advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals for the fourth straight year.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
“Lucky Boy" Alicaba Ready for Action Friday in Thailand By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026WBO & WBA World Champion René “El Chulo” Santiago Hosts Open Media Workout Ahead of April 3 Title Defense in Tokyo , Thu, 26 Mar 2026Former WBA FEDELATIN President Panamanian Aurelio Fiengo passes away By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026The 19th edition of the Kamatyas Rapid Open and Kiddies Chess Tournament on March 28, 2026 By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026WIG-WHAM! MILLER PLANS ‘OLD SCHOOL’ BEATING OF PERO IN LAS VEGAS , Thu, 26 Mar 2026ProBoxTV Bringing a Storm of Flying Leather to Thunder Studios This Saturday, March 28, as Bryan Acosta Collides with Ronny Rios in Crossroads Bantamweight Slugfest , Thu, 26 Mar 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Training Camp Quotes , Thu, 26 Mar 2026Remembering Mr. Elorde: Still the Gold Standard By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026House of Representatives say yes to the Boxing Revitalization Act and it is now sent to the Senate By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Ryan ‘The Polish Prince’ Kielczweski To return after 4-year layoff to fight at home on Granite Chin’s ‘Rumble at the Rink II’ card , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Ellaine Summer Abanco wins silver medal on tiebreak By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Catubig, McDowell win in DC Athletic 4 By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Team Juna wins first competition in IRONMAN 70.3 Davao By Kim delos Reyes-Teves, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Round 12: Without Promoters there is no Boxing By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Mexican female IBF Champion Irma Garcia to defend on April 5 in England By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Mar 202614-0 super middleweight prospect Tommy ‘The Governor’ Hyde to headline April 18th at home in Cork, Ireland , Wed, 25 Mar 2026MMA legend Jon Jones joins IBA Bare Knuckle as global ambassador , Wed, 25 Mar 2026GOLDEN BOY SIGNS NEW EXCLUSIVE MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP EXTENSION WITH DAZN , Wed, 25 Mar 2026“The Takeover” Teofimo Lopez Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Boxlab Promotions Fighters Shine with Statement Victories in Orlando , Tue, 24 Mar 2026Red Owl Boxing Presents Box Fest XVII on Friday, April 3rd at The Archer Music Hall in Allentown, PA and LIVE on DAZN , Tue, 24 Mar 2026Boxing world fans waiting Isis Sio prompty recovery; Team Isis Sio statement By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 24 Mar 2026National Master Nika Juris Nicolas rules National Youth & Schools Chess Championships , Tue, 24 Mar 2026SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS DOUBLE MAIN EVENTS SET AS JULIUS “JUJU” BALLO SQAURES OFF AGAINST ROMAN REYES AT FRONTWAVE ARENA ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026 , Mon, 23 Mar 2026"I'M A MAN OF MY WORD": GEORGE LIDDARD COMPLETES MATCHROOM BRENTWOOD HALF MARATHON FOR CHARITY – HOURS AFTER DENNY WIN , Mon, 23 Mar 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|