Heat Blow Away Nets

     After losing four different times to the Brooklyn Nets in the regular season, the Miami Heat were working on all cylinders as they pounded their opponent 107-86 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal at American Airlines Arena on Tuesday night. The Heat, who have not played a playoff game in the last eight days, now have a 9-1 all-time playoff record against the Nets.
     Four of the Heat starters scored in double digits. LeBron James nailed down 22 points in 36 minutes while Chris Bosh compiled a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Ray Allen added 19 points along with 14 points from Dwyane Wade and 12 point from Mario Chalmers.
     What might have been the biggest surprise was that Kevin Garnett, who played just 16 minutes, was held scoreless in a postseason game for the first time in his NBA career. Deron Williams and Joe Johnson both contributed 17 points each for the Nets. Paul Pierce scored eight points in 29 minutes.
     Although Brooklyn began the game on a 7-2 edge, they were down 22-20 after one quarter. The Heat went on a 18-9 spurt at the beginning of the second quarter to get a double-digit margin of 40-29 with 3:30 left in the first half. The Nets responded with an 11-2 string and were behind 46-43 at halftime.
     A 24-9 run by Miami throughout most of the third put the Heat up 79-66 as they headed into the final quarter. The Heat made a 10-4 push at the start of the fourth and they had 19-point margin with 6:54 remaining.