Boston 98, Miami 83

Eddie!

[recap] [box score] [highlights]

Constitutional Law is, thus far, kicking my ass this semester, so once we looked to have gained control of this one by halftime, I tuned out a bit. I remember Eddie House going for 20 points in the second quarter; I remember the Heat getting to with 11 or 12 or 13 in the fourth; and then the next time I looked up, we were leading by 22. The box score tells the story of this one: House and Ray Allen combining for 18-of-27 from the field, including 12-of-17 three-pointers. Fifteen total triples. Most of the times you shoot over 50 percent from the field, and make 60 percent of that many threes, you are going to win handily, even if you turn it over 21 times.

The defense wasn't superb tonight, at least not in the first quarter. There was a particularly sloppy stretch where Miami missed layups on like three straight possessions, including Shawn Marion clanging a dunk. (Incidentally, Marion is coming off of a groin injury and was limited to eight minutes). We still aren't playing as tight on that end this year as we did last season.

Still, nothing but good things came out of this one, which we need, heading into Thursday night's showdown (VIEWING ALERT: TNT 8 p.m.) with the Orlando Magic, suddenly a real contender not only in the East, but for the title. Perhaps the best thing was that we got Kendrick Perkins back. As well as Brian Scalabrine played in Perk's stead, and as good a job as Kevin Garnett did on Shaquille O'Neal Monday night, Perkins will be key to slowing Orlando's monster center, Dwight Howard. Howard is too strong for Scal and KG doesn't have a quickness advantage over Howard the way he does over Shaq. We need Perk's beef against Howard. Perkins only played 22 minutes tonight, in roughly six minute intervals, which was the plan coming in as he recovers from a tweak to his recurring shoulder injury. I wouldn't expect the plan to be any different against the Magic, so expect another 20 minutes or so from Scalabrine, if he can go that long without fouling out against Howard.

This one is a must-see for Boston fans, and probably for NBA fans, as well.