Miami 107, Boston 99

Strange game.

[recap] [box score] [highlights]

As shorthanded as Boston was, losing this one was almost expected. The personnel problems were exacerbated by foul trouble in the first quarter; Kendrick Perkins picked up two quick fouls, and Mikki Moore came in and was whistled for four -- yes, four -- by the end of the first quarter. They weren't necessarily bad calls, but the officials, knowing that we were shorthanded, didn't do us any favors. They called a very tight game.

Nevertheless, we were up 55-50 at halftime, thanks to stellar play from Ray Allen and Leon Powe. We finally wore down a bit and Miami started to pull away, going up 15 in the fourth quarter. Jermaine O'Neal was then called for a flagrant foul and a technical for throwing Bill Walker to the ground and then barking at him, and that seemed to spark us, as Eddie House finally hit some shots and we cut the lead to 1. We actually got the stop we needed, too, but House couldn't corral the rebound with a Heat player hanging all over his back. Dwyane Wade completed a three-point play with the extra possession, and although we cut it to one again, we couldn't get the stops we needed.

With all these injuries, and with the Clippers blowing a 17-point fourth-quarter lead to the Cavs Tuesday night, we can probably forget about home court advantage. The key now is to get healthy.

Next game is Friday against Memphis, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern.