*WARNING* This is the longest post I have ever created *WARNING*

GAME 1- The Celtics exploded out of the gate and it appeared as though this series would be similar to the Hawks series of 2 years ago (complete domination on the home court). After the game got going, both teams started to settle in. What at first appeared to be a high scoring affair, turned completely into a defensive game. Although the Celtics struggled to score in the 2nd and 4th quarters, their swarming defense kept them alive.

A part of this game that can be looked past is the fact that the Celtics were down by 14 points in the 3rd quarter. Fans started to get a little restless (I started to get a little restless) and we wondered if it would be the same old song and dance that we saw throughout the regular season. Delightfully we were shown that this WOULDN'T be the same as the regular season, and the team came back strong through hustle, determination, pride, and heart. Once down 14 in the 3rd quarter, ended in a 10 point victory. Oh yeah, and there was a little scuffle at the end that got KG suspended for a game and Richardson a fine for being a punk.

Heat 76   Celtics 86

Celtics Lead Series 1-0

GAME 2- Domination.. What would the Celtics do with the loss of Garnett? They would have Glen Davis fill in for him and score 23 points, and have Ray Allen go nuts from behind the arc (7-9). The hype going into the game was that Richardson would be fed a heavy dose of boo's, but once the Celtics grabbed a 20+ point lead, that was put on the back burner. It turned into, "Just how much can we beat these guys by tonight?" Final answer: 29.

Heat 77   Celtics 106

Celtics Lead Series 2-0

GAME 3- Now onto the road. The C's had done what they were supposed to do by winning both games at home. After a great season on the road, could they carry it into the playoffs? It looked that way heading into the 4th quarter. Boston had grown a good sized lead of 8, but as the final quarter progressed it started to slowly slip away. At the end of the game, both teams had great opportunity to take the lead and put all of the pressure on their opposition.

In Miami's final possession, Dwyane Wade pulled up on Ray Allen and took a 3. In a very awkward choice of shots, he doinked it giving the ball back to the Celtics. Even looking back on it, it was not a very smart decision not to drive to the hoop. It was the end of the game, his name is "Dwyane Wade", and the referees were begging to blow their whistle. All they needed was one flopping body to attack the rim and they would be all over it.

Either way, they didn't, and the C's got the ball back for one last shot. Would it be Ray for 3? Or maybe Rondo attacking the basket? OR, could they possibly mix it up a bit and give it to KG for a last shot? No, no, and no. Pierce got the ball and at that point you knew it was one on one fade away time. As The Truth dribbled into the shot and faded away on Dorell Wright, you could feel as the shot was in the air that it was game over, series over.

Celtics 100   Heat 98

Celtics Lead Series 3-0

GAME 4- The Celtics looked like they thought the Heat were going to come out and play dead. It was like they didn't think they would have to play like they did the 3 games before, and the series would just finish itself out. Wrong. The Heat came to play. They got up huge in the 1st half. Just as quickly as the Heat got it, they lost it. Miami went into the half only up 6.

After a very strong 3rd quarter, the Celtics had a grasp on the game, and again you thought the Heat would quit. Afterall, they are down 3-0, and just couldn't seem to figure out the C's. Wade would have none of it. He got hot, hit a bunch of 3's, blah blah blah, and the "Heat" or the "Wade's" won the game. Unfortunately Boston would have to play one more game, but atleast it would be in front of the home crowd.

Celtics 92   Heat 101

Celtics Lead Series 3-1

GAME 5- For the first 2 and a half quarters this game appeared like it would be a blow out. Even though the Heat were getting the majority of the 50/50 call, they just couldn't seem to scrap their way back into it. Ray Allen got on fire again, and eventually the Celtic lead was 21 points in the 3rd quarter. Game over, pack it in and head to Cleveland.

Not so fast. The Heat just would not give up. After back to back 3's by Mario Chalmers, and a steady run by the rest of the squad, Miami found themselves down by just 3 in the 4th quarter. What happened? No big deal, just a minor hiccup in the road. The C's stretched it back out to 10 and used a Ray Allen dagger 3 at 2 minutes left in the game to finally raise the flag on this first round series.

Heat 86   Celtics 96

Celtics Win Series 4-1

(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) / (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) / (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)