The Miami Heat have an opportunity Monday night to extend their current winning streak to 23 games, which would place them in sole possession of the second-longest winning streak in NBA history. Standing in their way are the Boston Celtics, who are on an 11-game home winning streak of their own.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is wary of the Celtics, with whom his Heat have developed a fierce rivalry. ''If there's any group that would be motivated in a circumstance like this, it's that team in green. I don't know if the streak will be a big factor, but they love playing against us, and vice versa. That's what happens when you meet a team consecutively in the playoffs. There's a history there and that's what makes these games special."
The Heat have bounced the Celtics from the last two postseasons, and LeBron James played one of the best games of his career in Game 6 of last season's Eastern Conference Finals to stave off elimination. He scored 45 points on 19-of-26 shooting in that game and also grabbed 15 rebounds. There is no love lost between the two teams, as evidenced by Celtics forward Paul Pierce's remarks on Miami's streak. ''I really don't even care. I hope they lose every game the rest of the season. I just worry about what this team does.'' Ray Allen, who won a title with the Celtics, also bolted to the Heat this past offseason for less money than the Celtics were offering. Rumors flew that Allen couldn't get along with point guard Rajon Rondo.
The Celtics may be without All-Star power forward/center Kevin Garnett, who missed Saturday's game against the Charlotte Bobcats with a strained left thigh. They have also done without Rondo since January due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Spoelstra is not looking past Boston even if they are riddled with injuries Monday night. ''We have to treat them with the respect they deserve. Regardless of who plays for them, that's a team that will come out with an incredible amount of urgency.''
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