Despite big three's subpar performance, Heat beat Celtics

Back in February, the Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade referred to the Boston Celtics as his teams' "bigger brothers". He compared the Heat's struggles against the defending Eastern Conference champs to those that Lebron James and Michael Jordan both went through against the Detroit Pistons, before ultimately making it to the NBA finals.

But on Sunday, it was the Heat that looked like the veteran team, with an impressive 100-77 win that surely left many Celtics fans doubting the wisdom of general manager Danny Ainge. 

Ever since the Celtics traded their beloved center Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team has plummeted to 29 in rebounding and opponents have taken advantage ever since. 

What should be most alarming to the Celtics is the fact that only one of the Heat's best three players played particularly well. While James finished with 27 points on 11 for 19 shooting, Chris Bosh finished with just 13 points and Wade continued his struggles against the Celtics finishing with 14 points on 4 for 12 shooting. 

Joell Anthony and Lebron James both go for block on Paul Pierce

Often criticized as the weak link of the team, it was the Heat's bench that would provide the spark in the victory with a combined 32 points. 

Point guard Mario Chalmers hit some big three pointers and finished with nine points. Forward Juwan Howard scored six and swingman James Jones scored five. 

But it was center Joel Anthony who was most effective, finishing with seven points and 10 rebounds and consistently disrupting opposing shots at the rim. 

"Obviously we understood there was a lot at stake with this game," Anthony said. "We understood what position we were in and what position we wanted to put ourselves in. Everyone just came really focused for this game and make sure we executed and do the things we needed to do." 

After averaging 14.3 assists in the previous three Celtics victories against the Heat, Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo was held to just seven points and five assists this time around, turning the all star into a non-factor.

"I think we were covering up a lot of mistakes with our energy, disposition, saving possessions," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "I think against great players like that, that's what you have to do. Ideally, we're trying to do the same that we did in the previous three games but we were a little more conventional." 

With a win against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, the Heat would need just one final win against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday to lock down the second seed in the Eastern Conference. As the the number two seed the Heat will have home court through the first two rounds of the playoffs.