First Degree Burn

The Celtics lost their cool and the game Saturday afternoon in Miami and now trail Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh 1-0 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. 

Apparently all that time off wasn't quite the advantage it was supposed to be.

Exactly a week ago, the championship or bust Boston Celtics finished off their sweep of the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. And, because they made such quick work of their first round opponent, the Green were rewarded with six full days to rest, regroup and prepare for the next challenge that awaited them: the Miami Heat.

Instead, the veteran Celtics looked out of sync in Game One against the high-flying Heat on Saturday afternoon. The listless Celts trailed by as many as 19 points before eventually succumbing to Miami 99-90 before a raucous, sell-out crowd of 20,021 at American Airlines Arena.

Just like that, all the momentum Boston built up over the Knicks in round one seems to have been lost.

"There's so many things we need to do to get better," admitted Ray Allen after the game. "I think everybody in that locker room knows that, just from a small conversation we just had."

While many fans and analysts alike will point to the Celtics less-than-stellar showing on the court, the story of the game may instead be their loss of composure between the ears.

Having already been slapped with a technical after confronting James Jones earlier in the game, one would think captain Paul Pierce would seal his lips and recognize that another such indiscretion would put his team at serious risk.

Not so.

Instead, with his team down just 13 with seven minutes to play, Pierce collided with Dwyane Wade along the baseline and then got up in his face, with the two stars engaging each other in a staredown. Referee Ed Malloy instantly slapped Pierce with another technical, officially ejecting him from the game, striking an instant blow to any chance of a Celtic comeback in the game.

"It was what we call a verbal taunt," explained lead official Dan Crawford. "He directly profanity towards Wade. And in the rulebook, this is a verbal taunt. And it just so happened to be Pierce's second technical foul."

However, teammate Ray Allen explained the situation differently and eluded to the fact that the referees did not listen to what Pierce said exactly.

They merely T'ed him up on instinct.

"I don't think he said anything that was at the referee or that was even focused at D-Wade," said Allen, who was one of the lone Celtics to show up on Saturday (25 points, 3 boards, 3 assists). "Paul was just, 'I'm tough, I'm tough. That's not going to faze me.'"

However, at this point in the season, the veteran Celtics must know not to put themselves in any type of compromising position concerning the officials. Anyone who watches professional basketball regularly knows that NBA officials are by far the worst and most inconsistent referees of any sport. As a result, the Celtics should know better than to even give them an ounce of reason to make a call like Crawford did on Pierce.

"Anything can tick a referee off," added Allen. "That's why we always say don't put it in their hands. You've got to make sure that you're smart out there."

On Saturday afternoon, the Celtics were anything but smart. They lost their cool, let their emotions get the best of them and now find themselves trailing the Heat 1-0 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

"I was more disappointed letting my teammates down," admitted Pierce after the game. "You put yourself in a situation you can control, and it hurts your team, that's what I was most upset about. I can't do that. I'm too important to this team."

The Truth has his first shot at revenge Tuesday night when Game 2 tips off in Miami.

Let's hope the C's can keep their mouths shut and stick to playing the championship style basketball we've come to expect all season long.