The Miami Heat kick off the NBA playoffs in a way they are all familiar with, a win. Miami defeated the Charlotte Bobcats in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference series 99-88. Between LeBron James and Dwayne Wade they had a combined 50 points. It wasn’t exactly smooth sailing for the Heat in the first half, as they trailed for most of the first and second quarters.
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra says his team has been very anxious to start the postseason.
“I think throughout the game we were flat to start, and I think they were just anxious to get started. Not that they were tense, I just think there was so much buildup that extra day. It’s not an excuse, but they were very anxious to start the postseason. We started to get more into our grove at the end of the first quarter.”
This marks the 17th straight time that the Heat has defeated the Bobcats. Although Miami is very confident, James says you can’t go into the playoffs thinking you are going to win based off of experience.
“Playoff experience cannot help you with what today brings. Obviously you can use it, but we’ve been in situations. You can’t go into a game saying we’re more experienced than them so that’s why we’re going to win. You can’t do it, you have to go out and play the game, and live in the moment.”
Game 2 in the best of seven series takes place in Miami on Wednesday night at 7pm. You can watch all the live coverage on TNT.
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