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Celtics Struggle Closing Out Quarters Against Heat

BOSTON (CBS) - The Boston Celtics have struggled in many ways against the Miami Heat in the first two games of their Eastern Conference semifinals.

The ball movement has been off, the defense lethargic, and Miami's Big Three has done whatever they want on offense to take a 2-0 series lead.

The biggest problem, according to the Celtics, is their inability to close out quarters.

"I think we played well in stretches. The one thing that is really hurting us is finishing off quarters," said Paul Pierce after Boston's 102-91 Game 2 loss. "They go on five, six-oh runs in the end of quarters and that's something we need to clean up. They did it pretty much every quarter."

Read: Pierce Day-To-Day With Strained Achilles

After the Celtics took a 21-20 lead, Miami closed out the first quarter on a 7-3 run. They closed out the first half on an 8-4 run, giving them a 47-42 lead at the break. When the Celtics were able to tie the game at 80 in the fourth quarter, Miami knocked off a 14-0 run, and closed the game outscoring Boston 22-11.

"Whether we're down, whether we're up, whether the game is tied, we have given them too many points," said Ray Allen. "We have to be a lot more solid… it's something where we have to be better."

The Celtics had a chance to eat the clock and take the final shot at the end of the third quarter, but Jeff Green turned the ball over with 25 seconds remaining. Lebron James hit a jumper with two seconds on the clock to put Miami up five, and then hit another to start the fourth. What could have been a three point deficit or less suddenly turned into a seven point hole.

Paul Pierce Talks About Closing Out Quarters

Now the Celtics find themselves down 2-0 as they head home for Game 3.

"Being down 2-0 doesn't scare any of us, it doesn't make us nervous," added Allen. "It's just an opportunity to come out shining. We have an opportunity to go play at home, in front of our crowd."

Read: Celtics-Heat Playoff Schedule

"It's very difficult," Kevin Garnett said about being down 2-0. "It is what it is, we have to go home and defend our home court. Do or die."

"We're just trying to figure out what we're doing and get it together," said Garnett. "We will, because we really have no choice. This is it."

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