#5 - 2010 Regular Season October 26 - Boston Celtics (A)

#5 - 2010 Regular Season October 26 - Boston Celtics (A)

Miami Heat 80, Boston Celtics 86

This is the only loss to make the list. Many Heat losses were great games. For the neutral, they were probably the best of all. It’s a key part of what made the Heat such an exciting team, and what made the victories more sweet. Notable losses that come to mind include the streak-ender in Chicago, game 2 of the NBA Finals in 2011 against the Mavericks, and game 1 of the 2014 finals against the spurs. But none of them are particularly fond memories for Heat fans.

If Heat fans were to willingly revisit any loss, it might be this one. And, ridiculous as it seem, this one was potentially the biggest game of them all. The hype surrounding the Heat in the offseason leading up to opening day was unprecedented. And the criticism intense. People didn’t know what to expect. Many thought they would destroy the league. Many wished they wouldn’t. None more so than the Celtics, who had formed their own big 3 a few seasons earlier. So it was the perfect environment to unveil this Heat team to the world.

And the world got what they wanted. The heat looked like a bunch of stars thrown together for the first time. Their game was plagued by turnovers and disorganisation, while the Celtics looked like a well-oiled machine. Boston jumped out to an commanding lead early, but the Heat would storm back, triggered by a change to a LeBron driven/Cavaliers-like system. 

Opening night, as  it often would be, was about LeBron more than anybody else. In more ways than one. He was the one who switched teams. He was the one who had always drawn the eyes of nba journalists and fans. He was the one who would draw the most boos. He would lead Miami from the start, but not always in the first season. He would be the unquestioned king by the time he left.

Even at this early stage, there were a few flashes of the brilliance that was to come. The Heat never went down without a fight, even though they faced more battles than any other over the four years. Every road arena would feel like a playoff game in that first year. Everyone banded together, demanding that they be crushed under the collective weight of all who opposed what they stood for. But they would not. Even in defeat, like in Boston on opening day, they would rise again. The start for the big 3 was tumultuous: the first season, the first few games (9-8 start), and in the first game itself. But it was essential in building the character of the champion that would emerge. 

The reasons:

• Hype + Intrigue + the Unknown. Not much tops this game on those three categories.
• Wade hit a 3 at the end and LeBron followed it up with a drive and layup to cut the lead to 3. the potential of this side when all three were clicking was in full display. But Ray hit a 3 for the Celtics to kill the game. The Heat would make sure that wouldn’t continue to haunt them into the future. 
• Every play was scrutinised by the people watching at home. LeBron’s first field goal. LeBron’s first dunk on the break. LeBron’s 3^rd quarter. The furious comeback and Wade turning up in the 4^th. Wade had hardly played in the pre season, so this was the first time we were seeing how this experiment would work. 
• There would be a few specific hints of things to come. The heat’s slow starts and offensive troubles, particularly in that first season. Wade’s potential to misfire. LeBron being the batman. The Heat’s ability to go on runs, turn on the switch. The fast break potential of the Heat. And the vicious throw downs. Also, the LeBron booing, the hostile environment, and the realisation that this wouldn’t be so easy.
• The nostalgic value of seeing where all of this started, armed with the knowledge of what was to come