Miami Heat Suffer Worst Loss Of Season, Boston Wins 91-72

(SB Nation, Andy Hutchins) The Boston Celtics took the Miami Heat to the woodshed on Sunday, getting an 91-72 victory that may not have been as close as the final margin indicates.

Rajon Rondo recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds, and Paul Pierce tied LeBron James with a game-high 23 points. All five Boston starters ended up in double figures, and the Celtics pulled away in with a roundhouse of a third quarter in which they outscored the Heat 31-12.

The Heat notched their lowest point total of the season and their most lopsided loss, shot just 34.8 percent from the floor and gave James and Dwyane Wade -- both off their peak forms, combining for just 38 points on 17-of-37 shooting -- virtually no help, with Miami's other three starters combining for just six points.

The Heat are still well ahead of the Orlando Magic for the second seed in the Eastern Conference, but with the Bulls' loss to the Thunder today, this was a prime chance for Miami to gain ground on Chicago. And Miami's road woes -- 12 of its 14 losses have come away from South Florida -- may be a source of concern for LeBron and company.