MIAMI (AP) — It’s easy to see why LeBron James decided he needed more firepower.
His 45-point showing in Game 7 against Boston in 2008 was not enough to win. Same with his triple-double in the last game of their 2010 series. So, largely from those defeats, came his move from Cleveland to join Dwyane Wade and chase championships in Miami.
James will meet the Celtics again in the Eastern Conference semifinals, which open Sunday. He’s seeking a breakthrough, and he’s not alone. Of the 15 players on Miami’s roster, nine have lost postseason series to the Celtics. Only one players has been part of a playoff win over Boston.
The Celtics expect nothing less than a super-motivated James. Celtics forward Paul Pierce notes, “it would be personal for me.”
