Heat sleepwalk through Sixers series; that won't work against Celtics

MIAMI – It’s obvious how the Celtics will beat the Heat. Show up dressed as the 76ers.

Something about Philadelphia turned the Heat into insufferable zombies. TERA Gold It was all LeBron James could do not to fall asleep while dribbling on Wednesday night.

The Heat stifled their yawns long enough to beat the 76ers, 97-91, and end their series in five games. Then they praised Philadelphia and vowed to have their minds right when Boston comes to town Sunday.

Surely that will be the case. Nothing against the 76ers, but the first-round series was the NBA equivalent of Barack Obama’s birth certificate controversy.

Everybody (except Birthers, who claim LeBron James is Rosemary’s Baby) just wanted to get it over with and move on to bigger things.

“We do not have time for this kind of silliness,” Obama said. “We’ve got better stuff to do. I’ve got better stuff to do.”

Chris Bosh and Miami got through Philadelphia in five games. (AP photo)OK, he was actually talking about releasing his birth certificate. Though the First Hoopster is no doubt relishing the Boston series a bit more than another exhibition of Philadelphia spunkiness.

It’ll be the Battle of the Big Threes. RIFT Platinum The return of Shaq. LeBron’s Vindication. Or LeBron’s Humiliation.

“I think that matchup is one all fans will enjoy,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Players on both sides look forward to it.”

Players on Miami’s side were just looking forward to ending Round One. If you’re looking for a flaw that Philadelphia exposed, it’s that the Heat can be painfully cocky.

Before Wednesday’s game, James said ending the series would be like “finishing our breakfast.” Instead, they went out and threw up all over themselves.

Miami trailed 16-5 after five minutes. rift gold It was the fourth game this series in which Philadelphia jumped to a double-digit first-quarter lead.

James and Dwyane Wade had an explanation. They are the type of players who let the game come to them. That’s a nice way of saying they start out in cruise control.

“Throughout me and D-Wade’s career,” James said, “we have always kind of felt out the game and go from there.”

No wonder Miami crowds are notorious for arriving late and acting comatose. James vowed to infuse his teammates with a sense of urgency Wednesday. RIFT Platinum They responded by making two of their first eight shots and committing four early turnovers.

Yawns happen when you’ve beaten a team 10 out of 11 times.

“People say we weren’t ready,” Spoelstra said. “That’s an absolute discredit to the Philadelphia 76ers.”

He was half-right. Doug Collins & Co. Rift Gold certainly deserve praise for not playing the role of tomato can. The 76ers not only jumped to a lead Wednesday, they had a chance to tie the game in the final minute