From here on out, it’s the Heat vs. the NBA. Everyone wants to be the team that ends the Heat’s winning streak.
“Teams want to beat us more and more,” Dwyane Wade said. “They’re tired of hearing about it on ESPN. They want to watch ESPN like everyone else. They’re tired of hearing the Heat.”
Or, if you’re Paul Pierce, you just want the Heat to lose period.
Pierce was asked about the Heat’s streak on Friday morning and quipped, “I really don’t even care. I hope they lose every game the rest of the season.”
The Celtics host the Heat on Monday at TD Garden. If the Heat’s streak survives Friday night's game in Milwaukee and Sunday’s game against Toronto, then chances are Pierce’s comments will be used as a source of motivation inside the Heat’s locker room.
Of course, it’s not like the Heat needs any more motivation against Pierce and the Celtics. Upon defeating the Heat in Miami back in 2011, Pierce took a shot at the newly formed super team on Twitter with some unforgettable trash talk.
“It’s been a pleasure bringing my talents to South Beach,” Pierce wrote.
Udonis Haslem responded to the dig by calling Pierce a “studio gangster.” Since then, the rivalry has only gotten better. The Heat knocked the Celtics out of the playoffs in 2011 and 2012 and former Celtics star Ray Allen joined the Heat last summer.
Wade shrugged off Pierce’s comments on Monday and agreed with Boston’s star. “He should” want the Heat to lose, Wade said.
“Why would he want us to win?” Wade asked. “I understand, you know. So, I would feel the same way.”
The Heat’s victory against the Sixers, win No.20 in the winning streak, moved Miami one game ahead of Pierce’s 2008-09 Celtics in the record books. That team won 19 consecutive games and, before the Heat came along, held the NBA record for most consecutive wins by a defending champion.
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