MIAMI, May 3 (Reuters) - LeBron James and Dwyane Wade missed out on the NBA's Most Valuable Player award on Tuesday but served up a reminder of their quality as the Miami Heat beat the Boston Celtics 102-91 to go 2-0 up in their Eastern Conference playoff series.
James was at his devastating best, scoring 35 points with seven rebounds and two assists while Wade made 28 points as the Heat sent out another strong message that they are serious championship contenders.
"No question, they were terrific and used every bit of their talent tonight to help us win," said Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra.
"Particularly on the offensive end when we needed a bucket and their defense started to turn up -- every time they did, we had some kind of emotional basket from one of the two of them -- a dunk, a big play, a three-point play or driving to the rim to get fouled.
"LeBron was physically, mentally and emotionally tough for us and that set the tone for everybody."
Celtics coach Doc Rivers had a simple answer when asked what it was like when James and Wade play so relentlessly.
"It's 2-0, that's what it's like," he said.
"They are playing very well, they have proven they can do this, they are going to get points, I believed that going into this series.
"But they can't be so efficient getting them and that's on us. They are getting to the line and that right now is hurting us as much as anything."
The MVP voting panel opted for the Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose ahead of James, who finished third, with just four first place votes, after winning the last two years. Wade finished seventh.
"We don't really play this game for individual awards -- he has two MVP trophies and I have a finals MVP trophy, but our body of work speaks for itself," said Wade.
"What we have done, in this game, speaks for itself, it just so happens that a lot of people like to throw guys in front of us -- but that's fine, we are going to continue to be the guys we are and the players we are and let them talk about it."
James said he was finding the playoffs with the Heat to be a very different experience than his attempts with Cleveland where he was the undisputed leader of the team -- including last year's loss to the Celtics.
"Just having options on court takes a lot off myself. In the past, I knew that if didn't bring my A plus game there was a good chance we don't win that game.
"That's not taking anything away from my previous team-mates, who worked hard every day to try to be really good.
"But just having guys out on the court that take over the game when you are not having so great a game -- it takes a load off you.
"That is the vision that I had during the free agent period when I decided to come here -- its all coming together at the right time."
James was at his devastating best, scoring 35 points with seven rebounds and two assists while Wade made 28 points as the Heat sent out another strong message that they are serious championship contenders.
"No question, they were terrific and used every bit of their talent tonight to help us win," said Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra.
"Particularly on the offensive end when we needed a bucket and their defense started to turn up -- every time they did, we had some kind of emotional basket from one of the two of them -- a dunk, a big play, a three-point play or driving to the rim to get fouled.
"LeBron was physically, mentally and emotionally tough for us and that set the tone for everybody."
Celtics coach Doc Rivers had a simple answer when asked what it was like when James and Wade play so relentlessly.
"It's 2-0, that's what it's like," he said.
"They are playing very well, they have proven they can do this, they are going to get points, I believed that going into this series.
"But they can't be so efficient getting them and that's on us. They are getting to the line and that right now is hurting us as much as anything."
The MVP voting panel opted for the Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose ahead of James, who finished third, with just four first place votes, after winning the last two years. Wade finished seventh.
"We don't really play this game for individual awards -- he has two MVP trophies and I have a finals MVP trophy, but our body of work speaks for itself," said Wade.
"What we have done, in this game, speaks for itself, it just so happens that a lot of people like to throw guys in front of us -- but that's fine, we are going to continue to be the guys we are and the players we are and let them talk about it."
James said he was finding the playoffs with the Heat to be a very different experience than his attempts with Cleveland where he was the undisputed leader of the team -- including last year's loss to the Celtics.
"Just having options on court takes a lot off myself. In the past, I knew that if didn't bring my A plus game there was a good chance we don't win that game.
"That's not taking anything away from my previous team-mates, who worked hard every day to try to be really good.
"But just having guys out on the court that take over the game when you are not having so great a game -- it takes a load off you.
"That is the vision that I had during the free agent period when I decided to come here -- its all coming together at the right time."
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