NBA Playoffs 2014 Bracket, Schedule & Scores: Heat Pushes Past Bobcats in Game One

Miami Heat won over the Charlotte Bobcats on April 21, 2014 with a final score of 99-88 in Game 1 of the first round series of the Eastern Conference Playoffs, writes ESPN. Their recent victory makes it the 17th consecutive time that Miami won against Charlotte. Although the Heat had a slow start, stars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade gained momentum during the second half while James Jones hit dagger shots until the end.

James scored a team-high 27 points while Wade scored 23 points. For the Charlotte Bobcats, Kemba Walker scored 20 points, while Al Jefferson scored 18 points and had 10 rebounds, even after suffering a strained foot sole during the first quarter. He had to be injected to finish the game. Jefferson was wearing a walking boot after the game and the team expects him to be in full condition come Game 2 on April 23, 2014. Gary Neal also scored 17 points while Josh McRobets scored 15 points but their efforts were short, according to ABC News.

It seems that Miami Heat also had a lot to thank the referees for. They shot 26 free throws while the Bobcats only shot 12. Charlotte had 15 turnovers that converted into 20 points in favor of the Heat. Miami also had an 18-4 run during the fourth quarter.

Wade, who is also coming off an injury, seems to be back in his usual all-star self. Wade hit a three-point shot to give Miami a 15-point lead in the last quarter. LeBron commented that Wade is in attack mode and shot 10 for 16. He said, "Anytime D-Wade is getting and playing above the rim, you know he's feeling good," writes the Miami Herald.

Other contributors for the Heat include Chris Bosh, who scored 13 points. James Jones scored 12 points and hit 4 of 16 from the field. Jones shot 2 for 3 from the three-point arc.