Ailing Celtics get needed break vs. Heat (AP)

MIAMI (AP)—Paul Pierce(notes) said it hurt to walk. Rajon Rondo(notes) is fighting back pain. Ray Allen(notes) had trouble breathing.

This break in the Eastern Conference semifinals could not come at a better time for the Boston Celtics.

Both the Celtics and Miami took Wednesday off, a day after the Heat opened a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven with a 101-92 victory that left the defending East champions limping back home.

The series won’t resume until Saturday night in Boston.

Dwyane Wade(notes) says the long gap between games clearly helps the Celtics more than the Heat. But Chris Bosh(notes) adds that Miami can use some rest as well, saying he’ll spend some of the downtime “breaking a mental sweat.”