NBA Playoffs 2014, Bobcats at Heat final score: LeBron leads Miami to Game 1 win over Charlotte, 99-88

Apr 20, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) reacts after being fouled by Charlotte Bobcats center Al Jefferson (25) during the first half in game one during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

The Miami Heat began the defense of their NBA Championship on Easter Sunday as they welcomed in the Charlotte Bobcats to the American Airlines Arena for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Playoffs showdown. When it was all said and done in this one, the Heat and LeBron James were too much as they inched a step closer to a third consecutive NBA title with an easy 99-88 win.

Early on in this one, it appeared that this young Bobcats team showed up to give the Heat a run, taking a 23-19 lead into the second quarter. From that point on, though, it was all Heat as they had a monstrous second quarter, outscoring Charlotte 30-19 and never looking back from there.

Once again, it was King James leading the way in this one for the champs, finishing up with 27 points and nine rebounds, while Dwyane Wade added in 21 points and five assists in the victory.

Al Jefferson, who was the most productive Bobcats player in the loss with 18 points and 10 rebounds, and this Charlotte team will now look to gather themselves together, shake this defeat, and get ready for Game 2 against the Heat on Wednesday night in Miami.

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