MIAMI -- On the eve of an elimination game that could potentially oust the Boston Celtics from the postseason, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade cited the reigning Eastern Conference champions as an inspiration for joining forces in Miami.

"They set the blueprint for us when they decided to make the trade for [Kevin Garnett] and for Ray [Allen]," James said. "Seeing guys make sacrifices to come together and play as one. They set the blueprint and went out there and did it. They won a championship. They competed every year."