NBA Playoffs- Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat
By Riebeil Durley-Petty
Eastern Conference #4 Boston Celtics vs #5 Miami Heat
#4 Boston Celtics 50-32, Head Coach Doc Rivers
The Boston Celtics enter the playoffs mired a horrific drudgery. After starting the season 23-5 Boston finished went 27-27 in their last 54 games. Almost everything about the Celtics impervious cache has all but disappeared. Last year Boston was a commanding 35-6 at The Garden. This season, opponents have seen Boston's home turf as a home away from home. Boston's foes won 17 of 41 games hosted the Celts spot. That time of Garden hospitality was unimaginable the last two years. Yet, adversaries habitually took the Celts cookies and made them look like intruders.
Boston was also uncharacteristically generous in the second half of games, particularly in 4th quarters where the 2008 NBA champions blew an NBA high 14 fourth quarter leads. Slapdash offensive play, languid ball movement, and inopportune giveaways have led to clatter of potential victories resulting in L's. Yet, despite all these deficiencies the beauty of the playoffs is that it gives teams an opportunity for atonement and resuscitation.
Boston has three sureshot hall of famers in Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, but Rajon Rondo (13.7 ppg, 9.8 dimes, 51 percent fg) has unequivocably been the Celts premier player all season. Rondo carried the momentum of last year's incredible playoff performance into this year. The fourth year player became an all-star avergaing an double-double and led The Show in pill jackings, snatching 2.3 steals a game. Rondo will need to get into the teeth of Miami's defense and wreak havoc in the paint, both scoring off his running one handers, floaters and setting up Allen adn Pierce for triples. Rondo will also try to get eay scoring opportunities for Garnett and Kendrick Perkins. The Celts must value possessions, get good ball movement and eliminate trademark offensive lulls.
Pierce and Allen have been two of the NBA best perimeter players for the last decade. After getting off to a hot start, Pierce has been saddled with injuries since midway through the year. Pierce led the team in scoring (18.3 ppg, 4.4 rebounds, 3.1 asst, 47 percent fg, 41 percent 3's) but the 2008 NBA Finals MVP noticeably labored at times and wasn't able to consistently take over games at crunch time as Pierce has customarily done.
Allen (16.2 ppg, 48 percent fg, 91.3 percent ft) has been the Celtics second best player. After going through a shooting slump leading up to the trade deadline Allen regained his Evian pure stroke when he found out he was remaining in Boston. "Ray Ray" averaged about 19 points per game following the trade deadline and picked up the scoring slack supplementing Pierce's lack of fourth quarter scoring. For the Celtics to win we'll have to see the reemergence of 'The Truth' with and prove conjecture he's lost a step is a lie. Pierce needs to aggressively attack the tin, get to the free throw line and drain his ether stepback jumper. Ray Ray will be called upon to supply the shooting rippin the cords form deep which will open up the paint for Rondo and Pierce. Both Allen and Pierce will need to stay close to Dwyane Wade, keep him from getting to the cup and make him shoot contested jumpers.
Boston's defensive backbone is Kevin Garnett. But missing 12 games with a bad knee that still hasn't recovered from last season, 'The Big Ticket' averaged 13.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and under a block and steal a game, all lows since his rookie year. KG still hasn't totally recooperated his explosiveness or capability to push off his knee, which has slowed his horizontal movement which was a vital part of his rapacious, doberman like help and recover defense. Boston will need KG to supply more scoring and for his effusive crunkness to permeate their blithe squad. Kendrick Perkins (10.1 ppg, 7.6 boards, 1.7 blocks, 60 percent fg) has been the defensive citadel for Boston. He's one of the best low post defenders and has been crucial in protecting the paint. Perk will need to be in positoin to rotate on Wade cause with Boston's once vaunted degenerative defense teh big man will probably be seeing alot of him.
Boston's bench of Rasheed Wallace, Nate Robinson, Tony Allen, Marquis Daniels and Glen Davis will need to be give the Celts a lift. Wallace in particular needs to be productive. Sheed's 9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 41 percent fg percentage and 29 percent three point perenctage are all career lows. Firing triples is ok, but Sheed needs to primarily focus on using his ill assortment of post moves and not be enamored with the three point line.
#5 Miami Heat, 47-35, Head Coach Erik Spoelstra
After hovering around the .500 mark for the majoity of the season the Miami Heat had a hardwood epiphany, underwent a dramatic crystallization. Miami enters the playoffs smoldering, having won 12 of their last 13 games to move up from number 8 to the 5 seed.
The NBA's younegest coach (39), Erik Spoelstra deserves major ups for helping direct the Heat's unexpected turnaround. However, the lion's majority of the credit can be ascribed to one superstar individual- Dwayne Wade.
The Free agent to be had another sensational year. Wade averged 26.6 points, 5 rebounds, 6.5 dishes, shot 48 percent from the floor and also registered 2 thefts and over a block an outing. The 2006 NBA Finals MVP carried the Heat during their torrid steak, elevating his game and receiving NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month in March for his efforts. The man Shaq dubbed 'Flash" has the can slice defenses like a piece of NY style cheesecake. Wade will try to take Allen off the bounce on isolations and alot of pick and roll scenarios at the top of the key with Jermaine O'Neal (13.6 ppg, 7 rebounds) and Michael Beasley (15.8 pts, 6.4 boards) either driving ferociously like a kamikaze for a boom over KG and Perk or kick it to O'Neal and Beasley who are both apt mid range jump shooters. Wade has no reservations about taking intermediate jumpers, but he would prefer getting in the paint.
Michael Beasly is really a conundrum. The #2 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft was tabbed by NBA scouts as a can't miss prospect with limitless all-star potential. However, Beasley's young career thus far has mirrored his bout with depression which was officially diagnosed last summer. His numbers, as does his playing time for lack of defensive intensity and attentiveness has fluctuated. Some games 'B-Easy' looks like a burgeoning hybrid set to blast off and become a superstar you can book for 20 and 10 a night. Other times Beasley looks lost on the floor, pensive if his shots aren't dropping. For the Heat to pull off the titanic stunner, Beasley has to be the double-double monster he's capable of being. B-Easy has to exhibit his athleticism, ill handles and quick first step to get to the rack or create separation for his step back jumper and swift post up moves to take advantage of the hobbled KG before he can react. It's imperative the former NCAA All-American has to relieve Wade of his cumbersome load. He's got to get down for his crown.
Jermaine O'Neal needs to win the battle of the pivot with Perk. O'Neal has to be a scoring threat. The former all-star center can't merely settle for pick and pop finesse jumpers. O'Neal has to be willing to get down in the trenches with Perk and bang and swang with the Celts imposing physical enforcer on the glass. He's also got to use his catalog of nice post moves to get establish an interior presence for the Heat to prevent them from becoming strictly perimeter oriented. Udonis Haslem (10 ppg, 8.1 boards) physicality, tough-minded defense and outside shooting will be pivotal for the Heat as well.
Coach Spoelstra made a difficult, but intelligent and necessary decision inserting Carlos Arroyo inot the starting lineup after Rafer Alston was suspended. Arroyo's numbers are moderate (6.1 ppg, 3.1 asst) but combined with second year point Mario Chalmers (7.1 pts, 3.4 asst) they been an adequate tandem. They'll need to try hard to minimize Rondo's penetration and playmaking skills. The Heat yielded the second lowest amount of pts (94.2) and field goal percentage (43.9) in the league. All hands will need to be on deck, including the great frontline convergence to keep Rondo from infiltrating Miami's borders.
Quenton Rcihardson (9 ppg, 5 rebounds, 40 percent 3's) overall game may have regressed from the power guard who made a living creamcaking smaller defenders easily with his yoked up sturdy frame, yanking boards and yamming on a nightly basis, but he's still a valuable trifecta bomber. Richardson will also need to play stoute defense on Pierce and not allow him to dominante games.
It's obligatory the Heat do not go in lengthy scoring famines. They have an ugly tendency to get tremendously stagnant offensively, have no ball movement and expect Wade to bail them out with 3 people encamping him as the shot clock expires. To prevent this from happening Miami needs swift ball movement and offensive motion to create space so the offense won't become congested. That will keep the Celtics from exclusively honing in on Wade and ultimately give him more autonomy to operate. Beasley's potentially dope rack raiding propensity will have to be on full display. Miami must eradicate perilious droughts or they'll get knocked the freak out.
Prediction
This is a match-up of two of the top five defenses in the league. With playoff intensity points should be at a premium for these defensive minded, offensive lull susceptible crews. The Heat will put up a valiant fight and push Boston in competitive contests, but in the end Miami's inability to generate points without Wade will do them in. Wade will have one enormous game to get Miami a win but the Celts will awaken from their disimpassoined slumber energized, focused, play stifling defense and extinguish the Heat in 5.
Eastern Conference #4 Boston Celtics vs #5 Miami Heat
#4 Boston Celtics 50-32, Head Coach Doc Rivers
The Boston Celtics enter the playoffs mired a horrific drudgery. After starting the season 23-5 Boston finished went 27-27 in their last 54 games. Almost everything about the Celtics impervious cache has all but disappeared. Last year Boston was a commanding 35-6 at The Garden. This season, opponents have seen Boston's home turf as a home away from home. Boston's foes won 17 of 41 games hosted the Celts spot. That time of Garden hospitality was unimaginable the last two years. Yet, adversaries habitually took the Celts cookies and made them look like intruders.
Boston was also uncharacteristically generous in the second half of games, particularly in 4th quarters where the 2008 NBA champions blew an NBA high 14 fourth quarter leads. Slapdash offensive play, languid ball movement, and inopportune giveaways have led to clatter of potential victories resulting in L's. Yet, despite all these deficiencies the beauty of the playoffs is that it gives teams an opportunity for atonement and resuscitation.
Boston has three sureshot hall of famers in Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, but Rajon Rondo (13.7 ppg, 9.8 dimes, 51 percent fg) has unequivocably been the Celts premier player all season. Rondo carried the momentum of last year's incredible playoff performance into this year. The fourth year player became an all-star avergaing an double-double and led The Show in pill jackings, snatching 2.3 steals a game. Rondo will need to get into the teeth of Miami's defense and wreak havoc in the paint, both scoring off his running one handers, floaters and setting up Allen adn Pierce for triples. Rondo will also try to get eay scoring opportunities for Garnett and Kendrick Perkins. The Celts must value possessions, get good ball movement and eliminate trademark offensive lulls.
Pierce and Allen have been two of the NBA best perimeter players for the last decade. After getting off to a hot start, Pierce has been saddled with injuries since midway through the year. Pierce led the team in scoring (18.3 ppg, 4.4 rebounds, 3.1 asst, 47 percent fg, 41 percent 3's) but the 2008 NBA Finals MVP noticeably labored at times and wasn't able to consistently take over games at crunch time as Pierce has customarily done.
Allen (16.2 ppg, 48 percent fg, 91.3 percent ft) has been the Celtics second best player. After going through a shooting slump leading up to the trade deadline Allen regained his Evian pure stroke when he found out he was remaining in Boston. "Ray Ray" averaged about 19 points per game following the trade deadline and picked up the scoring slack supplementing Pierce's lack of fourth quarter scoring. For the Celtics to win we'll have to see the reemergence of 'The Truth' with and prove conjecture he's lost a step is a lie. Pierce needs to aggressively attack the tin, get to the free throw line and drain his ether stepback jumper. Ray Ray will be called upon to supply the shooting rippin the cords form deep which will open up the paint for Rondo and Pierce. Both Allen and Pierce will need to stay close to Dwyane Wade, keep him from getting to the cup and make him shoot contested jumpers.
Boston's defensive backbone is Kevin Garnett. But missing 12 games with a bad knee that still hasn't recovered from last season, 'The Big Ticket' averaged 13.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and under a block and steal a game, all lows since his rookie year. KG still hasn't totally recooperated his explosiveness or capability to push off his knee, which has slowed his horizontal movement which was a vital part of his rapacious, doberman like help and recover defense. Boston will need KG to supply more scoring and for his effusive crunkness to permeate their blithe squad. Kendrick Perkins (10.1 ppg, 7.6 boards, 1.7 blocks, 60 percent fg) has been the defensive citadel for Boston. He's one of the best low post defenders and has been crucial in protecting the paint. Perk will need to be in positoin to rotate on Wade cause with Boston's once vaunted degenerative defense teh big man will probably be seeing alot of him.
Boston's bench of Rasheed Wallace, Nate Robinson, Tony Allen, Marquis Daniels and Glen Davis will need to be give the Celts a lift. Wallace in particular needs to be productive. Sheed's 9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 41 percent fg percentage and 29 percent three point perenctage are all career lows. Firing triples is ok, but Sheed needs to primarily focus on using his ill assortment of post moves and not be enamored with the three point line.
#5 Miami Heat, 47-35, Head Coach Erik Spoelstra
After hovering around the .500 mark for the majoity of the season the Miami Heat had a hardwood epiphany, underwent a dramatic crystallization. Miami enters the playoffs smoldering, having won 12 of their last 13 games to move up from number 8 to the 5 seed.
The NBA's younegest coach (39), Erik Spoelstra deserves major ups for helping direct the Heat's unexpected turnaround. However, the lion's majority of the credit can be ascribed to one superstar individual- Dwayne Wade.
The Free agent to be had another sensational year. Wade averged 26.6 points, 5 rebounds, 6.5 dishes, shot 48 percent from the floor and also registered 2 thefts and over a block an outing. The 2006 NBA Finals MVP carried the Heat during their torrid steak, elevating his game and receiving NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month in March for his efforts. The man Shaq dubbed 'Flash" has the can slice defenses like a piece of NY style cheesecake. Wade will try to take Allen off the bounce on isolations and alot of pick and roll scenarios at the top of the key with Jermaine O'Neal (13.6 ppg, 7 rebounds) and Michael Beasley (15.8 pts, 6.4 boards) either driving ferociously like a kamikaze for a boom over KG and Perk or kick it to O'Neal and Beasley who are both apt mid range jump shooters. Wade has no reservations about taking intermediate jumpers, but he would prefer getting in the paint.
Michael Beasly is really a conundrum. The #2 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft was tabbed by NBA scouts as a can't miss prospect with limitless all-star potential. However, Beasley's young career thus far has mirrored his bout with depression which was officially diagnosed last summer. His numbers, as does his playing time for lack of defensive intensity and attentiveness has fluctuated. Some games 'B-Easy' looks like a burgeoning hybrid set to blast off and become a superstar you can book for 20 and 10 a night. Other times Beasley looks lost on the floor, pensive if his shots aren't dropping. For the Heat to pull off the titanic stunner, Beasley has to be the double-double monster he's capable of being. B-Easy has to exhibit his athleticism, ill handles and quick first step to get to the rack or create separation for his step back jumper and swift post up moves to take advantage of the hobbled KG before he can react. It's imperative the former NCAA All-American has to relieve Wade of his cumbersome load. He's got to get down for his crown.
Jermaine O'Neal needs to win the battle of the pivot with Perk. O'Neal has to be a scoring threat. The former all-star center can't merely settle for pick and pop finesse jumpers. O'Neal has to be willing to get down in the trenches with Perk and bang and swang with the Celts imposing physical enforcer on the glass. He's also got to use his catalog of nice post moves to get establish an interior presence for the Heat to prevent them from becoming strictly perimeter oriented. Udonis Haslem (10 ppg, 8.1 boards) physicality, tough-minded defense and outside shooting will be pivotal for the Heat as well.
Coach Spoelstra made a difficult, but intelligent and necessary decision inserting Carlos Arroyo inot the starting lineup after Rafer Alston was suspended. Arroyo's numbers are moderate (6.1 ppg, 3.1 asst) but combined with second year point Mario Chalmers (7.1 pts, 3.4 asst) they been an adequate tandem. They'll need to try hard to minimize Rondo's penetration and playmaking skills. The Heat yielded the second lowest amount of pts (94.2) and field goal percentage (43.9) in the league. All hands will need to be on deck, including the great frontline convergence to keep Rondo from infiltrating Miami's borders.
Quenton Rcihardson (9 ppg, 5 rebounds, 40 percent 3's) overall game may have regressed from the power guard who made a living creamcaking smaller defenders easily with his yoked up sturdy frame, yanking boards and yamming on a nightly basis, but he's still a valuable trifecta bomber. Richardson will also need to play stoute defense on Pierce and not allow him to dominante games.
It's obligatory the Heat do not go in lengthy scoring famines. They have an ugly tendency to get tremendously stagnant offensively, have no ball movement and expect Wade to bail them out with 3 people encamping him as the shot clock expires. To prevent this from happening Miami needs swift ball movement and offensive motion to create space so the offense won't become congested. That will keep the Celtics from exclusively honing in on Wade and ultimately give him more autonomy to operate. Beasley's potentially dope rack raiding propensity will have to be on full display. Miami must eradicate perilious droughts or they'll get knocked the freak out.
Prediction
This is a match-up of two of the top five defenses in the league. With playoff intensity points should be at a premium for these defensive minded, offensive lull susceptible crews. The Heat will put up a valiant fight and push Boston in competitive contests, but in the end Miami's inability to generate points without Wade will do them in. Wade will have one enormous game to get Miami a win but the Celts will awaken from their disimpassoined slumber energized, focused, play stifling defense and extinguish the Heat in 5.
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