Here We Go Again? The Big 4 vs. The Big…. 2.
Celtics or Heat…Who will win the Western Conference Finals?
Check the jump for a preview of this series.
Game 1 is scheduled tonight on ESPN with a tip-off set for 8:30 pm (ET).
Win Or Go Home.
This series marks the fifth time in seven years that will feature the Boston Celtics or the Miami Heat in representation for the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. In 2010, the Celtics eliminated the Miami Heat led Dwayne Wade in the first round and then eliminated the LeBron James led Cleveland Cavaliers. The following year the two paired up in Miami and eliminated the Celtics in the 2nd-round of the 2011 playoffs. Before the playoffs started, not too many people expected to see this match-up featuring the last two Conference Finals champions; but an ACL injury later to the Bulls star PG and a defenseless fire extinguisher gave both teams motive to play harder in seizing an opportunity for another NBA finals bid. With Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls both having major injuries in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs, this match-up was inevitable to happen and the biggest one that the Eastern Conference could have. The Celtics feel this year is their last year with this current constructed team to win it all again. Many felt this was the case before the season started with a rejuvenated healthy Kevin Garnett and support system to lead the C’s back in the right direction. Season ending injuries to Avery Bradley and Jermaine O’Neal and nagging injuries to Paul Peirce and Ray Allen might hinder their quest back to the NBA’s Promised Land.
Fresh from their long 7 game series with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Boston Celtics arrived in Miami Sunday afternoon with no rest for game 1 of the Conference Finals scheduled for later on today. In the head to head match-ups this season, Boston got the edge over Miami winning 3 games to 1; but last year in the semifinals, the Heat defeated the Celtics in 5 games to advance. Upon arriving at South Beach, Boston’s coach Doc Rivers decided not to hold practice yesterday but instead would just hold a film session in preparations for game 1. Boston who’s no stranger to injuries faced tough adversary the past 3 seasons with Kevin Garnett missing the entire playoffs for 2009, Kendrick Perkins missing game 6 and 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals, and Shaq’s inability to get into game shape last year after the Kendrick Perkins trade. Miami isn’t a stranger either, as they are also without their third best player in Chris Bosh who’s been sidelined with from an abdominal strain. Sunday, Bosh partook in on-court drills in his first step to recovery from injury after 2 weeks of no action. Miami is going into this series with the mindset that Chris Bosh isn’t going to be available and keep focus on the court and not off the court. Both teams feel with the excess of injuries upon them, neither team should have an excuse if they lose this series. The series main attraction is LeBron James and Paul Pierce. Like Wade, Pierce is also playing through knee issues currently and will have his hands full as he has to guard the NBA’s MVP. The priority for Pierce should be to make James preoccupied on defense, to stop him from playing the passing lanes for steals and easy transition buckets. Boston is one of the best half court teams in the NBA, and will need their shots to fall if they want to win this series. If shots aren’t falling and his knees worsen from guarding LBJ, expect this series to be the last one with the big 4 assembled in Boston. With the loss of Avery Bradley, Ray Allen will have probably the toughest task on defense for the Celtics in guarding Dwayne Wade who’s been reborn in the playoffs the past 2 games as the old flash. Both Ray Allen and Mickael Pietrus will be needed in hitting their perimeter shots with the absence of Bradley. For Miami, Shane Battier, Mario Chalmers and Mike Miller will be very important as their shots will also need to fall as well with the lack of post presence and interior size on offense. If the series goes past 6 games without the return of Bosh, Battier could possibly be the most important person of Miami Heat as he would have to guard the power forward and still contribute on the offensive end. Battier had success last round in his defense against Pacers big, David West and hopes to have the same against Brandon Bass.
Predictions? The Celtics are averaging 88 points in the playoffs thus far, while James and Wade combined are averaging 53 points for Miami. In the final 3 games of last rounds playoffs against the Indian Pacers, LeBron and Wade alone out-dueled the Indy starting five 197 to 184. Scary Right? The biggest key to this series for Miami is having home court as during the season and playoffs so far, they’ve only lost a total of 6 games at American Airlines Arena. With the Celtics best perimeter defender Avery Bradley being out until next year due to surgery, Ray Allen’s ankle, the lack of interior size and lack of bench will be factors that could possibly hold them back from advancing to the Finals. Miami’s not in any better shape for the front court offensively as previously stated earlier with Bosh being out with no return date set, but with the way D-Wade and Bron are finally playing together in sync during the post season and added support from their bench should be enough for Miami to squeak by the Celtics. If Boston has a shot at winning this series, it’s going to be thru their point guard Rajon Rondo keeping the game pace slow and actually making shots when open if chambers or wade are playing him off in the perimeter. For Boston they have to execute in a half court set effectively making the Heat’s defense work then on the other side of the court making the Heat’s role others’ become scorers. If the series turns into a track meet with Miami getting out in the open floor scoring easy transaction buckets, expect this series to be short and sweet.
(2) Miami Heat vs. (4) Boston Celtics | Series Tied 0-0
Regular season series (Boston won 3-1)
Game 1: at MIA, Mon. May 28, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 2: at MIA, Wed. May 30, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 3: at BOS, Fri. June 1, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 4: at BOS, Sun. June 3, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 5: at MIA, Tue. June 5, 8:30 p.m., ESPN, (If Necessary)
Game 6: at BOS, Thu. June 7, 8:30 p.m., ESPN, (If Necessary)
Game 7: at MIA, Sat. June 9, 8:30 p.m., ESPN, (If Necessary)