On the Eastern Conference side of the NBA, we have the Boston Celtics facing-off against the Miami Heat.Their series begins this Memorial day. For the past couple of seasons, we have seen a rivalry emerge between the two teams, especially since Miami Heat superstars Lebron James and Dwyane Wade were both eliminated by the Celtics two seasons ago with their respective teams (James with the Cavaliers, Wade with Heat) and with the dynamic duo eliminating the Celtics last post-season. We will go over the keys for both teams to win the series and in the end discuss who will go on ahead to the NBA Finals to face either the OKC Thunder or San Antonio Spurs.
For the Celtics, this season has been a rough patch for them. Two of their three big acquisitions (Paul Pierce and Ray Allen) have been battling injuries throughout the playoffs, but have managed with the help of Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett and their bench filled with veteran/experienced players. But, for the Celtics to be successful the lineup of PG Rondo, SG Allen, SF Pierce, PF Bass and C KG are going to have to give it their all if they hope to succeed. The task of taking down the three-headed monster in Miami is no easy one as the Celtics can recall last post-season.
Rondo has to be a fearless leader on the court. He needs to definitely step-up and show that he is the captain of the ship and be a superstar in his own way. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen need to do what they have done their whole careers and that is get to the lane with easy penetrations, and shoot lights out from the floor while setting up base at the free throw line. Brandon Bass needs to play as he has all post-season, he needs to remain aggressive and not be afraid of the Heat's big men Haslem and Anthony.
The key to the Celtics winning the series is in the hands of their big man, Kevin Garnett. He has great intensity and leadership out on the court. Lets not forget the game he had during the Atlanta Hawks series where the GM talked trash about KG, calling him a dirty player. He needs to bring the positive energy into this series if the Celtics have a chance of staying alive, with no hyped-up KG, then it is goodbye to the Celtics, and the front office could look at possibly disassembling the Boston 3 party.
On the Miami Heat side, there is not really much to say that fans expect from their team. Lebron and Wade, without Chris Bosh who is possibly still out due to an abdominal strain, need to carry the team as they have done throughout the post-season. Lebron needs to give it all he has all four quarters, and Flash (Wade) needs to be fearless and clutch during the series. If these two can keep up the pace they had during the Indiana Pacers series, then the Celtics are going to have a hard time defending. Along with their supporting cast in Chalmers, Haslem, Anthony and their bench players of Battier, Miller, Cole and Jones, who can take the load off if they play great, can help send the Heat back to the finals.
This series can go as long as the Celtics want it to, they control the series. The Heat are the shoe-in team to win and head to the finals. If they Celtics can play their style of basketball, control the tempo, reduce turnovers and stop fast-breaks then along with the play of KG can win in six games. Taking the series will be the Heat in five games, even though the underdogs and most of the basketball world would choose for the Celtics to win.
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