NBA Playoffs 2012: Derrick Rose Injury Makes Celtics Team to Beat in the East

The injury to Derrick Rose may have seemed like the Miami Heat were given an automatic invite to the NBA Finals for most fans; however, the real winner was the Boston Celtics.

Currently, the Celtics are tied at one game a piece with the Atlanta Hawks and may have gotten some momentum and confidence after winning Game 2 without their star point guard Rajon Rondo.

Ray Allen has missed the first two games of the season, but may return as early as tonight. His addition off the bench is highly dangerous and makes teams focus on covering him and his shooting which could leave more open lanes for Rondo or more open looks for other players.

Heading back home, the Celtics should have no problems finishing the Hawks and moving on to the second round. That is where they will face either the Chicago Bulls or the Philadelphia Sixers– both teams the Celtics have an edge on.

The Bulls are like the Celtics with their tough defense. Offensively, Rose provided the spark that is no longer there. Rose's ability to drive to the lane and create havoc has been the key source for the Bulls' offense. Without him there, they have to rely heavily on their defense.

The Celtics are ranked fifth in the league in shooting percentage which gives them the advantage over the Bulls. Rondo should be able to run the fast break well against Chicago and create open looks for his shooters.

That still leaves the Miami Heat in their way for another trip to the finals. However, the Celtics have beaten the Heat the last two times these teams met. Both teams rested their starters in their last meeting, so that can't be taken into considerations. The time before that, the Celtics handled the Heat 91-72 as Rondo notched another triple double.

The lack of a point guard makes it hard for the Heat to matchup well against Boston because it allows Rondo to run the game at his own pace. His court vision is phenomenal, and is even more dangerous when Ray Allen is on the court due to his great three-point shooting.

The slow start to the Celtics season has put them under the radar, but it's time to look at them as a serious contender again. Injuries to Jermaine O'Neal, Chris Wilcox and Jeff Green crippled the team's chemistry throughout the season as it continually altered their lineup. But now the team has regained its chemistry and Rondo is having an MVP season.

Now with Rose out for the season, the Heat have been deemed best team in the East. However, the Celtics matchup better against Miami and will take them down if they meet in the Conference Finals.