Game 3 Preview: What Boston Should Do to Win

Contrary to what some pundits claim, the Boston Celtics might have enough magic to even the series at two games apiece or, at the very least, win Game 3. The road to an 18th championship for the parquet posse picks up again on Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET for Game 3.

Here are a few reasons why the NBA should hold off on printing Eastern Conference Championship gear for the Heat, in addition to what Boston needs to do make sure the series comes back to the Garden for a Game 6.

Remember That All Miami Did Was Win at Home

All Miami did was hold home court. They did what they were supposed to do.

I know after each game unnecessary stats are splurged out like "The winner of Game 3 goes on to win __  percent of the time." But what needs to be understood is that each series is different. Even though Philadelphia Warriors and St. Louis Hawks may have slugged out a series in 1964, it has no bearing on what's going to happen tomorrow

Look no further than the Bulls-76ers series from the first round. You could count on one hand how many times a No. 8 seed knocked off a No. 1. Yes, Derrick Rose was injured and Luol Deng was not 100 percent, but that goes to show that just because a team is down, does not mean history will always repeat itself.

Moreover, before everyone starts chiseling out an epitaph on Celtics' Big 3 and punching Miami's ticket, let's review for a moment who these men in green are.

Losing a game so close to a more athletic team undoubtedly hurts, but the fact they were close is a great thing to take with them back home. These are the Boston Celtics, and there is something to be said about the term "Celtic Pride."

Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce are some of most dignified NBA players today, and there is no chance they will allow a sweep on their home floor be the last image we see of the three of them together.

At this stage of playoff basketball, I am sure you have seen some of those "A champion will be crowned" commercials with cut shots of various legends of lore. Sometimes at the end of the day, you just have to want it more.

C's Should Be Encouraged by Effort in Game 2

Much talk has been made about whether the geriatric Celtics will have enough gas in the tank after such a heartbreaking loss on one's day rest. These are the same folks that would say "____ are a young, team how will they bounce back?"

Even though the Celtics lost Game 2, they should feel encouraged that they pushed the Heat to within one point of a victory after being knocked out in Game 1. Additionally, Ray Allen proved that he can still move and hit huge shots, and Rondo showed some blind NBA fans that he can indeed shoot.

Some say it is easier to come back from a blowout loss than a narrow defeat. I understand those sentiments, but one must keep in mind that these Celtics played with a severely injured Ray Allen and a Paul Pierce who was dogged by foul trouble. This is all in addition to a team that is playing without Avery Bradley, who would've relieved Rondo from playing all 53 minutes en route to a historic performance in Game 2.

Bradley and the recently released Jermaine O'Neal, Jeff Green and Chris Wilcox—the latter two due to heart defects—are players who could have provided extra size for the bump and grind game against the Heat.

But the silver lining is the Big 3 is composed of NBA champions who know how to react to certain situations. There is virtually nothing they have not seen, so being down 0-2 headed home should not carry  a death sentence.

Fouls

I know it sounds like a foolish statement but hear me out.

The myriad of technical fouls in Game 1 and the no-call late on Rondo in Game 2 were certainly subjects of controversy, but as Allen said, "I'll say it; he did. But what can you do about it?" This is the right attitude because alienating referees would be disastrous for a team that could use all the help it can get.

Paul Pierce, along with other key Celtics like Mickael Pietrus, should not be in a position of foul trouble. Sending LeBron to the line 24 times will not help the C's win games, especially when their entire team gets only 29 shots from the stripe. Not only does foul trouble take away from the defensive aggressiveness, but it could also leave players riding the pine in key moments. Boston could have really used Pierce in overtime, but due to him fouling out, had to instead had to lean on Rondo to deliver every single point in the extra period.

Greg Stiemsma should also never get four personal fouls in one quarter. Although he is not a valuable player, his fouls add up and can put the team in the penalty.

Start Taking Care of Things They Can Control

It remains to be seen whether or not the Miami Heat reserves truly are the real deal. Yes, they have silenced a lot of critics, but if Boston is to win this series, it has to start with controlling the role players.

There is simply no way a team will stop LeBron James and Dwyane Wade from getting theirs. Just take a peek at the box score from tonight's game for further clarification. The dynamic duo needed 35 free throws to get their combined 57 points with no field goals in the fourth quarter. The Celtics did a wonderful job blocking the lanes and playing tough hard-nosed defense, but the Bron-Bron and D-Wade's shots will find a way to get in the bucket.

Extinguish the rest of the Heat

What can be stopped is the—pardon the pun—heat from the role players. Udonis Haslem and Mario Chalmers are world class athletes and some of the best basketball players on the planet. What is not acceptable is when someone like Chalmers outscores Pierce, Garnett, and Allen in a crucial game. 

Hold ground in the circle of fire

Rebounding is also an area that needs to be focused on. Although Miami only managed to grab 13 offensive boards, they grabbed most of the vital ones like at the end of regulation when LeBron was gifted another chance to be the hero. Brandon Bass needs to embrace his role and do the dirty work, but he cannot be the only person on the team to be in double figures. In fact, in the third quarter, Haslem had more rebounds than the entire Celtic team.

Rondo can't be a super leprechaun again

If the Celtics are going to win the game, they cannot rely on Rajon Rondo to perform the way he did and deliver a pot of gold again. Playing 53 minutes and venturing into uncharted territory of 44 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists is something that will never happen again this series because Miami will simply force Rondo to play more like the pass-first point guard we are accustomed to.

The Bottom Line

If Boston wants to win Game 3 and give the Big 3 one final hurrah, these things should be cleaned up. We'll find out on Friday if they are indeed ready to prove the naysayers wrong one more time.

Boston's pride will force them come out with a lot of energy and get Kevin Garnett started early. Miami will force Rondo will have one of his usual 12/12/19 type games, but the Celtics should win this one comfortably because the South Beach supporting cast will not show up as they did in Games 1 and 2.

Game 4 will be the one Miami really goes after, but if Boston can defend their turf the series becomes a best-of-three and your guess will be as good as mine to see who goes on the NBA Finals.