NBA Playoffs 2012: 4 Keys to the Boston Celtics Getting Back in the Series

While some may believe the Boston Celtics must undergo whole changes in their game plan to get back in the series, I believe just a few tweaks here and there, such as playing time and late-game strategy, could do the trick.

Being down two games to none might seem like a death penalty—only 14 teams have ever come back from 2-0 to win a series—but this veteran Boston bunch may very well pull off the improbable.  

Whether or not they achieve this tremendous feat will be determined by the slight changes in strategy implemented by Doc Rivers.  

Their changes, as well as what they don't change, could essentially determine who represents the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.

Check out my four keys essential to the Celtics getting back into this series.      

Bench Play Must Improve

The Celtics' bench has been thoroughly outplayed in this series by the Miami Heat reserves.

The trio of Mickael Pietrus, Greg Stiemsma and Keyon Dooling must step up if Boston wants to make it to the finals.  

In Game 1, the bench scoring was essentially even; Game 2 is when Boston's reserves really got defeated.  

They had just seven combined points in a combined 48 minutes compared to Miami's 25 bench points.

The C's bench must improve in all facets of the game, not just scoring.  They have given little energy when they come into the game—something bench players should always thrive to do.

This puts Doc Rivers in a tough spot because he wants to limit the minutes of his older players, but can't afford to take them out of games if the role players do not perform.

It will be interesting to see if Doc continues to show confidence in the three players he continues to bring off the bench.   

In past years, Boston could rely on their Big Three to carry them to victories.  Today, while they are still a key to the Celtics' success, help from the role players is absolutely necessary if they are going to win.

Play Big

Having three-point shooters on the floor is essential to the success of the Miami Heat.  They like to isolate LeBron James or Dwyane Wade and let them either finish at the basket or drive and kick to the open shooter.  

The Heat's starting lineup features Shane Battier, a proficient three-point-shooter at the power forward position.  And since the Celtics start Brandon Bass at the 4, Battier has held his own. 

While I wouldn't change the starting lineup, I would give Miami a heavy dose of Greg Stiemsma, the 6'11'', 260-pound big man.  

A lineup that includes Stiemsma and Kevin Garnett playing power forward rather than center will force Miami to play two of their bigs simultaneously—as Battier would not be able to stop KG on the low block.  

Removing Battier from the lineup would tremendously condense the floor for the Miami offense, making it much easier for Boston to help and rotate on defense—something they're tremendously efficient at.

Continue to Feed Ray Allen

While he is a combined 6-for-19 in the series and 3-for-9 from behind the arc, Ray Allen needs to continue to get a significant amount of shots.  The 36-year-old is still one of the best shooters in the league and can catch fire in a heartbeat. 

Perhaps his big three-point-shot to send Game 2 into overtime will spark the player who has the most three-pointers in NBA history.  

He's vital to Boston's success mainly due to their lack of shooters outside of Allen.

Rajon Rondo is not known for his consistent shooting, neither is Mickael Pietrus or Keyon Dooling.  And while Paul Pierce can knock down his fair share of outside shots, he's not nearly as proficient as Allen.  

If the Celtics want to have any chance at getting back into this series, they shouldn't shy away from getting Ray Allen at least 12 per game.  

The 16-year veteran has proven himself in big spots before and will continue to do so, assuming he gets the opportunity.   

Let Paul Pierce Take Control Late

Paul Pierce has been one of the most clutch scorers in the NBA over the past decade.  The Celtics, and Pierce himself, need to recognize this and put the ball in his hands when the game is tight down the stretch.

Why they haven't done so in this series baffles me.  

It's not as if LeBron James has been guarding Pierce, he's busy covering Rajon Rondo.  

In Game 2, Udonis Haslem was guarding Pierce in much of the fourth quarter.  I understand Pierce fouled out late in the game, but that was with under a minute left to play in regulation. 

What happened in the other 11 minutes Haslem was covering Pierce?  The All-Star forward took just three shots.  Only three!  

Obviously, Rondo's career game prompted Doc Rivers to keep the ball in his hands, but the Celtics are at their best when Rondo is a distributor first.  

And in that fourth quarter, Rondo should have distributed a little more to Pierce who, let me reiterate, was being guarded by Udonis Haslem.  

Haslem's a capable defender, but not against an elite wing scorer such as Pierce.

Look for Pierce to have big fourth quarters in the upcoming games.  If he doesn't, the Celtics might as well stop playing now.