Breaking Down Heat-Celtics: Miami Keys To The Game

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Tipoff: 7:30 p.m. EST

Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA

TV/Radio: TNT, ESPN Radio

Spread: Miami by 2

Miami Starters

G – Carlos Arroyo
G – Dwyane Wade
F – LeBron James
F – Chris Bosh
C – Joel Anthony

Heat inactives: Jerry Stackhouse, Dexter Pittman, Mike Miller

Boston Starters

G – Rajon Rondo
G – Ray Allen
F – Paul Pierce
F – Kevin Garnett
C – Shaquille O’Neal

Keys to the game

1. Keep Rondo out of the lane. Rondo is at his best when he’s attacking the basket, putting pressure on the opposition’s help defense. Meanwhile, he’s a career 24 percent shooter from three. They have to keep him on the outside where he can’t hurt them.
2. Attack the rim. It has been difficult keeping Wade and James away from the basket in the past. Now that they’re on the same team, it’s going to be impossible. What are they going to do, double both? Expect the Celtics’ bigs to use those fouls early and often. This is going to be a physical one.
3. Run, run, run. The only Celtic who wouldn’t mind running is Rondo. You think Garnett wants to chase Bosh up and down the court on two weathered knees? Wade and James are at their best in the open court. How can anyone stop a break with those two at full speed?
4. Hit the boards. The Celtics got much bigger in the offseason with the arrival of the O’Neals. Miami will be undersized at the center position for a good chunk of the game, and it’s important for the guards to help on the boards because you know the Shaqtus isn’t chasing down any loose balls.

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