2011 NBA Playoffs: Breaking Down the Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Series
After 87 games (86 for the Celtics), we've finally arrived right back where we started.
You guys remember that night, right?
Back on that late October Tuesday night, the Heat were schooled by the Boston Celtics. Flat out. There's no other way to describe the methodical thrashing laid on the Heat that night. It was clear Boston was the savvy senior simply reminding the new, highly-touted freshman they were the team to beat.
Well, things have changed. The Miami Heat have finally grown into a team, as evidenced by their ability to rotate the basketball and trust one another.
The Celtics, despite the loss of mainstay Kendrick Perkins, have remained resilient and are playing some of their best basketball of the season.
Let's take a look at how the two star-studed squads match up, position by position.
Point Guard: Rajon Rondo vs. Mike Bibby/Mario Chalmers
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Regardless who Miami decides to start at the point, the All-Star Rondo wins the matchup pretty handily.
Chalmers is coming off a magnificent Game 5 performance against the Philadelphia 76ers, scoring 20 points in 31 minutes of action. The Heat could thoroughly use his 6-of-12 from beyond the arc in this series.
Bibby has struggled thus far in the playoffs, due in large part to the up-and-down pace presented by the Sixers. Expect Bibby to play more quality minutes in this series, as his three-point shooting will be counted on as well.
As said before, despite who the Heat choose to play, Rondo will indefinitely have the edge. Rondo struggled to end the season, but came on huge for the Celtics in their first-round series with the New York Knicks.
Expect this matchup to be decided not by how much either point guard scores, but how effectively Chalmers or Bibby can limit Rondo's distribution and facilitation of the basketball.
EDGE: CELTICS
Shooting Guard: Dwyane Wade vs. Ray Allen
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Wow. Talk about a a heck of a matchup.
Wade has struggled against the Celtics this year, but he is regarded as one of the best at his position. He has proven his worth in recent playoff performances, as well the 2006 Finals when he was the MVP.
Allen, on the other hand, is about as steady as they come. He simply knocks down open looks and is counted on in late-game situations. He also brings a wealth of knowledge and competitive fire to the table, something that makes him even more valuable to the Celtics.
Unfortunately, both players seem to cancel each other out statistically, despite Wade being the better distributor. But, Allen's ability to come up with those big-time shots late in games gives him the edge here.
EDGE: CELTICS (SLIGHTLY)
Small Forward: Paul Pierce vs. LeBron James
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Once again, it's pick your poison here. Both players are going to make shots and get their points, so the difference comes down to defense.
LeBron doesn't get praised enough for the job he does defensively, especially in help-out situations. James also brings a dynamic flavor to the Heat offense, playing the role of point guard regularly. He also seems to be on a mission on the glass this postseason, averaging double-digit rebounds.
Pierce is rather limited defensively and doesn't pose as much of a problem to opposing defenses as James. He is another option for the Celtics in late-game situations, something that makes them difficult to defend as a team.
EDGE: HEAT
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Power Forward: Chris Bosh vs. Kevin Garnett
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You may be surprised to hear this, but Bosh and Garnett play very similar offensive games.
Both are so valuable because of their ability to step out and hit open 15-18-foot jumpers.
In my opinion, Bosh is a slightly better shooter, but Garnett is without question more physical underneath the basket.
We have seen a resurgence of Bosh after his famous, "I want the ball" postgame speech.
Garnett is a sure-fire Hall-of-Famer and has about one more run left in his ailing body. The question is whether or not Miami chooses to double-team Garnett down low, leaving shooters open outside.
Miami's up-and-down game may do just enough to slow Garnett, but I still think he wins this matchup by a hair.
EDGE: CELTICS (SLIGHTLY)
Center: Jermaine O'Neal/Nenad Kristic/Shaq vs. Zydrunas Ilgauskas/Joel Anthony
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Clearly the matchup with the least star talent, plus the implication Shaq is simply not Shaq.
Jermaine O'Neal and his artificial knees have played surprisingly well this postseason, but the underlying surprise of the season has been Joel Anthony.
"The Warden" has given the Heat the physical presence they lacked in the wake of Udonis Haslem's foot injury.
Anthony does the dirty work for Miami, hitting the glass and altering shots inside the paint. Zydrunas Illgauskas has a great touch with his shot, but is simply too much of a liability to see quality late-game minutes in this series.
I expect Anthony to shine against Boston, though not in the box score.
EDGE: HEAT
Bench: Mike Miller/James Jones/Eddie House vs Glen Davis/Jeff Green/Delonte West
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Neither bench is particularly breathtaking, but the Heat do seem to have slightly more talent.
It sounds ridiculous to say, but the loss of Nate Robinson may end up hurting the Celtics more than they know.
Miami's bench of Miller, Jones and House provides streaky shooting that can either help or hurt the Heat.
The Celtics post a much larger, physical bench of Davis and Green, but nothing too formidable.
All in all, this game will not come down to the bench as most think it may. Neither bench provides enough to truly impact this series one way or the other.
EDGE: PUSH
Coaches: Eric Spoelstra vs. Doc Rivers
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He's been there, done that. Rivers has the playoff knowledge that Spoelstra lacks and is an absolute wizard when it comes to drawing up plays.
To quote a tweet from ESPN's Ryen Russillo, "If the Celtics could call a timeout before every possession, they would score every time."
While Spoelstra isn't quite the coach Rivers is yet, he does bring an extensive taste in defense to the table. Coach Spo has to be commended for the job he's done juggling three superstars this season.
Despite this, it's an easy answer.
EDGE: CELTICS
So Who Wins?
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This series will be so unbelievably close that it's difficult to pick a winner.
Home court will clearly be an advantage, though not as much as many think.
The Heat's inability to close out games will end this series, as LeBron, Wade and co. are out to prove that they made the right move taking their talents to South Beach.
Boston will be left in disgust, realizing the torch may have finally been passed in the Eastern Conference.
Miami will be partying all the way to the Conference Finals.
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