NBA Playoffs: Shaq Likely to Play in Game 3 vs. Heat, Can He Make a Difference?
The Boston Celtics have looked old, disinterested, rattled and frustrated in two losses to the Miami Heat in the Eastern semifinals.
With center Shaquille O'Neal likely to make his long-awaited Celtics playoff debut Saturday night in Game 3 at TD Garden in Boston, will his presence alone be enough to inspire the Celtics to earn their first win of the series?
While Shaq is old and not as dominant at either end of the floor as he used to be, his rebounding will be the biggest boost he'll give the Celtics, who have been killed on the glass the entire season.
Shaq will also add depth to the center position, which will help current starting center Jermaine O'Neal.
In Shaq's absence, Jermaine hasn't been able to play with the same defensive intensity that makes him a great shot blocker because if he picks up a couple quick fouls, backup center Nenad Krstic comes in, who is a far worse defensive player.
With Shaq, the Celtics have six more fouls to use on the athletic roster of the Heat, who led by LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, are getting to the basket off the dribble far to easily.
The Celtics are not playing good perimeter defense and Shaq's presence in the paint to help out on his guard's mistakes will be huge for Boston.
Shaq will also help on the offensive end too. As usual, he's not going to hit many of his free throws, but the number he attempts will be important.
If he can get the Miami big men in foul trouble, the Celtics will challenge one of Miami's weaknesses, front court depth.
The Celtics would be wise to get Miami big men Chris Bosh and Joel Anthony in foul trouble, and disrupt the Heat's rotation and flow.
Another boost Shaq will give the Celtics will come from the crowd, and the energy the building will exert when he is announced in the starting lineup.
The Celtics and Shaq are veterans who know what it takes to win a championship. Miami has done what they were supposed to do so far, win two home games.
The Celtics have been good at home this season and Shaq's presence will help them at both ends of the floor.
Former Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich once said, "Don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion."
This quote exemplifies the effort the Celtics will give on Saturday night.
It would be foolish for the Heat to take the Celtics lightly after two easy wins in South Beach, and it would be equally foolish to underestimate the impact Shaq can have on the Celtics play in this series.
