Celtics vs. Heat: 8 Ways for Boston to Even the Series Up Against Miami
The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat are two games underway in their best-of-seven series in the second round of the 2011 NBA playoffs, as the Heat now take a 2-0 lead into Boston.
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have offered a plethora of scoring through the first two games of the series, scoring 123 of the 201 points the Heat have scored through two games. Step-up play from center Joel Anthony and forward James Jones have also played a significant role in helping take care of home court in Miami.
Paul Pierce and the Celtics face a must-win situation in Game 3, with the series potentially on the line. A 0-3 deficit would mean a world of trouble for the Celtics, as no team in NBA history has ever overcome the hole. Just three teams have ever been able to force a seventh game after going down 0-3.
Join B/R and myself in going through the eight ways that Pierce and Boston Celtics can even up the series with the Miami Heat after two games at TD Garden.
8. Ray Allen Must Put Up Points
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When Ray Allen scores the basketball, the Boston Celtics win basketball games, plain and simple.
This season, the Celtics were a whopping 20-5 when Allen scored at least 20 points in a game. Interesting to note, two of the 20 wins came against the Miami Heat.
Ray Allen scored just seven points in the Game 2 loss to the Heat, a number that needs to improve if the Celtics expect to win both games at home. For the series, Allen is averaging 16 points a contest.
7. More Offense from the Big Three
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The Big Three for the Boston Celtics have failed to produce offensively in the first two games against the Miami Heat, and as a result the C's find themselves in a two game hole.
Arguably one of the bigger reasons for their 0-2 deficit, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett must improve their point totals. In Game 1, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh outscored the Celtics Big Three, 67-50.
Game 2 was much of the same story for the Celtics. The Big Three managed to score a combined 36 points, while James by himself would put in 35 for the game.
In sweeping the New York Knicks in the first round, Allen, Pierce, and Garnett were scoring left and right in each contest. Game 3 featured arguably Pierce and Allen's best shooting sessions of the season.
A poor Big Three offensively means a world of trouble for the Celtics.
6. Have Shaquille O'Neal on the Court
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He's too old, weak, and much too injury prone. He's a liability, not an asset.
Right?
Wrong.
The presence of Shaquille O'Neal on both ends of the floor may be exactly what the Celtics need. Dwyane Wade and LeBron James have had their way getting to the rim throughout the series. Having a presence like Shaq in the middle may be enough to make life difficult for the two top talents.
Offensively, despite his age, O'Neal still has the ability to put the ball through the net with authority. Ten to 15 minutes from the big fella could be the difference for the Celtics.
5. Paul Pierce Needs to Keep His Cool
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In Game 1 Paul Pierce got into it with James Jones after a hard foul when Pierce was in the act of shooting, as both players were hit with a technical after jawing after the play. This would eventually lead to a second technical foul for Pierce, which occurred 59 seconds later when confronting Dwyane Wade.
Here's the problem: A veteran, talent and leader in Paul Pierce has no business letting a no-name role player in James Jones get under his skin. Really?
More than anything, it has affected Pierce's game as a whole. Pierce has the ability to play LeBron James defensively and make his presence felt on both ends, as he has shown all his career. Watching him play these past two games, it is evident his frustration has got the best of him, and it taking a toll on his game.
The Boston Celtics need Paul Pierce now more than ever, on offense, defense and as a leader.
4. Get the Rondo Engine Running
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Rajon Rondo is the engine that keeps the Boston Celtics running, and is currently on pace to run them right out of the NBA playoffs.
With an aging Big Three, Rondo's ability to find open teammates and penetrate the lane will prove significant in the Celtics chances to comeback and make this a series. Rondo's knack for splitting a defense and being able to pick apart defenders on the perimeter.
Rondo has improved his play, posting 20 points and 12 assists in Game 2 of the series. Numbers like these are figures Rondo has to put up on a consistent basis to have the Celtics back on top in the series.
His 11.2 assists per game this postseason are the best of any player remaining in the playoffs.
3. Limit Turnovers
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The Boston Celtics have actually turned the ball over twice less than the Miami Heat in the series, turning the ball over 24 times to the Miami Heat's 26.
The problem for the Celtics is that the Heat are a team that is fueled off of forcing turnovers and creating transition opportunities.LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are two of the quickest, most efficient players in transition this game has to offer.
The Big Three led Celtics have the experience and discipline not to make these careless mistakes, and should show improvements in Games 3 and 4 at home in TD Garden.
2. Create Better Scoring Opportunities
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The Boston Celtics have run a more stagnant, less fluid offense through the first two games of the series than they are used to running.
The Miami Heat's defense is to be credited for a lot of the inconsistency offensively. Yet at the end of the day, the talent on offense that this Celtics team boasts is not playing to their potential.
With more movement on offense, and better off-the-ball movement, the Celtics will find more success against the Heat defense. In both games the Celtics were out-shot, shooting 42 percent in the first game and 43 in the second. The Heat would should 47 and 45 percent in Games 1 and 2.
If the Boston Celtics can play the offense they are capable of, taking better shots and moving the ball more in the half-court set, the Celtics should start to see the wins start to come their way.
1. Step Up the Defense
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With Kendrick Perkins no longer a member of the Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett is the sole anchor of the league-leading defense.
In the first two games of the series, the Celtics have seemed sluggish offensively. In Game 2, the Celtics allowed 102 points to the Heat, while allowing the Heat's Big Three to score a jaw-dropping 80 points on them.
These numbers are uncharacteristic of the Celtics defense, as their play on the defensive end is what the team prides itself for. The Celtics are known for the team defensive scheme that has players constantly working for one another. This series has had the Celtics displaying a softer, less aggressive defense, most especially in transition and in protecting the paint.
Step-up play defensively for the Celtics is not only an improvement that wins them two games at home, but that could lead to a momentum-swap in the series.
