2011 NBA Playoffs: Miami Heat Keys to Stealing Game 4 Against Boston Celtics
It happened. You shouldn't be shocked. A championship level team showed up with a championship-like performance with their backs against the wall.
The Boston Celtics emerged Saturday night with their heads held high and for good reason. Trailing 46-44 at halftime, the Celtics came out and dominated the Miami Heat in the second half with a gutty performance from their three superstars en route to a 97-81 victory.
The Heat on the other hand must quickly forget the shellacking laid on them tonight and focus their attention to Game Four, a game that can still give them a stranglehold on this series.
Here are some keys that can help them steal one in the vaunted Garden (I know it's TD Garden, but let's be honest it's just The Garden).
Start Fast...Literally
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In a baffling display of continuity and quite possibly stupidity, head coach Eric Spoelstra continues to pencil Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Mike Bibby in the starting lineup.
While I can understand starting a veteran savvy tandem, Mario Chalmers and Joel Anthony have been flat out better throughout the season and especially in the playoffs.
Ilgauskas seems lost on offense, while Bibby remains inconsistent from beyond-the-arc.
Chalmers and Anthony, on the other hand, provide instant hustle and attitude, two necessary assets when beginning playoff games.
I understand Spoelstra's view on bringing a spark off the bench, but the Heat can't afford to go down quick in Game Four and allow the Celtics crowd to get involved early.
The lineup of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Chalmers and Anthony has proved to be the Heat's most potent and should be the one trotting out there at about 7 p.m. Monday night.
Get Chris Bosh Involved
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3-of-10, 5-of-10, 1-of-6. Chris Bosh must simply allude to is late regular season form and be more aggressive.
The difference in Game Three was Kevin Garnett, but Bosh showed little to no retaliation on his end of the floor.
This game could have been far worse had Joel Anthony not provided 12 points off the bench, something that shouldn't be relied on in the future.
Bosh needs to begin attacking early, rather than his usual move at the beginning of the second quarter when James and Wade sit on the bench.
Providing any type of involvement that attracts Celtics help will allow Wade and James to spread the floor and get easy buckets.
Pressure Rondo in the Backcourt
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In a heroic display in Game Three, Rajon Rondo battled back from a horrifying dislocated elbow injury to put together a solid game.
The Heat inexplicably disregarded the injury upon Rondo's return, playing off the ball as they did prior to it.
They must pressure the suddenly single-handed Rondo up-and-down the court, making everything difficult on him. He has yet to take a jump shot with the elbow and while it may feel a little better in Game Four, it should be rather limiting.
Attack the Basket
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Much of Miami's success in the first two games was due in large part to there distinct advantage at the free-throw line. The Heat ventured away from their attacking style in Game Three, taking a ridiculous 23 three-pointers.
Regardless of the fact they made just four of those, by shooting jumpers the Heat limit their best offensive weapons in Wade and James.
These two must attack the basket in Game Four, eventually working their way to the line and handicapping the Celtics.
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