The official Heat-Celtics Eastern Conference semifinal thread

[KontradictioN]

Figured I'd get this thread going for what should be one of the more anticipated playoff series in NBA history. The Celtics took the season series 3-1 while the Heat took the most recent contest 100-77. I wouldn't expect that one again, personally. And, if the Heat play like they did in the last couple of games against Philly, I expect a Celtics sweep. However, I think both teams will step their games up for this one.

As a Heat fan, I'd like to see Mario Chalmers start at the point over Mike Bibby who, aside from the Cavs game in the regular season, has been about as useless as tits on a bull. Chalmers has been playing extremely well of late distributing the ball and has shown that he's capable of knocking down the open shots created by double teams to D-Wade and LeBron as well as defending the opposition's PG. For this series, I'd also expect them to go with Ilgauskas moreso than Joel Anthony. I like Anthony's shot blocking ability, but he's 6'9" and will apparently be going against Shaq. We need another 7 footer in there to contend with Shaq.

In all, this series is going to be absolutely riveting television.

[BradyManny]

Originally Posted by KontradictioN

Figured I'd get this thread going for what should be one of the more anticipated playoff series in NBA history. The Celtics took the season series 3-1 while the Heat took the most recent contest 100-77. I wouldn't expect that one again, personally. And, if the Heat play like they did in the last couple of games against Philly, I expect a Celtics sweep. However, I think both teams will step their games up for this one.

As a Heat fan, I'd like to see Mario Chalmers start at the point over Mike Bibby who, aside from the Cavs game in the regular season, has been about as useless as tits on a bull. Chalmers has been playing extremely well of late distributing the ball and has shown that he's capable of knocking down the open shots created by double teams to D-Wade and LeBron as well as defending the opposition's PG. For this series, I'd also expect them to go with Ilgauskas moreso than Joel Anthony. I like Anthony's shot blocking ability, but he's 6'9" and will apparently be going against Shaq. We need another 7 footer in there to contend with Shaq.

We'll see if Shaq can actually suit up - I'm skeptical.

I now think he is a key to the series though. Jermaine has been much better than expected - and light years ahead of where he was at the start of this season when he looked downright pathetic. But I'm not sure if he can eat up space in the paint the way we need him to.

The way Perk did.

The key to beating the Heat and the Bulls is controlling the paint. It's not just about the bigs, but their penetrators. Is Jermaine + KG enough to stop Lebron? Not sure. But throw Shaq in there, well, even Lebron can't run through him (though, lord knows he'll try, and not get called for one of his blatantly illegal offensive moves).

Chalmers might have a better chance of dealing with Rondo, we'll see. I didn't watch much of the past Heat series save for game 4, and even then I wasn't paying much attention so I'm not sure how they are playing right now.

I think this will be a pretty epic series. I was more excited for it back when we had Perk and Shaq and I knew we had the bigs to overmatch your Heat. Now, that advantage is neutralized, and who owns the paint is up for grab.

Ultimately, like any Celtics series, it probably comes down to how Rondo plays on offense. If he's aggressive, they win. If he's not, they lose. You'd think he and Doc would've figured out this trend by now and he would - like Charlie Sheen - have one speed ("Go") and this team would be consistently tough to beat. Instead, his confidence wavers and he ends up being the 5th wheel on an offense that cannot produce points without him. Rondo is bi-polar as a basketball player in a lot of ways. And if low-confidence Rondo shows up, the Heat will rout.

[KontradictioN]

Originally Posted by BradyManny

We'll see if Shaq can actually suit up - I'm skeptical.

I now think he is a key to the series though. Jermaine has been much better than expected - and light years ahead of where he was at the start of this season when he looked downright pathetic. But I'm not sure if he can eat up space in the paint the way we need him to.

The way Perk did.

The key to beating the Heat and the Bulls is controlling the paint. It's not just about the bigs, but their penetrators. Is Jermaine + KG enough to stop Lebron? Not sure. But throw Shaq in there, well, even Lebron can't run through him (though, lord knows he'll try, and not get called for one of his blatantly illegal offensive moves).

Chalmers might have a better chance of dealing with Rondo, we'll see. I didn't watch much of the past Heat series save for game 4, and even then I wasn't paying much attention so I'm not sure how they are playing right now.

I think this will be a pretty epic series. I was more excited for it back when we had Perk and Shaq and I knew we had the bigs to overmatch your Heat. Now, that advantage is neutralized, and who owns the paint is up for grab.

Ultimately, like any Celtics series, it probably comes down to how Rondo plays on offense. If he's aggressive, they win. If he's not, they lose. You'd think he and Doc would've figured out this trend by now and he would - like Charlie Sheen - have one speed ("Go") and this team would be consistently tough to beat. Instead, his confidence wavers and he ends up being the 5th wheel on an offense that cannot produce points without him. Rondo is bi-polar as a basketball player in a lot of ways. And if low-confidence Rondo shows up, the Heat will rout.

I'd like to see the Heat do to the Celtics what the Lakers did last year: shut down Allen and Pierce and force Rondo into jump shots. Do that, and the series is easily winnable. Rondo's jump shot really hasn't improved and ranges from "eh" to downright horrible. If Rondo's taking jump shots instead of penetrating, his effect on the game is neutralized. For the Heat, the defensive keys to this series are not allowing Allen open looks from beyond the arc and keeping Rondo out of the paint. Offensively, Bosh needs to be a presence in the paint and Wade needs to lead the offense and let LeBron be the role player that he came to Miami to be.

For the Celtics, it's easy: control Wade and keep him out of the paint and get Rondo going. It also won't hurt to have Shaq for more than five minutes (assuming he shows up in basketball shape).

[BradyManny]

Originally Posted by KontradictioN

I'd like to see the Heat do to the Celtics what the Lakers did last year: shut down Allen and Pierce and force Rondo into jump shots. Do that, and the series is easily winnable. Rondo's jump shot really hasn't improved and ranges from "eh" to downright horrible. If Rondo's taking jump shots instead of penetrating, his effect on the game is neutralized. For the Heat, the defensive keys to this series are not allowing Allen open looks from beyond the arc and keeping Rondo out of the paint. Offensively, Bosh needs to be a presence in the paint and Wade needs to lead the offense and let LeBron be the role player that he came to Miami to be.

For the Celtics, it's easy: control Wade and keep him out of the paint and get Rondo going. It also won't hurt to have Shaq for more than five minutes (assuming he shows up in basketball shape).

Valid points - I agree on Rondo. I will say his jumper in round 1 was in one of its better forms all year - which is good news for C's fans. The bad news is I've never seen a "hot streak" (which I define as only moderately poor jump shooting) last long, and he reverts back to truly poor jump shooting.

He needs to realize that he can use the cushion players give him to his advantage in others ways. It lets him get a running start on his drives and penetrations. It allows him to hang by the hoop and contest rebounds, make hustle plays, or get open for layups.

When he settles and is shooting halfway decently (rare), they can survive. But I agree that when he settles and is shooting poorly, they'll lose.

Doc knows that Rondo does not need to cave to the pressure of having his man play off of him.

Wade I think the C's can control, generally. Lebron is another issue. This could become a free throw shooting contest with him and Wade getting into the paint and forcing their will. The Celtics will not win if that's the case.

[ausbacker]

Celtics 4-2 and continue the recent trend of knocking MeBron out of the playoffs.

[51Hits]

Originally Posted by BradyManny

Valid points - I agree on Rondo. I will say his jumper in round 1 was in one of its better forms all year - which is good news for C's fans. The bad news is I've never seen a "hot streak" (which I define as only moderately poor jump shooting) last long, and he reverts back to truly poor jump shooting.

He needs to realize that he can use the cushion players give him to his advantage in others ways. It lets him get a running start on his drives and penetrations. It allows him to hang by the hoop and contest rebounds, make hustle plays, or get open for layups.

When he settles and is shooting halfway decently (rare), they can survive. But I agree that when he settles and is shooting poorly, they'll lose.

Doc knows that Rondo does not need to cave to the pressure of having his man play off of him.

Wade I think the C's can control, generally. Lebron is another issue. This could become a free throw shooting contest with him and Wade getting into the paint and forcing their will. The Celtics will not win if that's the case.

I agree. If Wade and Lebron get the refs going (Wade has his moments but it's automatic with Lebron) the Celtics have no chance, and will lose with James posting a ridiculous free throw advantage compared to us. Normally in games where CLE would beat us James would have a ridiculous free throw advantage

[scout]

I see Rondo taking over this series. Miami has no answer for him. As soon as they put James on him, it opens up Pierce or Allen. There has been a lot of 'if's about James and Wade, but "if" the Celtics just play team ball, they will win.

[Brady_to_Moss]

Celtics in 6..Rondo is going to have a field day


Give Lebron 30 a game and just stop bosh and wade

And i already made a thread last week

Too bad i can't watch the first 3 games really due to work..great..

[Run DMC]

This going to be fun watching the celts smoke these powder puffs. Rondo is going to have huge numbers in this series.

[Boston Boxer]

come on Kontra..."one of the more anticipated playoff series in NBA history"? Really? Maybe for you and the Heat. The Celtics have played in at least 20 other series that have been more anticipated.


This will not be close. Celtics win in 5 because this is the Heats "Super Bowl" and its the Celtics next apponent. The Heat are too amped up in trying to beat the Celtics.