In the aftermath of last night’s holocaust at the TDBanknorth Garden, the Celtics move to Miami for their own version of the South Beach Diet. Who eats who remains to be seen.
The Heat gave quite a scare to a surging Celtic team that thought they had a another ho-hum win well in hand in the 4th quarter the last time they played…and that was at home in Boston where they are rolling over opponents. (See New York) They forgot they were playing a Pat Riley team and former NBA Champions.
Here is what I said then (Heat Won’t Stay Dead)…
Miami came roaring back from a 15 point, 4th quarter deficit. That scene has every other team the Celtics played this year, (save Toronto), sitting with their bags packed, waiting to shower, and get on the bus back to their hotel.
The Heat began their run with only 8:12 left in the game. Before they were through, they had erased the entire lead and had the audacity to take a 1 point lead of their own with 33 seconds left. That’s not in the script fellas.
Though James Posey has defected to the Green Side, the Heat, with Dwayne Wade healthy, Shaq on the court and Alonzo Mourning getting his back from the bench are a dangerous team.
Note: How does a guy making $2.2 million not have $12 dollars for a valet parking fee? Ask Smush Parker. He got into an argument over that amount when he tried to get his car because he was going to be late to practice. The story, as reported (Yahoo Sports) is that he says he paid it. He missed practice yesterday. I’ll with hold judgement.
After an 0-4 start, the Heat are a pedestrian 4-6 since. But a closer look reveals a 1-7 start, followed by a 3-2 record. The Heat are gathering momentum.
They traded recently for Ricky Davis and Mark Blount, revealing that Pat Riley has a thing for Danny Ainge cast offs. While no one has been able to solve the mystery of the cratchety Mark Blount, Ricky Davis is, at least, serviceable. Pehaps he could be more.
The trademark Riley defense is returning to form. In 5 of the last 6 games they have held opponents to 88.4 points per game. That’s good enough to lead the entire league. The offense is another story. They lost 2 of those games.
Shaq is averaging a healthy 16.5 points and an acceptable 7.4 rebounds in 28 minutes a game. He also blocked 7 shots against Atlanta recently. He picks his spots now, but is still someone who can affect the tone of a game.
Dwayne Wade is the driver of this vehicle, averaging 21.9 pts, 3.7 boards, and 5.7 assists in the 6 games since his return. One of the toughest players in the league to keep out of the paint, Rajon Rondo and his frontline help will have their hands full.
Daequan Cook is looking like a solid rookie trade for the Heat, after acquiring him from the Sixers in the preseason. A tall (6’5″), quick guard who can score, he had 19 points in 21 minutes in their last game against the Bobcats.
The Celtic stars are more rested than normal after taking much of the second half off in last night’s Knick blow out. It will be needed in the second half of a back-to-back, as the Heat are playing at home and are well rested themselves.
Actually the Celtics could take the game to Miami quite a bit, if Rajon continues to listen to his coach telling him to push the ball whenever he can. Rajon has been so focused on getting the Cs into their half court offense that his speed has been missing of late. A ‘pedal to the metal’ Rajon Rondo is a force to be reckoned with. His open court game is dangerous and gets others easy baskets as well, if they can keep up with him. You know that you won’t have to worry about Shaq on a fast break.
Perkins, Pollard, and Garnett will be key tonight against Shaq, Mourning, and Haslem. I will watch to see if Doc uses Glen Davis again. He should match up well against Haslem. Glen is gaining Rivers confidence and getting PT because of it. He had a career high 30 minutes last night and acquitted himself well. Things happen when Glen is in the game, most of them good.
Pollard, and Perkins could be difference makers if they can contain Shaq and Mourning more than normal.
It will be a good test for the Celtics because the Heat think they can play with the Cs after the last game. An early Celtic lead doesn’t mean the game is over this time.
I’ll be watching for how the Heat defend the three stars. Last time they made life difficult for Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and anyone else crossing through the middle with physical play. There should be no answer for Kevin Garnett on the Heat, unless Mourning gets the assignment.
This is not a game the Celtics will take lightly. The show starts at 8:00 pm on ESPN.
