Wolverine247 Board

Heat in 6. But I don't think they'll beat either team from the West.

Heat in 4 against the Celts, Heat in 6 against the Thunder.

A few things to watch:

- Boston really struggles at times rebounding the ball. For the Celtics to have a chance, they can't let guys like Joel Anthony, Turiaf and Haslem extend possessions with offensive rebounds.

- The Celtics also have problems at times taking care of the ball. Miami is the most dangerous team in the league in transition. Boston simply can't turn the ball over.

- If Bosh doesn't return, Miami won't have anyone that can guard Garnett. He needs to have an enormous series - something like 25+ and 12+ a game.

- If Bosh does return, Miami is clearly better on paper. But will that necessarily translate to on-court success? Could Miami, at this point, be more dangerous without Bosh, because it forces LeBron and Wade to be even more aggressive?

- Avery Bradley's injury really hurts the Celtics, as he does an outstanding job of defending Wade. Ray Allen struggles defending Wade when healthy, and Allen is nowhere close to healthy. What does Boston do here - keep Allen on Wade? Put Rondo on Wade and Allen on Chalmers?

- What does Boston have left in the tank? With several guys playing injured, it would have been beneficial for the Celtics to beat Philly in five games in order to get a little rest before the Heat series. Since that didn't happen, and there are no extra days off in the ECF (games are every other day), can the Celtics go all out every game for six or seven games?

- Like Garnett, Rondo also has to have a monster of a series. Miami doesn't have any dangerous shot blockers, and no one on the Heat can shut Rondo down. He's capable of playing like one of the best players in the league on any given night.

Celtics, I hope the Heat never win a single title with Lebron.

Nope, just for the NBA. I'm a Browns and Reds fan.

I really don't root for any particular team at the college level. IMO, you really can't when you work in this industry. I mainly just root for people I know (recruits and coaches) to do well.

It really is neat to get to know them and then follow them throughout the process. Looking forward to seeing which 2012 recruits crack the rotation in the B1G this fall. I'm hoping there will be a bunch. And I completely agree with you about Amara and Jehu.

Might I just say its beautiful to see a couple Michigan/Celtics fans around here (I'm counting you too Todd). A couple more keys here.

-KG has been knocking down the 17-20 footers like they're lay-ups and while he can get those whenever he wants because no center chases him out there, he needs to get back to the post. Haslem, Anthony, Turiaf will be guarding him and none of those guys have the length to bother his fadeaways and hooks. In the Atlanta series which was another team very weak inside he stayed down there and completely dominated. Philly pushed him off of his spots and he stopped going down low but IMO they need to feed him down there.

-I know Pierce has the MCL sprain, but if they want any chance of winning this series he's gotta get back to 20 ppg. It won't get any easier with LBJ guarding him but when he's on it doesn't really matter whose guarding him. His array of stepback jumpers and elbow pull ups are just about unguardable when he's feeling it.

-Someone on the bench has to step up. With Allen back in the starting lineup there's gotta be someone who gives a little scoring punch when the second unit comes in. I'm thinking Pietrus he gets probably 3 to 4 open looks at 3's every game and it's just a matter of if hes hitting them or not. I wouldn't be surprised to see a guy like Pavlovic get some more burn this series in regard to what he can do on D guarding Lebron and he's a guy capable of knocking down shots as well.

-Realize none of the key points given have been about defense? That's because it's a constant with this team no matter whose on the court. Dont get me wrong it can't be understated how big it'd be to have AB out there guarding Wade but the celtics have always been about team defense. I think because of that there's no way this isn't a close series as far as the individual games but the Heat will win in 5 or 6. But I hope like hell I'm wrong cuz I'd love to see this unit go out with a win against these clowns.

Great analysis guys! Matchup wise, this series reminds me a bit of the 2010 series against the Cavs, when KG and Rondo were virtually unstoppable. Those two have to do the same thing again, and stay out of foul trouble at all costs. Pierce has to bring his A game and at least hang with LeBron. He's shown that he can do that in the past. A year older and with an injured knee, can he do it again? That'll be key.

Another potential matchup in Boston's favor is Brandon Bass. Battier will most likely be guarding him. Bass, when he's on, is automatic from 15-18 feet. With Battier on him, I'd like to see him play in the post a little more. Get the Heat in foul trouble, slow the game down and make Miami's bench play more minutes.

That Wade matchup could be brutal for the Celtics. I'm thinking Keyon Dooling may be the best option off the bench to cover him. In short spurts, he's really played well defensively this postseason. And when he's in rhythm, he can hit some big 3's as well on the other end of the floor.

Great point by GoBigBlue about Pavlovic possibly playing a much bigger role in this series. Either he or Pietrus (or both) has to be able to eat up some minutes guarding LeBron. Pierce can't effectively play as many minutes as LeBron on a nightly basis, and giving LeBron another look will help too.

One major worry I have is that if the Celtics are really struggling with Wade and resort to a zone defense, Miami could kill them on the glass. No one talks about Joel Anthony, but he's a pest on the boards, getting huge tip-ins, keeping possessions alive, etc. Miami is too good to give them 2-3 shots per possession.

With Bosh out, Celtics still got out-rebounded by 15. That's brutal.

Lets be honest guys...the Heat will smash the Celtics. Boston is made up of Dinosaurs plus Rondo. Spurs got lucky in game 1 and it might be over in 5 if OKC plays like they should. Honestly...nobody can stay with the Heat or OKC up and down the floor. Both those teams just need to wear out the other team

They're all jump shooters? Durant, Westbrook, Harden?

Disagree. All three shoot jumpers, but to characterize them as Steve Kerr/John Paxson types ALONE is simply not accurate. Harden and Westbrook both attack the rim and Durant posts up.

Perhaps "they often settle for jumpers" is a better description.

I don't buy the "better team 1-12" either **if** you mean that they're more talented 1-12. They are an incredibly sound TEAM, period; credit Pop and the Spurs GM for that (I have always loved Tim Duncan and have tremendous respect for their organization). But I sincerely doubt that they're more talented 1-12.

As to the OP, Heat in 6 imo. I hated the Celtics when I was younger but grew to like them since I cannot stand Kobe (heh). I don't see them getting past the Heat though UNLESS, as Todd said, KG and Rondo have an incredible series. Give Rondo a jump shot and he's top 2 PG in the league...but as Reggie pointed out, he shoots the ball with is palm/entire hand as opposed to using his fingertips. Miami is just too fast, too athletic, too good in transition. They can get easy buckets; Celtics struggle to do so.