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Celtics (2-0) at Heat (0-2) Game 3 4/23
« on: April 21, 2010, 11:00:56 PM »

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Boston Celtics (2-0) at Miami Heat (0-2)  
Round 1  Game #3 – Road Game #1
Friday, April 23, 2010
7:00 PM ET
TV:  ESPN, CSN-NE
American Airlines Arena

   Although the Miami Heat has only existed for two decades they have already called two arenas home. The expansion Miami Heat began playing at the Miami Arena in 1988-1989 during their inaugural year.  For over a decade they played here along with the Florida Panthers (NHL). With a seating capacity of just over 16,000 both the Heat and Panthers wanted new modern facilities to play at.
In 1996, voters approved a bond for the construction of a new arena for the Heat. At a cost of $213 million, the Heat contributed $50 million to the project while hotel taxes were increased to fund the project. American Airlines purchased the naming rights for $42 million over 20 years to have the arena named after their company.
    American Airlines Arena was constructed along Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami. The Miami Heat played their first game at the arena on January 2, 2000. From the exterior American Airlines Arena features a sleek modern design. This design is also found inside where views of the city skyline and bay can been seen from the concourse. Nearly 20,000 fans can watch the Heat play from three levels of seats that enclose the court. The arena has five configurations that can be arranged to see 5,000 to 20,000 fans.



Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
 vs    
Rajon Rondo 13.7 PPG 9.8 APG 2.3 SPG
Carlos Arroyo 6.1 PPG 3.1 APG 0.5 SPG

Shooting Guard
 vs  
Ray Allen 16.3 PPG 2.6 APG .363 3P%
Dwyane Wade 26.6 PPG 6.5 APG .300 3P%

Small Forward
 vs  
Paul Pierce 18.3 PPG 4.4 RPG 3.1 APG
Quintin Richardson 8.9 PPG 4.9 RPG 1.2 APG

Power Forward
 vs  
Kevin Garnett 14.3 PPG 7.3 RPG 0.8 BPG
Michael Beasley 14.8 PPG 6.4 RPG 0.6 BPG

Center
 at  
Kendrick Perkins 10.1 PPG 7.6 RPG 1.7 BPG
Jermaine O'Neal 13.6 PPG 6.9 RPG 1.4 BPG



Off the Bench
Nate Robinson
Shelden Williams
Rasheed Wallace
Brian Scalabrine
Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Marquis Daniels
Michael Finley
Oliver Lafayette
Tony Gaffney

Injuries
None

Off the Bench
Joel Anthony
James Jones
Dorell Wright
Mario Chalmers
Shavlik Randolph
Jamaal Magloire
Yakhouba Diawara
Daequan Cook
Kenny Hasbrouck
Udonis Haslem

Injuries
None

Key Stats from Game 2
FG %    Boston 48%,  Miami 38%
The Celtics have found their defense, holding the Heat to just 38% shooting and only 77 points.  Defense was key in winning game 2 and will be key once again if the Celtics want to win game 3.  

FREE THROWS    Boston 22-27 (82%)  Heat 10-16 (63%)
Most of the disparity in the free throws has been the fact that the Celtics have been attacking the basket while the Heat have been settling for jumpers for the most part.  The refs really haven't been a factor in the games.  That is scary because you know that they can turn it around at any time. The Celtics can expect the Heat to get the favorable calls in Miami and they can't let that distract them from playing their game.  

REBOUNDS     Boston 50,  Heat 33
This is the biggest stat of the game.  Rebounding is so crucial to winning games.  The Celtics crashed the boards as a team and out rebounded the Heat by 17.  Doing that in game 3 also will give them a good chance to win the game.  

Key Matchups
Key Matchups
 vs  
Kevin Garnett vs Michael Beasley
Kevin Garnett should be back and raring to go for this game after missing the last game and having a nice long rest.  Michael Beasley has struggled so far against both KG and Big Baby and they need to continue to keep him off balance while taking it to him on offense.  

 vs  
Rajon Rondo vs Carlos Arroyo
The Celtics have their biggest advantage at the PG spot. Rondo has shown that he can out play Arroyo and has been able to hit big shots and get into the paint at will.  Rondo needs to continue his aggressive play in game 3 and exploit this matchup.  

Honorable Mention
Ray Allen/Tony Allen vs Dwyane Wade
After doing very little in the first game, Ray Allen got hot in game 2 and scored 25 points.  The Celtics need Ray to stay hot and to keep Wade chasing him through multiple screens, which takes away from his own offensive game.  If Wade starts to get hot, expect Doc to call on Tony to once again try to slow him down.

Players to Watch

Big Baby was the Ticket Stub in game 2 and was key to the win in that game.  The question in this game will be can he produce like that in a role off the bench.   If he can, the Celtics will have a very good chance of winning this game.  


Doc called Perk the best player on the Celtics in game 2 and the +/- numbers for the game bear that out as Perk had a team best +41.  Hopefully Perk will continue to be as aggressive in this game and not try to defer to KG too much.  An aggressive Perk next to an aggressive KG is a very scary frontcourt.  


Dwyane Wade hasn't been able to take over in either game 1 or 2.   Back in his house, he will be looking to be more aggressive and will try to get to the basket and draw fouls and the Celtics need to be ready for his extra aggressiveness.  


Michael Beasley
Even if Wade steps up his game, the Heat can't win unless his supporting cast steps up as well.    The player with the most potential to do so is Michael Beasley.  He has been frustrated by the Celtics bigs in spite of assuring Heat fans that he would be a more aggressive player in game 2.  He will look to get on track early and KG and Perk need to defend him well to keep him from getting any confidence.  

Game Notes
The Celtics responded to the taunts of Quentin Richardson and the suspension of KG with one of their best games of the season.  Hopefully that incident awoke the sleeping giant and that will carry over into this game.  They have won games 1 and 2 with very tough team defense and they need to continue to play that same type of lock down defense on the road.  

The Celtics were one of the best road teams in the regular season, just one game behind the Mavs for the best road record.   Whatever focus they found on the road in the regular season, they need to call on now as American Airlines Arena is certain to be a very hostile environment after the fight in game 1 and the blow out in game 2.  

KG should be rested.  Big Baby should have added confidence that will hopefully carry over to a role on the bench.  Perk played incredible defense on O'Neal and also was instrumental in the ball movement that was key to the Celtics 44-8 run that blew open the game.  Perk tends to be more passive when KG is playing but the Celtics need him to stay aggressive and complement KG rather than take a back seat to him.  

The Celtics need to try to win this game because game 4 is an afternoon game and their track record isn't all that great in matinee games.  A sweep would be nice, but going back to Boston up 3-1 wouldn't be bad either.  The Celtics have the Heat on the run and they need to keep their momentum going and not give them any reason to think they can win.  

Keys to the Game
Defense The Celtics won the first two games with tough lock down defense.  Now that they have found their defensive focus they need to continue to lock down the other team and not give them any breathing room.  If they try to outscore the Heat, they won't win.     Defense wins games and wins championships and the Celtics must continue to play the tough team defense that we saw down the stretch in game 1 and throughout game 2.    

Rebound   The Celtics were out rebounded 40-37 in game 1.  They came back in game two and out rebounded the heat by 17.   The whole team must make rebounding a priority as winning the rebounding battle is crucial to winning the game and the series.  
  

Play 48 Minutes
  The Celtics have to come out strong and keep the pressure on throughout the game.  They can't allow the Heat to see light at the end of the tunnel and think that they can get a win.  They need to hustle from the opening tip to the final buzzer.

Ball Movement  The Celtics have to keep the ball moving and make the extra pass to find the open man.  When the ball sticks and the movement slows, that is when the Celtics struggle with their offense.  When they make that extra pass, Miami has a hard time stopping them and the offense runs like a well oiled machine.  
 
Don't Get Over Confident  The Celtics have just won their home games and there is a long way to go in this series.  If they get over confident and feel like they have this series won already, they could be in for a surprise.  They have to come out focused and play like they are behind in the series.  Don't give the Heat any reason to think they can win this series.

X-Factors
Over Confidence and South Beach
The Celtics have the Heat reeling after the blowout in game 2.  But the Heat is still a dangerous team that won 18 of their last 20 games.  The Celtics can't afford to take them for granted or get over confident.  They need to come out as if they haven't won a thing and focus in spite of the hostile crowd that is sure to greet them in Miami.   And speaking of Miami, if the Celtics really want to win it all, they would do well to avoid the distraction of South Beach and keep their focus on the game and on winning.  

« Last Edit: April 22, 2010, 08:26:47 AM by FLCeltsFan »

Re: Celtics (2-0) at Heat (0-2) Game 3 4/23
« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2010, 11:19:26 PM »

Offline Mike-Dub

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TP for another great game thread FL!

LETS GO C'S!
"It's all about having the heart of a champion." - #34 Paul Pierce

Re: Celtics (2-0) at Heat (0-2) Game 3 4/23
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2010, 11:36:20 PM »

Offline misha

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A win here



couldwould be the final straw.
The Immortals:

Iker Casillas, Giacinto Facchetti, Alessandro Nesta, Matthias Sammer, Javier Zanetti, Lothar Matthäus (c), Xavi, Zico, Maradona, Roberto Baggio, Ferenc Puskas, Karl Heinz Rummenigge

Coach:Rinus Michels

Re: Celtics (2-0) at Heat (0-2) Game 3 4/23
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2010, 12:18:09 AM »

Offline jdpapa3

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Yep. A win in this one and the Heat will hit up Expedia and organize their summer travel plans.

Re: Celtics (2-0) at Heat (0-2) Game 3 4/23
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2010, 12:37:05 AM »

Offline Q_FBE

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We must assume that we will get Miami's best shot here. We have to continue our strong work on defense (they missed only 5 or 6 rotations in Game 2) and on the glass (Miami got maybe only 5 OR) and with their 38% fg Boston had an easy time. We must continue to limit the turnovers that lead to quick scores and positive energy and momentum to our opponents.

Miami will start out strong to get the upper hand and try to get back in the series. Hint, they need something from Beasley Friday. 

Boston will try to get Perkins, Garnett and Baby going on the inside as Boston has the advantage there.

A solid win here would confirm the C's mean business this postseason.

The beatings will continue until morale improves

Re: Celtics (2-0) at Heat (0-2) Game 3 4/23
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2010, 12:41:36 AM »

Offline ACF

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TP for another great game thread FL!

LETS GO C'S!


Re: Celtics (2-0) at Heat (0-2) Game 3 4/23
« Reply #6 on: April 22, 2010, 08:35:25 PM »

Offline thirstyboots18

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tp...Right again, FL  ;D.  I am very fond of people who agree with me....rebounds and defense, and not getting that laid back overconfident feeling.  (But I don't think we will this time.  I do think that D. Wade and the refs can be dangerous.)
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Re: Celtics (2-0) at Heat (0-2) Game 3 4/23
« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2010, 10:28:19 PM »

Offline celticinorlando

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simply put...this game in the series. win and it is over. lose and the heat have life

Re: Celtics (2-0) at Heat (0-2) Game 3 4/23
« Reply #8 on: April 22, 2010, 11:39:13 PM »

Online FLCeltsFan

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Celtics need to take a lesson from the Cavs loss.  You come out flat and slack off on defense and you get beat. The Celtics need to play like this is game 7 and give them no reason for hope. 

Re: Celtics (2-0) at Heat (0-2) Game 3 4/23
« Reply #9 on: April 22, 2010, 11:51:47 PM »

Offline GreenFaith1819

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TP for post FLCeltsFan!

We get this one and MIA gives up. I think this is the most important one.

It will be good to see KG back in action again!

Just let Wade run himself out trying to do it all.

Re: Celtics (2-0) at Heat (0-2) Game 3 4/23
« Reply #10 on: April 23, 2010, 01:41:31 AM »

Offline thebat

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Win this game, and it will show everybody that the Celts mean business and is for real in getting to banner 17!


Re: Celtics (2-0) at Heat (0-2) Game 3 4/23
« Reply #11 on: April 23, 2010, 02:11:58 AM »

Offline jordb2k5

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Win this game, and it will show everybody that the Celts mean business and is for real in getting to banner 17!



I thought we showed people in 08 we meant business going to get banner 17.

Re: Celtics (2-0) at Heat (0-2) Game 3 4/23
« Reply #12 on: April 23, 2010, 06:40:47 AM »

Offline Bankshot

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Win this game, and it will show everybody that the Celts mean business and is for real in getting to banner 17!



18!
"If somebody would have told you when he was playing with the Knicks that Nate Robinson was going to change a big time game and he was going to do it mostly because of his defense, somebody would have got slapped."  Mark Jackson

Re: Celtics (2-0) at Heat (0-2) Game 3 4/23
« Reply #13 on: April 23, 2010, 07:18:00 AM »

Offline kw10

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Let's go C's!!!
Anything is possible!!!

Re: Celtics (2-0) at Heat (0-2) Game 3 4/23
« Reply #14 on: April 23, 2010, 07:52:46 AM »

Online FLCeltsFan

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I hope the Celtics watched the Lakers and Cavs games and see what happens when you let up your intensity and defense.  They need to come out and play this game like it is game 7. Don't give them any life and we can rest while Cavs battle the Bulls at least one extra game.