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Boston Celtics (3-0) at Miami Heat (0-3)
Round 1 Game #4 – Road Game #2
Sunday, April 25, 2010
1:00 PM ET
TV: ABC
AmericanAirlines 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. ProbableStarters PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
C: Kendrick Perkins
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
Off the BenchNate Robinson
Shelden Williams
Rasheed Wallace
Brian Scalabrine
Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Marquis Daniels
Michael Finley
Oliver Lafayette
Tony Gaffney
InjuriesNone
Probable Starters PG: Carlos Arroyo
SG: Dwyane Wade
C: Jermaine O'Neal
SF: Quentin Richardson
PF: Michael Beasley
Off the Bench Joel Anthony
James Jones
Dorell Wright
Mario Chalmers
Shavlik Randolph
Jamaal Magloire
Yakhouba Diawara
Daequan Cook
Kenny Hasbrouck
Udonis Haslem
InjuriesDwyane Wade (leg cramps) will play
Key Stats from Game 3Rebounds Celtics 38, Heat 34
The Celtics also pulled down 11 offensive rebounds to 9 for the Heat (Perk had 4 of those). For the second game in a row, the Celtics out-rebounded the Heat. This is very key to this win. They need to crash the boards and make rebounding a priority in game 4 as well.
Free Throws Celtics 18-23, Heat 14-17
Even with Bennett Salvatore officiating, Celtics got to the line more than the Heat. While the Heat attacked the basket a lot more than they did in games 1 and 2, they still reverted to jumpers for long stretches while the Celtics were the more aggressive team.
Field Goal Percentage Celtics 47% Heat 51%
The Celtics defense slipped a bit from games 1 and 2 where they held the Heat to 44% over the two games. The Celtics must keep their focus on defense. Defense wins games, championships and series sweeps.
Key Matchups
Key Matchups vs
Kevin Garnett vs Michael Beasley
Ray Allen had a big game in Game 2. Paul Pierce had a big game in Game 3. Is it Kevin Garnett's turn to have a big game in this one? Michael Beasley showed some life in game 3 and if he has a big game in this one, it may be the boost that the Heat need to win a game in their building. KG's defense will be needed to keep Beasley struggling.
vs
Rajon Rondo vs Carlos Arroyo
As in the first 3 games, 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 4 and exploit this matchup. The Heat have struggled to contain him and will more than likely continue to in this game.
Honorable MentionPaul Pierce vs Quentin Richardson
After the fight in game one, Pierce has done his talking with his game. In game 3, he scored 32 points including the game winner, while holding Richardson to just 5 points. I'm sure another big game from the Captain in a game 4 win would just be the exclamation point on the rivalry between these two players that Pierce would like.
Players to Watch Kendrick Perkins
Perk struggled with his offense in game 3 but put his focus on the defense and pulled down 12 rebounds, including 4 on the offensive end, and blocked 2 shots. His defense is key in this series. He has literally shut down Jermaine O'Neal to the point where JO is turning to his high school shooting coach for help and Heat fans are calling him Ermaine O'Neal because he has no J. Perk's defense in the paint is crucial to the success of the Celtics.
Dwyane Wade
Even though his supporting cast stepped up quite a bit in game 3, the Heat still need a super human effort from Wade to win. If it wasn't for the cramps in his legs in game 3, the Heat may have pulled out a win. As Wade goes so will go the Heat.
Game NotesThe Heat have to realize that they have little chance of winning 4 games in a row to win the series but it will be a matter of pride not to be knocked out of the playoffs on their own floor and not to be swept. But, they played very hard in game 3, actually out playing the Celtics in many areas, only to lose on a last second shot by Pierce. That had to be demoralizing.
On the other hand, with the Heat down 3-0, the Celtics, and with Cleveland losing one in Chicago, the Celtics have a perfect opportunity to sweep this series and get some extra rest before facing the Cavs in round 2.
The Celtics haven't been in this position since the current edition of the big 3 was formed and it would be a statement for them to get the sweep when most analysts had been reporting on their demise at the end of the season. When they met with the media on Saturday every player was focused on game 4 and trying to end the series with this game. They aren't taking anything for granted and Pierce said that he is facing this game as if the teams were 3-3.
The Celtics are playing on just one day rest, but did not to practice on Saturday but opted for a film session instead. This is also an afternoon game and the Celtics are just 3-4 in afternoon games this season. They will need to come out focused and ready to play defense if they want to end this series now because the Heat are going to give it all they've got to avoid the sweep.
Keys to the Game Defense The Celtics won the first two games with tough lock down defense, allowing the Heat only 76.5 points per game. The defense slipped a little in game 3, allowing the Heat to score 98 points. Defense is the key to this win as well as Banner 18.
Rebound The Celtics were out rebounded in game 1 but they have out rebounded the Heat in both games 2 and 3. 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 Heat are playing for pride in this one. They are going to come out strong and the Celtics have to be ready for it and match it with a strong start of their own. They also can't afford to let up and allow the Heat to gain any confidence that they can win this game.
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.
X-FactorsDesperation FactorThe Heat are going to be desperate with their backs against the wall. If the Celtics can't match that desperation factor and play like it is a must win then the Heat may just pull this one out.