Predictions: Celtics vs. Heat

[hpantazo]

Dragic is at 21ppg in the playoffs. That's a big reason for their success. Need to slow him down and keep him out of the lane and off his left hand.

So do we think Kemba can do that? If not, do we put Smart on him and switch Kemba to the much taller guy in Robinson?

[RPGenerate]

Dragic is at 21ppg in the playoffs. That's a big reason for their success. Need to slow him down and keep him out of the lane and off his left hand.

So do we think Kemba can do that? If not, do we put Smart on him and switch Kemba to the much taller guy in Robinson?

Or you put him on Iggy when he plays. He gonna need to hold his own on Dragic for some possesions tho.

[Csfan1984]

This one probably favors the home state team. The C's core still has too many highs and lows. You can say Tatum seems reliable but that's about it. Since the Heat are specialized players it's easier for them to be more consistent. C's players do have higher ceilings of performance, while Heat players have higher floors of performance.

Heat in 6 or C's in 7.

Hayward playing full strength and I would say C's in 5 or 6.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

This one probably favors the home state team. The C's core still has too many highs and lows. You can say Tatum seems reliable but that's about it. Since the Heat are specialized players it's easier for them to be more consistent. C's players do have higher ceilings of performance, while Heat players have higher floors of performance.

Heat in 6 or C's in 7.

Hayward playing full strength and I would say C's in 5 or 6.

Gotta disagree with your assessment. The Cs defense raises their floor quite a bit. The Heat were playing the best basketball of the season against the Bucks. Part of the reason why is that Dragic was playing the best basketball he has in years and they were shooting so well.

The Heat were 10-14 over their last 24 games before the bubble. They were floundering and really struggling. Their floor is pretty low.

[apc]

Hope Smart get to show Butler he is “about that life”

[hpantazo]

Hope Smart get to show Butler he is “about that life”

I hope Smart doesn't get himself ejected or suspended.

[jambr380]

Hope Smart get to show Butler he is “about that life”

I hope Smart doesn't get himself ejected or suspended.

Did anyone see the Butler media interview where he was asked about Smart and him matching up? He basically said that playing against Smart is like playing against any opponent and it isn't about their match-up, but the entirety of the team. I know I am not doing the quote justice, as there was obvious shade being thrown. Smart is going to feast if he sees that.

If Smart isn't on Butler (and he probably shouldn't be - that should be on Brown), then he should match up with Dragic and Kemba should be draped on Robinson or Herro. Smart will completely shut down Dragic.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Dragic is at 21ppg in the playoffs. That's a big reason for their success. Need to slow him down and keep him out of the lane and off his left hand.

So do we think Kemba can do that? If not, do we put Smart on him and switch Kemba to the much taller guy in Robinson?

I'm gonna give the whole, "It's not one player" thing, but it's not. Theis needs to hedge pick-and-rolls effectively while Smart and Walker get around the screen and get back into position. It's also a possibility that CBS uses Tatum's length to bother Dragic on drives.

I'm guessing we'll see a lot of Brown and Smart on Butler. Honestly, Butler can be really passive offensively sometimes.

If everyone stays connected and stays home on the other wing guys, and then crashes the boards, I really think this Heat team's offense won't be great.

[LilRip]

For me, what really makes the Heat scary is their defensive versatility. They match up fairly well with us across the board. Unless Tatum has a cape or we luck into an OG 3-pointer, we’re likely looking at another game 7.

For the C’s to win, they need to contain the 3 pointers. We can weather the Butler show. It’s the 3’s that will push Miami to victory

[ManUp]

For me, what really makes the Heat scary is their defensive versatility. They match up fairly well with us across the board. Unless Tatum has a cape or we luck into an OG 3-pointer, we’re likely looking at another game 7.

For the C’s to win, they need to contain the 3 pointers. We can weather the Butler show. It’s the 3’s that will push Miami to victory

I agree with this 100%

[RockinRyA]

Tim Legler picked us over the Heat. I like Legler, he has been pretty fair to us over the years (as well as the only "expert" who picked us over the Lakers in 08)

[keevsnick]

The dfeenisve matchups are ging to be fascinating just looking at the starters I'd say you go

Thies vs Bam
Brown vs Butler
Tatum vs Dragic
Kemba vs Crowder
Smart vs Robinson

Why? Well The big man matchup is obvious, I guess you could put Brown on Bam some but then you have Theis guarding perimeter players which takes him out of position to protect the paint. Smart could take Butler but big wings are typically the only player type smart doesn't do great against, Jaylen has the strength and length to compete with Butler. The last three are hard, you could probably g an number of ways. You coudl try Smart on Dragic if Tatum ends up not being able to handle him (like we did with Lowry second half of the series), but to start Smart is probably your bets at getting threw screens which makes him useful on the shooter Robinson and Hero. Then "hide" kemba on their least talented offensive player Crowder.

[Somebody]

The dfeenisve matchups are ging to be fascinating just looking at the starters I'd say you go

Thies vs Bam
Brown vs Butler
Tatum vs Dragic
Kemba vs Crowder
Smart vs Robinson

Why? Well The big man matchup is obvious, I guess you could put Brown on Bam some but then you have Theis guarding perimeter players which takes him out of position to protect the paint. Smart could take Butler but big wings are typically the only player type smart doesn't do great against, Jaylen has the strength and length to compete with Butler. The last three are hard, you could probably g an number of ways. You coudl try Smart on Dragic if Tatum ends up not being able to handle him (like we did with Lowry second half of the series), but to start Smart is probably your bets at getting threw screens which makes him useful on the shooter Robinson and Hero. Then "hide" kemba on their least talented offensive player Crowder.

I wouldn't put Tatum on Dragic unless we want Dragic to pour in 30 point bombs throughout the series - Tatum is a traffic cone against speedy guards with skill.

[gouki88]

The dfeenisve matchups are ging to be fascinating just looking at the starters I'd say you go

Thies vs Bam
Brown vs Butler
Tatum vs Dragic
Kemba vs Crowder
Smart vs Robinson

Why? Well The big man matchup is obvious, I guess you could put Brown on Bam some but then you have Theis guarding perimeter players which takes him out of position to protect the paint. Smart could take Butler but big wings are typically the only player type smart doesn't do great against, Jaylen has the strength and length to compete with Butler. The last three are hard, you could probably g an number of ways. You coudl try Smart on Dragic if Tatum ends up not being able to handle him (like we did with Lowry second half of the series), but to start Smart is probably your bets at getting threw screens which makes him useful on the shooter Robinson and Hero. Then "hide" kemba on their least talented offensive player Crowder.

I wouldn't put Tatum on Dragic unless we want Dragic to pour in 30 point bombs throughout the series - Tatum is a traffic cone against speedy guards with skill.

Yeah, Smart has to get Dragic. His craftiness and all his unorthodox left-handed finishes are hard to defend against. Dragic also doesn't draw too many fouls so Smart should be able to play aggressively in that. Hopefully Butler doesn't get Brown in foul trouble

[cman88]

without hayward its more 50-50. If hayward is back I think it puts the C's over the edge.

We have more top end talent IMO.