Celtics First Round Opponent is.....the Miami Heat

[Donoghus]

So, Miami holds on against NJ and now has the honor of playing our Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.

Any initial thoughts or predictions?

Gotta think its gonna be more difficult than a Bucks series would've been.  The thought of D-Wade getting 20-25 FT attempts is scary. 

[PosImpos]

Yeah, it's going to be a tough series to watch.  A lot of free throws on a lot of questionable fouls.

The Celtics should be able to pull it out (we didn't lose to the Heat this year, right?).  We'll see though.

Considering how this season has gone, I expect Jermaine O'Neal to suddenly play like he did 5 years ago or Beasley to finally play like a #2 overall pick with fire and intensity, or Carlos Arroyo to light Rondo up for 20+ points in Game 1.  How many points per game will Wade average?  30?  35?

Or maybe the C's will surprise us!

[barefacedmonk]

Celtics in 6...DWade will go on to have monster games but we'll prevail in 6.

[jdpapa3]

Yea, people make a lot out of the Wade ft attempts, but the NBA had a good chance at a Lebron/Wade series last year and Wade only averaged 8 ft attempts per game.

Recent Pierce should burn QRich. I am genuinely curious how the Beasley/Garnett matchup will go. Carlos Arroyo is possibly the worst defensive pg in the league and Rondo should get by him with ease.

I think our team D should force Wade into a lot of bad shots and a low % a la Kobe, Lebron, and Rose of recent years' playoffs. I like Thibodeau's schemes in situations like this.

[Ray3Allen]

Good thing Wade is not a very good free throw shooter

[PosImpos]

Yea, people make a lot out of the Wade ft attempts, but the NBA had a good chance at a Lebron/Wade series last year and Wade only averaged 8 ft attempts per game.

Recent Pierce should burn QRich. I am genuinely curious how the Beasley/Garnett matchup will go. Carlos Arroyo is possibly the worst defensive pg in the league and Rondo should get by him with ease.

I think our team D should force Wade into a lot of bad shots and a low % a la Kobe, Lebron, and Rose of recent years' playoffs. I like Thibodeau's schemes in situations like this.

All of what you said is true and makes sense, but after this long season I'm not sure I have any faith in logic anymore; anytime I spend time reasoning how / why the Celtics should be able to succeed, they prove me wrong.

But let's hope reason prevails.

[Mr October]

I expect the Celtics to win in 7, despite Wade averaging 15 free throw attempts per game.

[ManUp]

predictions... There will be blood.

Celtics in 7 and that's the homer in me talking.

[misha]

Wade will get his numbers no matter what. Limiting the othe guys will be the key. Rondo over Arroyo is a big advantage.

Celtics in 6.

[jdpapa3]

 but after this long season I'm not sure I have any faith in logic anymore; anytime I spend time reasoning how / why the Celtics should be able to succeed, they prove me wrong.

But let's hope reason prevails.

Yea, good point. Logic like "it would make sense to go for the 3 seed" ends up in lame losses to the Knicks and Wizards.

[Donoghus]

As much as many of us complain and lament that we're in for a long and hard-faught series, it's always pretty fun to play one of the game's elite players in a playoff series. 

Don't get me wrong, it's scary but it's still kind've a privilege.

Think about it, since this version of the Big Three arrived on the scene we've been fortunate enough to see them in a playoff series going up against Lebron, Kobe, and now Wade.  3 of the game's very best.  Too bad Durant's in the West. 

[Redz]

Celts in 5

[Lucky17]

Celts in 5

Ditto.

[j804]

Obviously heat didnt have Wade tonight, but even then could barely put away the Nets. Im not scared of them at all. I can already see Rondo dominating Arroyo.

[Tough Juice]

Miami in 6, I'm sorry but that's reality