Rotation vs Orlando

[CoachBo]

Any rotation adjustments you make - and I make none right now - are done because of defensive reasons. Nothing else.

At this point, though, I don't break up the rhythm of the current group unless I have to.

[fairweatherfan]

I'm guessing we might see a little bit more of Sheldon if fouls start adding up, and maybe some of Finley to give us another perimeter shooter, but otherwise more or less the same.

[Bankshot]

God help us if BBD could actually elevate with a rebound and dunk..like Leon Powe or Sheldon can, without a step ( in BBDs case 10 steps, a small ladder and a bucket of chicken on the rim)( or a small trampoline!)

TP for you.  The "bucket of chicken" line made me laugh out loud.

BBD usually plays well against Orlando.

[ScoobyDoo]

I don't knwo if it will change but I think it should.

My biggest fear with orlando is that they have good depth and youth at the wing spots with  Barnes, Pietrus, Reddick and Anderson and Carter applies pressure as well.

I don't want to see Pierce and Ray carrying too many minutes, it will wear them down as the series goes on.

I'd obviously go with TAllen as much as I can get away with.

I'd also give Marquis some run and see how it goes. he could b ea good match up with some of their wings on offense and defense.

I'd alo get Nate in there. He's a good match up against Nelson and I think he'd torch Jason Williams on offense.

But the main reason I'd use Nate a bit more is too make sure Rondo gets enough rest.

Shelden if need be with Howard or Bass.

Basically, I think we can win this series going a bit deeper into our bench with added benefit of being a bit fresher for the finals if we win the ECF.   

[Fafnir]

I think we're going to have to keep riding the starters Scooby, they have the advantage if you're talking about depth.

[Birdbrain]

I would suspect pretty much the same rotation. 8 guys allows for more than enough rest.

I'm looking for PP to have a big series.

You can have 15 good guys but, if the others teams top players are better, you most likely will lose.  So with that, C's in 6.

[Jon]

I like the idea of playing small for 10-15 mpg, which would likely either mean more minutes for Finley or adding Daniels into the rotation. 

Why?

Because Perk, Wallace, and Davis got themselves into foul trouble against Cleveland.  It'll likely be worse against Howard.  Moreover, while Rashard Lewis is tall, he largely plays like he's 6-5. 

So if Perk gets two quick fouls, I wouldn't mind seeing TA come in for him, slide KG onto Howard and Pierce onto Lewis.  That way we can save Wallace and Davis from early foul trouble and we can also save KG from having to chase around Lewis.

Again, I wouldn't do this for long stretches, but 10 mpg or so could help. 

KG covering Howard is a disaster for us. Kg doesn't have the strength to deny Howard position. It would be either a dunk, foul, or and1 eight times out of 10.

Maybe.  But there are plenty of starting centers in the NBA far inferior to KG in terms of size and strength and certainly defensive ability. 

I'm certainly not saying it's an ideal matchup.  I'm simply saying that we may need to go to a fourth big man to guard Howard since he may well get Perk, Wallace, and BBD into foul trouble.  Could we go to Shelden?  Sure.  However, I'm not sure he's a net gain over KG.  Sure Shelden is thicker; however, he's a inferior overall defender and he certainly wouldn't cause Howard the headaches that KG would cause Howard on the defensive end (KG would hit 18 footers all day or Rondo/PP would have the lane open). 

Let's also keep in mind that Rashard Lewis isn't the easiest defensive assignment for KG either.

[guava_wrench]

series comes down to 3 things

1. KG must defend the 3 on lewis and must take him into the post like he did vs the cavs

2. perk has to hold his own man up on howard

3. rondo must defend nelson..esp on the 3 and the transition jumper


not worried really about celtics offense....if they play defense they win this series

Successfully playing defense is the hard part. Orlando plays completely different than Miami and Clev. They actually rotate the ball. We are better at defending teams like Miami and CLev. This will be a challenge.