Celtics (6-2) at Heat (5-3) 11/11

[j804]

I think Miami is going adopt the LA strategy and defend Rondo with Wade this time instead of having him chase Allen around. I know I would if I were Spolstra.

Ray Allen would love to have Arroyo defending him!

Not always the case. We always say ah well Ray would love to have Fisher on him when LA does it - fact is they usually are quick enough to at least keep up with him.

[makaveli]

I think Miami is going adopt the LA strategy and defend Rondo with Wade this time instead of having him chase Allen around. I know I would if I were Spolstra.

Ray Allen would love to have Arroyo defending him!

Not always the case. We always say ah well Ray would love to have Fisher on him when LA does it - fact is they usually are quick enough to at least keep up with him.

In that case, when he can't get wide open, he need's to go for a position that will give him superior driving position, witch he rarelly does.
We got this, Miami is weak and they will look to individualy solve a problem of Cetics defense and they will fail.
Go Celtics

[nba is the worst]

"The Heat won't lose two in a row all year"- Jeff Van Gundy

How great is it that not only do we have a chance to prove him wrong, but to do so while he's there calling the game! 

Wow - cool!

[Spilling Green Dye]

I don't have a good feeling about this game   

Not to be a conspiracy theorist, but wouldn't it be great for the league if Miami wins and "settles the score in the East", as well as end some of the doubt surrounding the Heat right now?  And don't you think that Dwayne Wade will get (even) more favorable calls while at Home? 

If the Celtics are going to win this game, they will need some serious presence down low... i.e. Shaq.  Fortunately KG is looking better and will definitely help.

[Who]

I think Miami is going adopt the LA strategy and defend Rondo with Wade this time instead of having him chase Allen around. I know I would if I were Spolstra.

Ray Allen would love to have Arroyo defending him!

Agreed -- there is no way that Arroyo can defend Ray Ray. He won't be used to chasing players off screens + he is far too small to contest Ray's jump shots. That means easy look after easy look for Ray. Just like Chalmers gave him in the first round last year.

Miami have to give up something in the backcourt. It's either Ray or Rondo. There is simply no way for them to stop both. They don't have the players, strong enough individual defenders to cover three perimeter positions or strong enough interior team defense. They just can't do it, they have to give something up.

Rajon Rondo is the bigger threat, he should be their priority. They should give up a big offensive night from Ray.

[Who]

I think Miami is going adopt the LA strategy and defend Rondo with Wade this time instead of having him chase Allen around. I know I would if I were Spolstra.

But who will assume the duty of chasing Ray around? Fisher did it better than Kobe, so it made sense for LA to do it.

Wade could probably defend Rondo as well as any PG could, but I don't see anyone on Miami's roster capable of staying with Ray all game long.

Plugging up one hole opens another when you play 3 vs 5 in the NBA.

Kobe actually did a much better job defensively than Fisher did, that's why they switched him onto Ray after his hot Game 2 first half.

Once Ray stopped hitting shots after that game they were able to get away with Fisher on Ray.

Either way James Jones or Mike Miller can chase Ray around. Ray is much less of  a threat to the Heat's defense than Rondo.

James Jones might be able to do a passable job but Mike Miller won't be. He'll struggle just as much as the short PGs because Miller doesn't get through screens well and he doesn't have the quickness to stay with Ray. He does have some extra length which will bail him out on occasion but overall, Ray will get a large number of open looks while playing against M.Miller's defense.

James Jones and shifting LeBron or Wade to the point is their best defensive combination against Boston's starting trio on the perimeter. LeBron has to stay on Pierce, he is the only able to defend Paul. Jones isn't quick enough to check Rondo so Wade has to take the assignment. Jones is a mediocre defender (so Ray should still get good opportunities) but he's the best option they got.

[ACF]

TP.



Go Celtics!

[Spilling Green Dye]

Yeah I had posted a few hours ago in the game thread that if we don't have shaq back then I don't like our chances. 

Also, I don't think Doc would start Semih, I think he'd start Davis.  A steady Center rotation of Semih & Davis = disaster against Miami. 

KG & PP have picked up their rebounding by default I think.  When the centers aren't good at rebounding and the ball is there for the taking, it makes it easier to increase your numbers lol. 

My god I can't wait to get a fully healthy team!!!

[j804]

Yeah I had posted a few hours ago in the game thread that if we don't have shaq back then I don't like our chances. 

Also, I don't think Doc would start Semih, I think he'd start Davis.  A steady Center rotation of Semih & Davis = disaster against Miami. 

KG & PP have picked up their rebounding by default I think.  When the centers aren't good at rebounding and the ball is there for the taking, it makes it easier to increase your numbers lol. 

My god I can't wait to get a fully healthy team!!!

Sad thing is that may never be the case.

[Q_FBE]

All I can say is good luck with this tough game. Having two days rest should help with the energy level. My feeling is that Lebron get his and shut everyone else out and make him take all the shots.

[fairweatherfan]

Rondo is the key to the game - if he plays at an all-league level we probably win; if not we probably don't. 

I'm curious to see if Bosh plays as scared tonight as he did on Opening Night.  Hope so.

[Drucci]

Rondo is the key to the game - if he plays at an all-league level we probably win; if not we probably don't. 

I'm curious to see if Bosh plays as scared tonight as he did on Opening Night.  Hope so.

He always play scared against KG, so no worry here!

I think we will see both O'Neal playing in this one, but with limited minutes for each. Their contributions will definitely be needed since we need our bigs to dominate this game. Same goes with Rondo, I hope he dishes 20 assists tonight.

Anyway it's an exciting game, I have to wake up early tomorrow and will probably be tired because of the time difference but I don't care, I can't watch this game on replay.

TP FL and go Celtics!!

[jarufu]

I hope neither of the O'Neals play and we still win .. that, I would really enjoy! 

[snowball]

My gut tells me this will be a signature game for
Shaquille O'Neal.

Shaq becomes a Celtic tonight.

[Change]

Chalking this one as a LOSE.

Even if C's play well, NBA won't allow The Chosen Ones to lose twice to the OLD CELTICS. The Future of the NBA rides on the THE HEAT dynasty. To do that, they have to sell da people on da Heat. Celtics will get absolutely hosed tonight not by the Heat but by the refs. 5v8