Author Topic: Can we beat the Heat?  (Read 4441 times)

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Can we beat the Heat?
« on: April 03, 2012, 06:24:34 PM »

Offline Celtics18

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I'm aware that many fans and media types alike were of the opinion that the best thing for this team would be to blow it up at the trade deadline and start over immediately.

One of the main reasons for taking that position seemed to be that we had zero chance of beating the Miami Heat (or, the Bulls, for that matter)in a seven game playoff series and advancing anywhere past the second round.  So, there was no point in even trying.

I'm wondering if Sunday's performance changed anyone's mind on our chances against Miami.  It's been my position all along that our team, while certainly the underdog, has a reasonable shot at upsetting Miami in the playoffs.

I'm trying not to get carried away, but I have to admit that our convincing victory over them on Sunday has only strengthened my belief that the Celtics can beat those guys in a playoff series.

Any thoughts on how we stack up against the Heat?

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PG: G. Hill/D. Schroder
SG: C. Lee/B. Hield/T. Luwawu
SF:  Giannis/J. Lamb/M. Kuzminskas
PF:  E. Ilyasova/J. Jerebko/R. Christmas
C:    N. Vucevic/K. Olynyk/E. Davis/C. Jefferson

Re: Can we beat the Heat?
« Reply #1 on: April 03, 2012, 06:39:25 PM »

Offline LooseCannon

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I have not wavered from my belief that the Celtics are the team with the second-best chance, behind the Bulls, of beating the Heat.  There was no time during this season that I felt otherwise.
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Re: Can we beat the Heat?
« Reply #2 on: April 03, 2012, 06:44:28 PM »

Offline j804

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If we continue to play like we have we can beat anybody. It'll be tough keeping things going throughout the playoffs but looking at the east as it stands why not.
"7ft PG. Rondo leaves and GUESS WHAT? We got a BIGGER point guard!"-Tommy on Olynyk


Re: Can we beat the Heat?
« Reply #3 on: April 03, 2012, 06:53:41 PM »

Offline bruinsandceltics

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As has been for the past 3 years, if we can stay healthy we can beat anyone.

Re: Can we beat the Heat?
« Reply #4 on: April 03, 2012, 06:55:11 PM »

Offline Donoghus

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I still don't quite like the Celtics odds in a 7 game series (with no HCA) against Miami although I feel a lot better than I did about a month ago.  

If I had to peg a percentage chance on beating MIA?  Probably somewhere in the high 20s/low 30s right now.  Not gonna stop me from hoping like heck it happens, though.


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Re: Can we beat the Heat?
« Reply #5 on: April 03, 2012, 07:08:30 PM »

Online Who

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Nah, I don't think so.

But I am looking forward to finding out more about how these two teams fare against one another in the next two regular meetings. I'll revisit the idea of Boston upsetting Miami or Chicago then. But for now ... no, I haven't seen enough out of this team to convince me that they can beat Miami or Chicago in a seven game series. They still look a player (an impact player) short to me.

Re: Can we beat the Heat?
« Reply #6 on: April 03, 2012, 07:21:00 PM »

Offline SHAQATTACK

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If Lebron breaks his leg , yea I think so. ;D

Re: Can we beat the Heat?
« Reply #7 on: April 03, 2012, 07:30:28 PM »

Offline Smutzy#9

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If we stay healthy and get pietrus back I rekon we can push them. Never count out the heart of the Celtics

Rondo to get revenge and triple double every game to spit in Wades face after last year.

Re: Can we beat the Heat?
« Reply #8 on: April 03, 2012, 07:40:04 PM »

Offline CelticsFanNC

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   I'd love to believe anything can happen and Miami is flawed but if we go back to playing old and slow we wont get to Miami IMO.

  We need easy baskets to compete with the best teams. 

Re: Can we beat the Heat?
« Reply #9 on: April 03, 2012, 08:04:28 PM »

Offline cman88

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it would be tough and I have a hard time seeing them beat miami in a 7 game series, but lets be honest. did any of us see Dallas beating them in the finals last year?? and what we did to the heat last sunday was very similar to how the Mav's played them last year. just substitute Dirk for Rondo.

I think we are better equipped to go up against the Heat this year..Health bearing of course.

besides the fact that we had rondo on one arm...last year who did we have at center?? JO and BBD?? KG and Steimsma is a better center rotation...and throw in bass as well and we have a better big's rotation to clog the paint.

also, last year we didnt really have any defensive Wings to throw at Wade/Lebron....espeically Wade...he was the one who really killed us in that series. Now, we can throw Bradley and Pietrus at him to hopefully keep him in check.

Re: Can we beat the Heat?
« Reply #10 on: April 03, 2012, 08:06:15 PM »

Offline Mr October

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Going back to the pre-season, I thought the C's were the 3rd best team in the East. I still think they are.

If the Celtics are healthy they absolutely have a shot at pulling the upset.

Odds are against 'em for sure though.

Re: Can we beat the Heat?
« Reply #11 on: April 03, 2012, 08:08:00 PM »

Offline j804

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it would be tough and I have a hard time seeing them beat miami in a 7 game series, but lets be honest. did any of us see Dallas beating them in the finals last year?? and what we did to the heat last sunday was very similar to how the Mav's played them last year. just substitute Dirk for Rondo.

I think we are better equipped to go up against the Heat this year..Health bearing of course.

besides the fact that we had rondo on one arm...last year who did we have at center?? JO and BBD?? KG and Steimsma is a better center rotation...and throw in bass as well and we have a better big's rotation to clog the paint.

also, last year we didnt really have any defensive Wings to throw at Wade/Lebron....espeically Wade...he was the one who really killed us in that series. Now, we can throw Bradley and Pietrus at him to hopefully keep him in check.
Well said spot on.
"7ft PG. Rondo leaves and GUESS WHAT? We got a BIGGER point guard!"-Tommy on Olynyk


Re: Can we beat the Heat?
« Reply #12 on: April 03, 2012, 08:09:26 PM »

Offline Mr October

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it would be tough and I have a hard time seeing them beat miami in a 7 game series, but lets be honest. did any of us see Dallas beating them in the finals last year?? and what we did to the heat last sunday was very similar to how the Mav's played them last year. just substitute Dirk for Rondo.

I think we are better equipped to go up against the Heat this year..Health bearing of course.

besides the fact that we had rondo on one arm...last year who did we have at center?? JO and BBD?? KG and Steimsma is a better center rotation...and throw in bass as well and we have a better big's rotation to clog the paint.

also, last year we didnt really have any defensive Wings to throw at Wade/Lebron....espeically Wade...he was the one who really killed us in that series. Now, we can throw Bradley and Pietrus at him to hopefully keep him in check.

Not to mention a 1 armed Rondo. In the playoffs there is no doubt that in rondo I trust!

Re: Can we beat the Heat?
« Reply #13 on: April 03, 2012, 08:29:06 PM »

Offline Q_FBE

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I think My Hammy has their switch flipped off at this point. Apparently, they are going through the motions. Still there are good match ups for the Celtics to take advantage of and sound team play will keep us competitive against any NBA team. I am liking the Celtics more as the season goes on.
The beatings will continue until morale improves

Re: Can we beat the Heat?
« Reply #14 on: April 03, 2012, 08:30:16 PM »

Offline Eddie20

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If Lebron breaks his leg , yea I think so. ;D

Why not? We are better now than we were when we met them in the playoffs and let's look at those results:

Game 1: Close game late, but Pierce was ejected and they pulled away.
Game 2: Another close loss in which were only down 5 to start the 4.
Game 3: Rondo gets injured. We ride the emotion and blow them out by 16.
Game 4: We lost in OT
Game 5: We had a lead in the 4th, but once again they pulled away.

The Heat do have their issues. They're struggling at the wrong time and today Anthony was removed from the starting lineup in favor of the newly acquired Turiaf.

During the playoffs we went with an 8 man rotation. The players that aren't on this year's team are JO, West, Baby, and Green. Those players were replaced by Steimsma, Bradley, Bass, and Pietrus.

JO vs Steimsma

JO is a better post defender, but against the Heat that post D is pretty much useless. That said, I would give the edge to Steimsma for the hustle and energy he brings to the table.

Green vs Pietrus

Green struggled adapting to his role, while Pietrus (hopefully back from injury) has become the long sought out Posey replacement. I would give the edge to Pietrus because of the way he adapted to the team despite Green's obvious superior talent. This doesn't mean I would take Pietrus over Green, just means that I think this year's Pietrus was better than the Green we saw in a Celtic uniform last year.

West vs Bradley

West played well during the Miami series, but I would also take the current Celtic here because of Bradley's superior D. West does play above average D, but Wade went off on him and Allen in a way that I don't think he can do on Bradley.

Davis vs Bass

No contest. Davis was looking for a contract and continued to fire away jumpers that weren't falling. Bass and it's not close.