ESPN seems to think 2 stars can beat the Celtics

[OsirusCeltics]

Stephan A Smith quoted as saying
"Celtics played with heart and championship pride. But that doesn't mean anything, because they are about to get swept"
Other ESPN pundits agreed the Celtics have no chance in this series

ESPN seems to think a depleted Heat team with underperforming role players would steamroll the Celtics. The Heat have not been playing well this whole season. The Celtics match up very well against them

You could look to game 4, where Wade and Lebron exploded for 30+ points each. If the ESPN pundits think both stars can sustain and score 30+ points every game against the Celtics, they are living in fairytale land. With the way the Heat role players have played, Lebron and Wade would have to expend alot of energy to generate points for the team

That Sixers-Celtics series really shed light that defense can win games. Sixers were no were near the Celtics as far as talent, but they kept themselves in the game by not allowing the Celtics to get easy shots. It made the game mucky and slow paced. If the Celtics can make the game mucky against the Heat, they would definitely win this series. The Heat play the best in a fastbreak uptempo game. If the game slows down, the poor Heat halfcourt offense would be exposed. And we all know Lebron's clutchness comes into question when he's in a halfcourt situation

The Key to Celtics winning is:
Rondo and KG... simple

[slamtheking]

ESPN hires a lot of idiots.  Stephen A is a prime example along with Rick Barry's dipstick kid.

would love to see the C's make a promo similar to Bron's "The Decision" where they all announce they're "taking their talents to South Beach for game 1".

[greenpride32]

The Heat waxed the Knicks, and after a slow 1-2 start against the Pacers, they outplayed them soundly for 3 games in a row. 

We had to scratch and claw to get past ATL and PHI. 

I know which team I'm rooting for, but realsiticaly we are the heavy underdog in this series. 

[greenpride32]

The Key to Celtics winning is:
Rondo and KG... simple

You completely contradict yourself by saying that.  So MIA can't beat the C's with 2 stars, but BOS can beat them with 2 stars???

But you're right, we need Rondo and KG, and I'll add in Pierce to play great to have any shot of winning.

[BASS_THUMPER]

The Key to Celtics winning is:
Rondo and KG... simple

You completely contradict yourself by saying that.  So MIA can't beat the C's with 2 stars, but BOS can beat them with 2 stars???

But you're right, we need Rondo and KG, and I'll add in Pierce to play great to have any shot of winning.

we need ray, bass, pietrus...
everybody

[wahz]

The Heat waxed the Knicks, and after a slow 1-2 start against the Pacers, they outplayed them soundly for 3 games in a row.  

We had to scratch and claw to get past ATL and PHI.  

I know which team I'm rooting for, but realsiticaly we are the heavy underdog in this series.  

Well that is all true but New York sucks at this point and was depleted by injuries and Atl is and was far superior to them. As far as Philly and Indiana, Philly is a brutal match up for us and crushed us twice during the season...blew us out of the building. Very athletic which has been a problem for our core 4 hall of famers (do it Rajon!)since 2008. Philly is every bit as good as Indy and it took us 7 games and  Mia 6 to beat Indy...big deal. We could have won every game.

If Avery was healthy, Id pick us in 5 or 6. Without him unfortunately we don't get to see a young player annoy the heck out of D Wade to distraction but we will be in it. These prognosticators must get better ratings saying idiotic things. here we are talking about their foolishness so maybe they are right

[Potapenko Boxout]

Yeah it's pretty safe to say we are significant underdogs in this one. I think the following things need to happen for us to win -

- Someone needs to stop Dwayne Wade. And it's not going to be Rondo. Maybe Ray? For all of the negative press on Ray, he is pretty good at covering superstars. Look at Kobe's 6-19 in game 7 a couple years ago. I just wish we had a couple more days rest in between ugh.

- We need to find a way to render Joel Anthony ineffective by having KG and Bass hit their jumpers to keep JA honest.

- Mike Miller, Chalmers, Battier, et al need to be kept in check. The Celtics tend to allow guys like this to get way too many open threes (see: Hinrich, Kirk)

- KG needs to soundly outplay the forward he is matched up against. SOUNDLY OUTPLAY.

- Pierce needs to stay within 10 points of LBJ on a consistent basis. This is pie in the sky math, I recognize that. But if Pierce can put up 20 a night and keep Lebron running around on D I think that will go a long way.

Most importantly - The Celtics NEED to split the first two games in Miami. i think we have a chance to win this series, especially since the Heat tend to play in the half court(where our D thrives)

This is an exciting time. Let's worry about the draft, pending FA, and next year in a couple of weeks. Let's enjoy the ride.

[SHAQATTACK]

Maybe we'll sneak up on them and win a game.  Even NY won a game .  It would be embrassing not to win a game.

Alot of how the this series goes or the HEAT's game turns out is due to the refs.

Becasue the HEAT dive/drive into the paint (their game) , time and time again, it becomes a game of "WHO" is going to get the foul calls .

Are the refs gonna let the CELTICS protect the paint?  Or will Wade and Bron just be allowed to hurl their bodies into the painted area and live at the free throw line.

The "REFS" control the destiny of this matchup

Will they allow the CELTICS to guard the paint. or will they call a foul everytime somebody "TOUCHS" wade or Bron.

Basically this series is so much about which WAY  FOUL CALLS are made.

No team has a chance much long as the HEAT are allowed to make layups and foul shots all night. The lopsided fouls called on the side of the heat gets really old.  Spo little tantrum was done on purpose , he realizes the Heat can't win unless the foul calling goes his way.

Will STERN let em play ?    

[TheReaLPuba]

If LeBron and Wade get 30 and 30 plus their usual stats then it's going to be tough.

But not having Bosh hurts too.

KG, Pierce, and even Rondo didn't play too well last year against the Heat but of course Rondo was dealing with the elbow injury.

I think this time around both KG and Rondo will have the clear advantage...they just need to play and produce like it.

[angryguy77]

To be fair to Stephen, he did say that if the Celts we're healthy, he probably would have favor.

[ManUp]

Only logically thinking would have the Heat steam rolling the Celtics this series. Luckily, I have decide to abandon logical thinking for the rest of this Celtics season. Celtics sweep the Heat, average margin of victory 15 points. And What?!

[Frontierboy]

We've beaten two young energetic teams already.... Now we face a team that wants to be high energy but are much older in the heat.....keep on mind that Atlanta wasn't an inexperienced team....  I like our chances.... And besides, we are playing with house money at this point... We are on year 5 of a 3 year plan when then big 3 came together......

We played very bad in the Philly series... We played very good in the Atlanta series.... But this team has shown to almost play to the level of their competition.....I predict celtics in 6.... All the pressure is on the heat... We're the under dogs... Nothing to lose cause once again, we are playing with house money at this point

[NoraG1]

ESPN bias toward Miami is ridiculous they even have the 'Heat Index' on their site which pretty much shows their unprofessional bias.

I agree with Shaqattack, it comes down to the refs and stern. Will the C's be allowed to defend? I hope so but knowing the nba, probably not. Lebron and Wade are allowed to do everything they want.

[cman88]

the funny thing is, less than 2 weeks ago those same pundits were wondering if the heat could get by Indiana...and im sure those same pundits gave the Mavs no chance against the Heat

the celtics should be underdogs in this series...but to say the Heat will sweep them and steamroll is rediculous. losing bradley hurts, but our defense isnt built around 1 or two guys...its team defense...everyone has to work together to limit lebron and wade..the Heat have a putrid half-court offense and the C's have probably one of the best half-court defenses in the league.

the Celtics have a large advantage at Point guard and Center offensively. the heat had absolutely NO answer for Rondo/KG in the regular season and I dont see them finding one now..if the y can dominate their matchups and Pierce, ray, bass and the bench can step up..I think we have more than a punchers chance.

[bruinsandceltics]

The Heat waxed the Knicks, and after a slow 1-2 start against the Pacers, they outplayed them soundly for 3 games in a row.  

We had to scratch and claw to get past ATL and PHI.  

I know which team I'm rooting for, but realsiticaly we are the heavy underdog in this series.  

Well that is all true but New York sucks at this point and was depleted by injuries and Atl is and was far superior to them. As far as Philly and Indiana, Philly is a brutal match up for us and crushed us twice during the season...blew us out of the building. Very athletic which has been a problem for our core 4 hall of famers (do it Rajon!)since 2008. Philly is every bit as good as Indy and it took us 7 games and  Mia 6 to beat Indy...big deal. We could have won every game.

If Avery was healthy, Id pick us in 5 or 6. Without him unfortunately we don't get to see a young player annoy the heck out of D Wade to distraction but we will be in it. These prognosticators must get better ratings saying idiotic things. here we are talking about their foolishness so maybe they are right

You do realize that Miami is even more Athletic than Philly right?