Preview: Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics

Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat dunks the ball over Courtney Lee #11 of the Boston Celtics on Oct 30th, 2012. The Heat won 120-107.

Was it really 2010 that the Lakers and Celtics squared off in the NBA Finals? This season, it seems that neither has a good shot at making the playoffs. Last season, a match between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics would have had us drooling at the playoff seeding ramifications of the contest. This season, the Heat in all probability have the number of the Celtics. Make no mistake, this is still a matchup to look forward to.

Momentum

The Heat are 28-12 and the Celtics are 20-23. But Boston is in a six game losing skid right now, while LeBron and Wade have been heating it up. Over the last five games, LeBron has been averaging 30.0 points on 61.4 percent shooting. In the same period, Dwyane Wade has netted 23.4 points per game on 57.3 percent shooting. For the Celtics, Rondo has got triple doubles in his last two games but the Celtics have lost both. The Celtics are looking to use their poor performance as a motivator tonight. “Being that we haven’t been playing well, hopefully this could be something that gets us back on track with a big game on Sunday at home,” Paul Pierce said.

Last meeting

The last time these teams met was on opening night on October 30. The Miami Heat got 26 points and 10 rebounds from LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade added 29 points. The Heat went on to win 120-107. For Boston, Paul Pierce led the way with 23 points.

A frosty welcome

Intense, bitter playoff rivals one season, and jumping teams the next season. Ray Allen can look forward to boos interspersed with cheers upon his return to TD Garden. Last time these teams met in Miami, Kevin Garnett didn’t bat an eyebrow when Ray came to greet him. Ray went on to score 19 points to help the Heat win that. This season, Ray Allen is averaging 11.4 points with the Miami Heat while playing 25.5 minutes per game.

Paul Pierce addressed the issue of Ray and the frosty reception he is expected to get. “It is what it is at this point. Fortunately, it’s not a one-on-one bout, Ray against everybody. It’s Boston Celtics versus Miami Heat, and that’s how we look at it.”

Ray has thought about it too, “I’ve thought about it. I think more about who, family-wise, is going, who can go and sorting the whole protocol out. I don’t know what to expect from their side. But it’s an interesting concept because I’ve always gotten a warm welcome, even before I started playing there. I just want to win. Everything else will take care of itself. I’ll savor it, going back and seeing the people you spent so much time with. But if you’re going into a situation thinking about negative perceptions or behavior that’s unbecoming of good sportsmanship, then you just want to get it over with, win the game and get out of there. I don’t want it to distract these guys from everybody doing their job and being ready to play.”

As have the rest of the Miami Heat, “It’s going to be all about Ray,” Heat forward Chris Bosh said. “Celtic fans, they’re very fixated on the rivalry and `How could you do that?’ They’re very passionate.”

The addition of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis has helped the Miami Heat to net 38.6 percent of its 3s this season. They are tied with Golden State for second place in that aspect. It has gutted the Celtics in that Rondo no longer has the luxury of having one of the best spot up shooters at his disposal.

Here’s a look at the positional battle:

Positional battle

Rajon Rondo vs Mario Chalmers

A hall of fame point guard vs, well, Mario Chalmers. Chalmers gets a lot of flak for being just a expendable cog in the Heat machine, but when you are playing with James, Wade and Bosh, it’s expected that a role player is looked down on. Chalmers is a athletic guard who can try to stay with Rondo but this is one position where the Celtics have the number of the Heat. Rajon Rondo, who has logged two consecutive triple-doubles in his last two games, will need to get another one if the Heat are to be staved off.

Here’s a picture of a delusional Celtics fan-

Seriously?

Advantage- Boston

Avery Bradley vs Dwyane Wade

This one is a no-brainer. Dwyane Wade has been averaging 20.8 points per game and will make mincemeat of Avery Bradley. Bradley is a very tenacious defender though and although he can’t match Wade point for point, he can still lock him up better than most guards in the league; as far as it is possible to lock someone like Wade up.

Advantage- Miami

Paul Pierce vs LeBron James

The King rules the roost. LeBron James is the best player on the planet and he is almost always a lock to destroy his matchup. Pierce is a crafty veteran who will get his on offense, but this matchup heavily favours Miami. LeBron is averaging 26.4 points per game and will probably go for 30 in Boston.

Advantage- Miami

Brandon Bass vs Udonis Haslem

This one is close to call. Bass is more of a offensive talent than Haslem, while the latter is seen as a better defender. But Bass has been rebounding very well too and he can eat Haslem’s lunch on offense.

Advantage- Boston

Kevin Garnett vs Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh is averaging 17.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game this season; but over his last five games, he has only averaged 12 points and 6.4 rebounds. While Garnett is the older player, he still is the linchpin of Boston and the vocal leader who energizes his teammates with unknown threats. Garnett is averaging 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and almost 1 block per game and seems to be better placed to make an impact tonight than Bosh.

Advantage- Boston

He’s clearly the more insane one

The Boston Celtics are 13-9 at home, whereas the Heat are just 10-9 on the road. Expect this match to be close regardless of the record of the teams and the losing streak of Boston. “We’re still a confident ballclub. There’s no pointing fingers, and that’s a start,” Pierce said. “Teams go through losing streaks and they start falling apart, pointing fingers, and that’s something you don’t see in this locker room. I think as long as we can continue to do that — stay together, stay positive — we can turn this thing around.”

The Celtics have a good shot at turning things around tonight against a formidable rival. Watch this match at 11:30 PM LIVE on Sony SIX.