I've been optimistic recently, but this game doesn't look good for the Celtics. The Heat have won six in a row and appear to be jelling under Pat Riley. While their defense is never going to be all-world, they can put up points in a hurry. -Shaq has finally started his season. He's still not nearly as consistent as he once was, but there isn't anybody we can really throw at him, with Perk out. -Wade can do everything but defend. He'll break into the passing lanes every now and then. He's not a long range shooter, but he's so quick that it doesn't matter. -We know Antoine's game. He'll be gunning for the Celts in this one, but he's pretty mediocre in his old age. Not nearly as fast as he once was, so he doesn't help in transition much anymore. -Jason Williams is a pretty good point guard. Again, he's a poor defender and he doesn't rebound at all, but he's got a deep game, can pass, and can penetrate. His mid range game is also better than people expect, he just doesn't rely on it much. -Udonis Haslem isn't as good as Ryan Gomes has been playing, but their games are very similar. Some of that weak side and positional rebounding isn't going to be there for the Celts, especially on the offense end. -Gary Payton will talk a lot. He scores when people forget about him, otherwise he does veteran things. -Alonzo Mourning will make me angry. Imagine being at work and doing that fist pump every time you did something right? That's right, it's dumb. I'm sorry about your kidneys. But just play the game already. I don't care if you want to celebrate that really sweet rebound you got with nobody else on your end of the court. -Riley probably won't let his team loose until later into the game. He knows that if he plays slow, the Celts will get into foul trouble, and that their bench is short. He also has Shaq, so slow ball is a legit way to keep the Celts from getting into their transition game, which has been better lately. -If Doc wants to play slow, too, we're in trouble. We could finally see Dwayne Jones. To win the Celts have to: -Force the guards to make mistakes. Williams will turn the ball over if you pressure him. -Front Shaq effectively. He can't jump as well anymore, so it's not as easy to get the ball into the post. -Get Pierce untracked early. He can earn foul shots against this team, if they can get him free of Posey. -Wally on the perimeter early, inside later. Vice versa if a guard defends him. -Try to keep the rebounding margin close. -Pray that Wade doesn't go nuts. -Move the ball and keep it mid range. Shaq won't come out, so Raef will have opportunities here. Anything can happen...Because Belichick's at the game. Coach!
There we go So far so good. First timeout and Celts are leading. Everything's coming on jumpers. Celtics are running and Miami wants it slow. -We should see Payton in soon for Williams. -Ryan Gomes! -Keep fronting Shaq. -Where's Al?
Yup, great signs so far. Great play from all the C's, especially Pierce and Gomes. Antoine just checked in to a mixture of boos and cheers.
Get em thinking This Heat team can be divided. It's all on Pat Riley. Wally defending Wade is an interesting choice. Wade might score seventy. Riley will come out and try to play faster ball soon.
Rusty Al as expected. Not sure it's fair for him to play center against Miami. He also committed one of the worst walks I've seen all year, but then lifted Mourning real bad. It made me happy inside.
Again like Toronto Miami coming out like there not trying but they'll wake up and play like they can. Mourning in early foul trouble not good but we'l pull it out.
Hard to say All of these fouls Wade is getting will be Pierce's later on. That will change the pacing and give Miami the advantage for a little while. Then it will be Boston's if they hold on. Boston's shown a ton of heart lately. Not something Miami's known for.
Stupid Basketball currently being played by the Celtics. Pierce is once again trying to do too much. Doc Rivers needs to get them back into a set. Uh-oh. Even I don't want Wade to be hurt.
Interesting Half Celts up by two at the half. Miami really hasn't brought their fastball yet. So, the Celts are going to have to work hard to hold on. Pierce had a great first quarter, but has slowed down considerably in the second. He gets ahead of himself. Especially with shots early in the clock when he's excited. Gomes is still playing out of his mind. He's a smart player, and that makes a huge difference. As expected, Wally can't defend Wade, but he's been scoring enough to keep it relatively even. Al's talent once again conquers his lack of game experience. Comparing Al to Gomes feels unfair. If only we had a player with both of their good points. For a home game, the free throw discrepancy is a little ridiculous. I believe that will change when Pierce starts to drive more in the second half. Because the Celts hit more of their's, free shooting could be the difference. Delonte's not comfortable. He's settling for jumpers when he doesn't need to, because he's turnover shy on the drive.
Still keeping it close Despite not moving the ball well at all. The transition offense is keeping it closer I don't think that Miami will be able to beat Detroit with this kind of transition defense. Delonte needs to show up. Still inconsistent. Jumpers aren't really falling for anybody right now.
I got your run right here. Delonte!!!!!! Three treys in the fourth. And the crowd's in it. He picked up the pace and they got it close. Now Doc just has to keep em moving.
Miami Final That was a heck of a game. Ironically Antoine ended up being the difference. Jason Williams was good as well. But Shandon Anderson was the one who kept the game close for Miami. It's bench guys like him that really end up making the difference. -Pierce played a great game again. -Doc was ok. He should never have let them walk the ball up for any reason, as Miami's defense took time to set up. When they started walking up, the Heat pulled away. -Gomes really couldn't get going, but was still good. We're a little spoiled by him at this point. -Al had good numbers, but he's still limping, and he's still too much of a liability on defense. -Wally disappeared in the second half. You can tell that his knee in his bothering him . He was also asked to do a lot defending Wade. -Delonte made a run in the fourth, but he's gotta be a better point guard, and not a shooting guard. Your power forward shouldn't lead the team in assists. Again West had trouble with halfcourt pressure. -Tony Allen hasn't really brought much. Without his defensive quickness he really isn't that useful. The Celts showed their heart again, but Miami is a good team and showed it. Superior rebounding helped them get extra possessions, and they took advantage.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting postpoint:</div><div class="quote_post">-Then things get a lot tougher. Three games against Miami. The Heat are on a tear right now. But they aren't that great on the road, two of these games are in boston, and one is the last game of the season. My belief is that Miami will be resting by then. If the Celts win tonight, then the whole story changes. 1-2 (9-5)</div> Even with the loss you're playoff predictions are still intact postpoint. I think having Perkins available for the game would have made the difference tonight.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Even with the loss you're playoff predictions are still intact postpoint. I think having Perkins available for the game would have made the difference tonight.</div> I hate to say I told you so, but didn't I say, months ago, that this individual knew his basketball? I'd like to say that we have a potential MIP on our hands, with an honorable mention going to our boy Piggy.
I don't think i've really IMPROVED per se. I do like to think though that im a leading candidate for "comeback player of the year"!
