Potential Playoff Matchups: Miami Heat

by Jeff Clark on Apr 3, 2009 8:20 AM EDT in Boston Celtics Articles

We only have 6 games left to play, but taking a look at the standings shows that we still have no idea who we could be playing in the first round.

Right now we are a game ahead of the Magic for the 2nd seed but that could change with KG out for the next few games (at least). Philly is just a half game ahead of Miami for the 5th seed and Chicago is only a half game behind the Pistons for the 7 seed. So realistically the C's could play one of 4 different teams.

I like our chances to beat any one of them, even if we don't have a full roster. With that said, there are always matchups that are more or less favorable. Every one of these teams has pros (reasons why I'm confident playing against them) and cons (reasons that give me cause for concern).

I'm going to break them each down with posts this week. We'll start with the Miami Heat.

Miami Heat
Celtics leads season series 2-1
Teams play one more time on April 10
Teams will meet if: Miami stays at 6 and C's drop to 3rd
Team Blog: Peninsula is Mightier

Pros: The Heat are still a team in transition. They started off the year with an unhappy Shawn Marion and moved him for Jermaine O'Neal (who has struggled with injures for the last few years). They are a very young team with a rookie point guard and several young rotation guys. Michael Beasley has a lot of potential but he's been up and down all year.

Cons: In a word, Wade. Of all the potential teams we could play in the first round, there's only one team that boasts a star that could win several games all by himself. Quite simply, the man does it all. Also, it is possible that the Heat's youth could be a benefit to them. The C's had issues with a young Hawks team last year and sometimes young teams don't know enough to feel the pressure of the playoffs.

Matchup Highlights: You simply don't guard Wade one-on-one, so the Wade vs. Ray matchup is not really fair. You have to throw everything you've got at him and hope his teammates aren't making shots. Which is problematic when they have a shooter like Cook. On the other hand, who's going to stop Pierce on thier team? If they double him, Pierce has more shooters that can hit open shots (Ray, House, KG).

One matchup to keep an eye on might be the Rondo vs. Chalmers pairing. The two got into a verbal back and forth near the end of the last game and Super Mario hit some big shots down the stretch (in a losing cause).

Conclusion: It would take a tremendous letdown by the Celtics to lose 4 games to this team, but I could see Wade stealing 2 or 3 games with just a little help from his team.

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winnable series

The C’s should win that series 4-1 if Leon, TA and semi-functional KG are available—primarily if Leon and KG are available. (I never predict a sweep — underestimating the opponent usually comes back to bite you)

If KG and Leon are down — C’s win series 4-2.

by slamtheking on Apr 3, 2009 7:34 AM EDT reply actions

If KG is healthy, the Celts are clearly better...

However, who knows what happens if Wade gets super hot (like a couple weeks ago) and the refs decide to put him on the line for 20 FTs per game.

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

by Roy_Hobbs on Apr 3, 2009 7:42 AM EDT reply actions

Without KG, the C's are clearly better

There is a reason Miami has the record it does. All opponents must be respected, but the Heat should not pose a serious challenge. People seem to forget about Atlanta, that they were a much different club after bringing Bibby aboard, so the poor record that landed them the 8th seed was not achieved with the group who faced the C’s in the playoffs. The Hawks record this year is a more accurate reflection. Much like Charlotte who acquired Diaw and Bell mid-season has a record that is worse than their actual team now. If they could make it to #8, they won’t beat the Cavs, but could give them a better series than most #8s would a #1, just like the Hawks last year.

by KJ33 on Apr 3, 2009 8:44 AM EDT reply actions

Rondo and Chalmers got into it in the last game? Yeah I saw that, but I also saw smiles from ear to ear and big man hugs at the end of the game…I dont think theres any bad blood there..

Playing d Wade would be torture.

by TheAncientRivalry on Apr 3, 2009 9:44 AM EDT reply actions

by the way

I forgot to mention that they have a rookie head coach as well

he seems to be doing pretty well, until he gets playoff experience, that’s a wildcard to throw into the mix

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V

by Jeff Clark on Apr 3, 2009 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

The Celtics defense eats apart one dimensional offenses like Miami, and Miami simply don’t have the defense/rebounding to keep it close while their offense struggles.

On the other end, the Celtics have numerous matchup advantages starting with Paul Pierce who Miami cannot guard. Heck, they can’t even guard Leon Powe.

A Boston-Miami series would be a (relatively) easy victory for the C’s

by Who on Apr 3, 2009 4:43 PM EDT reply actions

Scary matchup

D-Wade by himself can push the limit of a first round 7 game series with the Celtics, Also, their youth may keep them around like the Hawks last year against the Celtics. At the end though the Celtics are too good for the Heat

4-1 with KG
4-2 without KG

by dwlefty13 on Apr 5, 2009 2:55 PM EDT reply actions