Barring a major upset of epic historical proportions, the Celtics will be facing the Miami Heat in the second round. Here are some of my thoughts as we prepare for what should be an exciting series:

1. I hope for the best and expect the worst for Shaq. The worst case scenario is not that bad though as J.O. has been very solid of late.
2. The main advantage the Heat have over the Celtics are, obviously, their Big Three. The Celtics on the other hand will have an edge in coaching, match ups at the point and the five, and, if all goes well, the bench...
3. Speaking of the bench, they have been a non-factor of late. The Knicks game was promising but not enough. Krstic and West's performances on the Heat's end of the floor and Big Baby and Green's defense will be key to victory...
4. Krstic is probably the most important player in this series after the Big Four, J.O. and Shaq (if he does return). He will keep Big Baby off the center position, provide six fouls and give the Heat different looks in one of their worst positions. 
5. Continuing with the bench, there is potential for Pavlovic, Arroyo and Von Wafer to have a role in this series:
6. Pavlovic is a decent defender and can stretch the floor well. Being able to eat up minutes at the two and the three is invaluable in this series.
7. Arroyo knows the Heat's offense. Plus, you also know what he's going to give you: a few good possessions and some mistakes, cancelling out to net a small positive. Allowing Rondo and injury-prone Delonte West to rest will definitely help.
8. Last but definitely not least, Von Wafer. In Wafer's last meeting with the Heat, he went 4-5 from the field hitting 2-3 three-pointers in under 14 minutes of playing time after going 3-6 for eight against the Lakers. Both times Von Wafer displayed active defense. His aggressiveness on both ends of the floor is just incredible. If Doc decides to give Von Wafer playing time, I'd bet that he would emerge as a dark horse.
9. Troy Murphy is a bust.
10. The Celtics beat the Heat thrice this season. The first two times without Perkins, the third time with Paul Pierce having no field goals and Shaq out. 
11. Rondo had double digit assists in the three of the Heat's defeats.
12. They don't have Nate Robinson, Marquis Daniels and possibly (hopefully not), Shaq this time, who all contributed in those Heat games, but gained Delonte West, Jeff Green, Jermaine O'Neal and Nenad Krstic.
13. The Celtics have been improving their FG% gradually in the Knicks series. Good sign.
14. Doc Rivers can coach! In the first three games, the Knicks got a few second chance looks that made it real ugly. In this game, everybody who played snatched at least five rebounds. Spoelstra can't touch that.
15. Go 76ers!
16. Go Celtics!