Game 2: Celtics at Heat: Open Thread

Posted by Mike Salvucci on May 3, 2011 20114174 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2011%2F05%2F03%2Fgame-2-celtics-at-heat-open-thread%2FGame+2%3A+Celtics+at+Heat%3A+Open+Thread+2011-05-03+21%3A16%3A56Mike+Salvuccihttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D20114

I’m sure you’ve heard of this game that people love to play during the NBA playoff season. It’s called… “You know (blank) isn’t going to (blank) again.”

Here are some examples:

• You know James Jones isn’t going to drop 25 points again.
• You know Kevin Garnett isn’t going to score 6 points on 3-9 shooting again.
• You know Rajon Rondo isn’t playing only 8 minutes in the first half.
• You probably know that Ray Allen isn’t going to shoot lights-out against Dwyane Wade again, although he might.
• And you don’t know this, but after making a few questionable calls against the Celtics in Game 1, maybe you can assume that the referees are going to favor the road team tonight.

Feel free to add your own, but I keep playing this game over and over in my head, and guess what? The Celtics end up winning Game 2 almost every time!

Seriously though, the Celtics have a knack for responding in big games, and Game 2 certainly qualifies as such. Is it a “must-win” game? Probably not, because I’m not sure how “tough” the Heat will be once they’re playing in front of the Boston crowd. But if the Celtics really are a championship team, tonight is the night they need to prove it.

Some things to consider:

KG and Rondo: Have to play better. Simple as that. With Rondo getting into early foul trouble, KG didn’t get enough touches early on, and he never found a comfortable rhythm on offense. The Celtics were left with Pierce and Allen going up against two of the best one-on-one defenders (when they put their minds to it) in the league. It will be difficult for Pierce and Allen to sustain that output throughout the series, so KG and Rondo need to carry more of the scoring load.

Somebody please just stay on James Jones: Despite Wade’s monster game, the combined numbers for James-Wade-Bosh were 67 points on 25-50 FG. Pretty much what you would expect. If Jones’ doesn’t shoot 5-7 from downtown and 10-10 FT’s, then the Celtics probably win the game. Of course, you give Jones credit for knocking down those shots, but how hard is it to guard a guy who never comes within 18 ft. of the basket?

Keep it close: The Celtics were able to cut into Miami’s lead during the 2nd half, but the closest they ever got was 7 points. Crunch-time execution is one of Boston’s greatest strengths, but it has been a struggle for the Heat all season long. Don’t give Miami the luxury of playing with a comfortable lead and never having to battle down-the-stretch.