Six Lessons From Six Games II

Posted by Ryan DeGama on Jun 9, 2012 304265 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2012%2F06%2F09%2Fsix-lessons-from-six-games-ii%2FSix+Lessons+From+Six+Games+II2012-06-09+19%3A21%3A07Ryan+DeGamahttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D30426

3. Kevin Garnett is 7-feet-tall. Doc on KG in game 6: “He made his first post shot and didn’t get one for ten touches.“

The Celtics’ refusal to get Garnett regular post touches in game six stands as one of the more bizarre things that’s happened in this series. Garnett’s proven to be murder when he’s down on the block and the Celtics should be looking to commit multiple homicides tonight. Ideally, Garnett gets 20 shots, with 75% of them being in the paint.

Planting Garnett down low will lead to some swarming blocks for Miami but it will also open up the offense for everyone else and turn attention away from Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce, the other two key shot creators in the halfcourt. And in a game where easy points are going to be at a premium, edging Miami towards the penalty will be important.

When they’re locked in, Dwayne Wade and LeBron James are experts at defending drives without fouling, which is why Pierce and Ray Allen can expect to struggle to get good looks in the lane. The C’s have no such problem with Garnett. Even Chris Bosh can’t stop KG if he’s locked in. He can hinder him, maybe.

One concern: to me, Garnett looked tight in game six, and out of rhythm before the C’s tactical approach kept him out of the post. He has to be willing to be the offensive focal point tonight and go pull down the three offensive rebounds he’s averaged in Boston’s three wins.

Garnett’s been magisterial since the all-star break and they wouldn’t be here without him but the Celtics need a dominant performance from him tonight.

2. Don’t Do Like Wade Do. Anti-Dwayne Wade rumblings seem to be gaining volume as the series draws to a close. I’m not sure they’re fair, considering the Celtics have consistently trapped him and we don’t know the true state of his health. But one area where he’s consistently fallen down is failing to draw fouls on offense and then losing his defensive assignments because he’s too busy yapping to the referees.

The C’s have a history of falling victim to this kind of distraction but also games where they’re able to play through unfavorable calls.

Which team is going to be able to lock in and forget about the officials tonight?

1. It Might Just Come Down To Jumpshots. Pierce played poorly in game 5 and then hit a spectacular shot to ice the game. Wade missed an open three pointer that would have stolen a game for Miami in overtime. LeBron hit all sorts of shots in game 6 no matter the angle or coverage. Rondo hit more jumpers in game two than he did his entire rookie year.

Tonight might just be about who hits what shots.