The Miami Heat and Boston Celtics get ready to start the best-of-seven series as the Eastern Conference Finals tipoff tonight in Miami.
Both teams are coming off tough series. The Celtics are fresh off their Game 7 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers and the Heat wrapped their series against the Indiana Pacers last Thursday.
Similar to the Western Conference Finals matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, this is one series that could go down to the wire.
The Celtics held the 3-1 advantage during the regular season. They were one of three teams to take the regular season series from the Heat when playing 3 or more games against them. One of the other three teams was the Washington Wizards, who took two of three games during the regular season.
This shows how, at times, the Miami team lacks focus. They are a far superior in skill and talent than the Wizard, but they can let games get away from them.
With the best duo in basketball, the Heat did a great job bouncing back against the Pacers. The team looked in disarray back in Game 3 when Erik Spoelstra and Dwayne Wade had an altercation. Wade scored only five points as the Heat went on to lose that game.
In the next three games Lebron James went to score 98 points, averaging close to 33 points a game. He was closely defended by Pacers' forward, Danny Granger, in a series that eventually became too physical. Wade recuperated in Game 6 and went on to score 41, once again proving that when he is at his best, he can score at will and against anybody.
The Celtics won Game 7 with a great game from Rajon Rondo, who is always the key to their success. The Celtics starting five was in double figures for the first time in the Conference Semifinals agains the Sixers. Rondo led the way with 10 assists and hit a dagger three late in the game.
They will need similar performances from Rondo to compete in this series and move on to the Finals. During the regular season the Celtics scored just over 50% from the floor and from beyond the arc. While holding the Heat to a 43% field goal percentage and just under 38% from three.
The Celtics hold the edge in length as the Heat do not seem to have a physical presence that can match Kevin Garnett's. With Chris Bosh out and still unsure of his return, the Celtics have to let Garnett take over and score.
Much has been made about the Celtics aging and not being able to keep up with the younger teams in the league. They were able to compete against a younger and quicker Sixers team, but the Heat are not the Sixers.
They will have to be more physical in this series since the Heat can race up and down the court, penetrate through the defense and make easy buckets. The Heat are not going to settle for the outside jumper the way the Sixers did throughout the series.
If the Heat are able to run and space the floor, the Celtics will not be able to contain Lebron and Wade.
Game 1 will be tonight in Miami. Tipoff is set just after 8:30 PM eastern time.
