The Miami Heat's Game 1 victory over the Boston Celtics proved that they are more than capable of winning this series. The Heat were able to outplay a weakened Celtics team. The Celtics will have to redeem themselves in Game 2 with a more aggressive style of basketball.
Since the Celtics could not put up points and chances are Ray Allen will be in and out of the starting lineup, they will have to find a way to play defense. Of course, when facing Miami it is easier said than done.
In Game 1 the Heat shot 50 percent from the floor, but only hit 5-25 from beyond the arc. If the Celtics can clog up the paint and play decent perimeter defense, then the Heat will be forced to take contested jumpers.
Rajon Rondo noticed they did not make the Heat work for their points and has said "They have to hit the deck," meaning the Heat can not get easy baskets in Game 2.
Rondo is concerned with the Heat getting to the paint. The Celtics were only outscored by eight points, 42-34 advantage Heat. Even though Kevin Garnett's specialty is the 15 foot jumper, he has to attack the paint because the Heat do not have a body that could cover his length.
The Heat did a great job helping on the weakside. As a team they totalled 11 blocks and Lebron James had three of them.
Miami will have to continue playing their style of basketball. James and Dwayne Wade have been unstoppable as of late and have led the Heat to four straight victories.
Offensively, the Celtics need to depend on Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce. Rondo did not have a big offensive game as far as assists and Pierce has to realize that if he can not score, the Celtics will not win.
Pierce has averaged close to 19 points per game in the playoffs, but on Monday he only scored 12. Allen has not been able to be the scorer he once was, only averaging about nine points a game. If he can not recover his form, Pierce, Rondo and Garnett will have to produce on the offense.
Game 2 is tonight in Maimi. The Heat hold the 1-0 lead and would love to have the 2-0 lead before they get to Boston. Pierce and the gang must bring their best game if they want to tie the series.
