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NBA Playoff Notes: Miami simply on a higher level than Boston

by Dave Jacober       May 29th, 2012 11:39 AM
  • NBA-Playoff-Notes-Miami-simply-on-a-higher-level-than-Boston
  • Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

    • While watching Game 1 of the Miami-Boston series, one thing was painstakingly evident: the Celtics, as stubbornly grizzled as they are, simply aren’t in the same class as the Heat. While no one should ever put too much stock into the first of a seven-games series, the Heat looked like they’re operating in fourth gear, while the Celtics are struggling to get out of second. It seemed like every 50-50 ball ended up in a possession for the Heat, with at least six loose balls going their way. Miami also snagged 48 rebounds (13 offensive) to the Celtics’ 33 (10). Poor officiating aside, the Celtics couldn’t get to the rim, and even when they did they found their shot either bouncing off the iron or re-directed in mid-air.


    Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

    While most of the headlines this morning are revolving around LeBron’s boisterous chuckles in the fourth quarter, the truth is that the Celtics just can’t generate enough against the Heat’s hyper-athletic defense. The Celtics have two clear mismatches offensively — Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo — yet in different ways neither one has been consistent this postseason. How many times have we heard Doc Rivers insist “We have to Kevin going”? It seems every sideline or postgame comment starts with something about building their offense around getting Garnett going on the block. The problem is that KG has to get KG going on the block. Often the ball goes there, but it usually just moves right back out and rotated to a perimeter player. Boston might not have made it out of the opening round without Garnett this postseason, yet he has to get to his spot and be willing initiate the offense on the block rather than relying on his jump shot.

    Rondo’s mismatch is another prime example, but candidly, I can’t write any more about his inconsistency. You have to give the Heat credit. They’ve thrown multiple looks at him, different schemes on the pick-and-roll, different matchups, and forced him to settle for jump shots. The Heat did it all in Game 1. If Boston is going to make this a series, Rondo is going to have to exploit the mismatch he has with the Heat’s backcourt. And with Miami trapping Pierce on the perimeter and forcing him into mistakes, the only way to bring LeBron off of Pierce and onto Rondo is for the Celtics’ premier player to assert his will more consistently.

    Credit has to be given to the Heat. Wade and James are both shooting over 50 percent from the field, making circus shots look routine, and are incessantly attacking the hoop. LeBron James put up another monster stat line last night, and while +/- can be somewhat misleading, you can’t overlook that the Celtics as a team were a -18 when James was on the court last night, and a +36 when he was on the bench. LeBron has already begun to put his DNA all over this series, and with Ray Allen’s jumper looking flat, Pierce unable score, and a depleted bench, this could be a rough series for the Celtics.

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