2012 NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Celtics Let Game 1 Slip Away (Celtics POV)

Old versus new, veterans versus youth, comeback versus uprising, how ever way you look at it this Eastern Conference Finals has everything it needs to be an instant classic.  The Boston Celtics definitely have the experience and the confidence to have one more shot at the title, but do they have the depth and the talent to surpass the mighty Miami Heat?

With the game tied after two quarters of play, the Celtics seemed to have everything in check; defense was above par and the offense played at a steady pace. But as the game wore on, the Heat duo of Lebron James and Dwayne Wade were just too much for the aging Celtics, who were held to only 33 points in the second half.

Rajon Rondo, who was the main focal point of Boston’s success in their previous series against Philadelphia, played a mediocre game at best; scoring 16 points and dishing out only 7 assists.  The Heat defense played Rondo extremely loose, forcing him to shoot long jumpers and preventing him from running his usual offense of “drive & kick”.  It was evident that the Heat did their homework and studied their opponent to the tee, finding out what the Celtics did best and eliminating that option.  The Celtics need to think outside the box if they want to even stand a chance against the Heat’s firepower.  Although better officiating could help too, don’t you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcdY5Ogn2yY&feature=relmfu

Key Players:

Yay – Kevin Garnett – 23 PTS, 10 REB, 9-16 FGM-A, 30:40

Kevin Garnett was automatic from the field.  No matter what shot he took, whither it was wide open or highly contested, you got the sense that it was going in before the ball left his hands.  Garnett knows exactly what’s at stake, he’s prepared to leave it all on the floor what ever means necessary.  He is by far the most confident out of the bunch, but that energy has to resonate towards his teammates if they want to make even a dent in game 2.

Nay – Ray Allen – 6 PTS, 2 AST, 1-4 3PM-A, 38:42

When Ray Allen only hits one three pointer in an Eastern Conference Finals game, you know something is going wrong.  His ankle injury is clearly bothering him and the Heat are taking notice; leaving him wide open and concentrating on other players on the floor, which is quite detrimental to Allen’s confidence.  The Celtics are in desperate need of Allen’s three-point repertoire, because without his ability to spread the floor and hitting the open shot, the Celtics are simply out matched against the star studded Heat.

KEY MOMENT: 4 technical fouls called against the Celtics

Four technical fouls against the Celtics and Lebron James gets away with another elbow attempt to the face?  Not to mention the numerous travels he gets away with.  Jay Triano (Toronto Raptor’s ex-head coach) said it best about the refs; “ones’ blind and the other two are incompetent”.  Don’t get me wrong, the Heat played an excellent game down the stretch, holding the Celtics to just 33 points in the second half, but I can’t help but think if the game was called fairly, would the outcome have been the same?

KEY STATS:

Yay: 12 Heat Turnovers

The Celtics are known for their defense and forcing 12 turnovers (3 from James and 4 from Wade) is a good sign moving forward.

Nay: 11-21 FTM-A

Usually the Celtics are top notch when it comes to free throws, but missing 48% from the charity strike is simply unacceptable.  Key missed free throws from both Ray Allen and Mickael Pietrus, the Celtics need to clean up their act and play like the Celtics of old (no pun intended)

Quote of the game:

Coach Doc Rivers on the game – “In the third quarter, the game just got away from us. I thought we rushed. I thought our offense was rushed. I thought we never got into our rhythm as far as getting on one side of the floor to the other, second and third options.” (NBA.COM)

Next Game:

Wednesday May 30^th, 8:30PM @Miami

Series:

Miami leads series 1-0

Notes:

HOLY, was I watching a Shakespeare play or a playoff game?  According to the Miami crowd, it was definitely the latter.  I’ve been to middle school badminton tournament’s that had louder crowds than this.  I’ll admit; the Heat deserves to be in the Eastern Conference Finals, but their crowd?  Aren’t you guys in a recession or something?

My fellow Sir Charles writer Joseph Nardone and I are sharing a playoff series once again.  I will be taking on the Celtics POV, while Joe will be taking on the Heat’s POV.

Follow me on twitter @JayLeung20