2012 Eastern Conference Finals: There’s No Place Like Home, Boston Take Game 3 (Celtic’s POV)

With heart comes tenacity, with tenacity comes effort, with effort comes teamwork, and with teamwork comes SLAPPING THE HEAT IN THE FACE.  This was a confidence builder for the Celtics who took their efforts from game 2 into game 3, playing like the Celtics of old.  Rajon Rondo (coming off a career night in game 2), Paul Pierce & Kevin Garnett all had a 20+ point outings, which secured at least a game five in this series.

The Heat didn’t put up too much of a fight either as Lebron James & Dwyane Wade combined to miss 25-46 of their free throws…emphasis on the FREE.  Although, like coach Woodson (coach of the Knicks) said prior to game one: “It is a process to win a NBA Championship, you got to understand that” (NBA.com).  For the Celtics, game 2 was definitely a learning process.  Game 3?  Well, it was like watching a bully getting beat up by a nerd, sad yet extremely entertaining

Key Players:

Yay – Marquis Daniels – 9 PTS, 5 REB, 4-6 FGM-A, 17:19

Statistically speaking, Marquis Daniels didn’t have the best game on paper, but his presence alone kept his teammates in check and the crowd on their feet.  High energy on the boards, vexatious defense on the leagues MVP, and his willingness to do his job right was what made Marquis stand out from the rest.  There were no tricks or gimmicks to his play, just some straight up hard-nosed basketball that the crowd loved so much.  Every team needs that blue-collar player and Marquis fit the role perfectly.

Nay – Brandon Bass – 4 PTS, 5 PF, 4 REBS, 16:46

The Celtics already have an arsenal of weapons that could carry the offensive load, but it’s not the offense that I am nit picking from Bass, it’s that intensity, that drive and effort which resonates throughout the arena that was missing tonight.  For a power forward to only grab four boards in the Eastern Conference Finals, that’s not a lack of effort, that’s just laziness.  Fine I get it, Kevin Garnett usually has his hands full in the rebound category, but not only did Bass grab four rebounds, he only snagged one offensive board, that’s some Andrea Bargnani numbers!

KEY MOMENT: Rajon Rondo catches Lebron’s pass in mid-air

Rajon Rondo is the epitome of an NBA point guard.  Rule #1, always keep your eyes up.  If you watch the reply again, you can see that Rajon knew where the play was going prior to the pass.  He read the play perfectly, jumped hi in the air and caught the ball with two hands.  Unfortunately he couldn’t complete the and one, otherwise the building would have erupted.  This may have not sparked a run for the Celtics (since they gave up a 24 point lead in the fourth), but it just displayed how good Rondo can be, the Houdini of the NBA.

KEY STATS:

Yay: 24 fouls in game 3 compared to 33 fouls in game 2

Less fouls means less free throws for the opposing team.  After game 2, the Celtics were irate about the officiating, complaining that the whistle was only used against them.  Well in order to prevent the refs from unfair officiating, there’s only one thing you can do, stop fouling.  Then again Lebron and Wade missed a combine 21 free throws, so I guess a little luck doesn’t hurt either.

Nay: Letting the Heat come back from a 24-point deficit

Boston won, end of story, now on to game 4 right?  But here’s the kicker; Miami can afford to lose a game or two, but for Boston, every mistake will cost them a fortune.  Boston had a 24-point lead in the third quarter, which dwindled away into single digits.  Now moving onto game 4, even with the loss Miami has gained back the confidence, knowing that they can come back from any deficit no matter what.  Win or lose, the momentum is still in Miami’s hands.

Quote of the game:

Rajon Rondo on importance of Kevin Garnett: “Not just scoring. Kevin does all the little things. He does all the intangibles defensively. He’s out best help defender, our best communicator. I can go on and on…” (NBA.com)

Next Game:

Sunday, June 3^rd, 8:30 @Boston

Series:

Miami leads series 2-1

Notes:

So I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but Heat fans, that’s how you cheer for a home crowd…. just saying.

Check out Joseph Nardone’s review on game 3 with the Heat POV, as well as our co-writers John Armstrong & Mike Owens for their take on an exciting Spurs vs Thunder series.

ALSO, 8:30 on a Sunday?  Thanks NBA, let me just call my boss and tell him that David Stern came into my room and probed me, like he’s doing to the rest of the NBA.

Follow me on twitter @JayLeung20