Heat / Celtics Match Up: Eastern Finals

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If you were wondering what that strange noise Saturday Night was, It was the collective sighs of National Basketball Association Commissioner David Stern, and the Television executives after The Boston Celtics put away the Philadelphia 76'ers in game seven of their semi-final Conference Championship. The last thing you, me or anyone wanted to see, was a 76'er, Miami Heat Eastern Final. That would be a little like watching grass grow.

Although the Boston Celtics struggled to close out Philadelphia, I think they will provide a formidable match up for King James and the Miami Heat, especially if Chris Bosh is still injured and not available for this series.

If Bosh is out, I think Miami coach Erik Spoelstra will have trouble finding someone on his bench that can defend Kevin Garnett. Even though Garnett is getting long in the tooth, he is a great jump shooter, and is tough to defend in the low post, and is a great defender and re-bounder.

LeBron James and D Wade will need to continue to play at the level they were playing since the game three dust up with the Indiana Pacers. They will need to retain that intensity as well as continue to get some points out of the back up cast in South Beach. As great as they are, they need for Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem to step up and make some shots. Some sign of life from Mario Chalmers wouldn't hurt either.

As far as the Celtics are concerned, the health of Ray Allen and Paul Pierce are always a concern. Although I think Rajon Rondo is a great point guard, I don't look for him to shoot the 3-pointers like he did in Game 7 of the Semi's. Without that scoring help, it will have to fall on Ray Allen to carry the load, and I'm just not sure his ankle is healthy enough to carry them through this series.

I think the Miami Heat will win this series, but it won't be a 4 game sweep like it should be, but I look for it to go six or seven games. If Bosh come back, the series will be over sooner. Bosh is the key to the whole thing.

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I Told Them, Watch Out For The Pacers

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As we were analyzing our teams in the annual NBA Pool at the Watering Hole, one of my buddies was complaining about having pulled the Indiana Pacers out of the hat. I told them all, "Watch Out For The Pacers", I think they are dangerous.

The only big snag I could see, was could Indiana actually beat the Miami Heat to get out of the East? As luck would have it, I think they have the Heat right where they want them at 2-1, and firmly believe if it get's to 3-1, The Heat are done.

The Pacers had a little luck when Chris Bosh went down with an abdominal strain, keeping him out of the lineup so far for this series. This problem puts a large load on LeBron James shoulders. LeBron now has to defend up to four different players every night, lessening his contribution at the offensive end of the court.

When you watch the Heat, you can see LeBron James is worn out from the minutes he is having to play. The irregularities of the regular season having been cut short by the strike, with the back-to-back-to-back games, has taken a toll on all the players, especially the very active LeBron James. Coach Erik Spoelstra had tried to get James a couple of minutes rest in game two, but playing from behind, had no choice but to leave him in.

The Heat are getting very little from their role players. Mario Chalmers is by far the biggest disappointment in this series, but the blame can be extended to Mike Miller. Udonis Haslem and Shane Battier. If they don't step up to help. this series is for all practical purposes over.

The Pacers, without the Super Stars, have a nice compliment of role players on this team. Larry Bird seems to have assembled a fine assortment of pieces around up and coming Stars Danny Granger and David West, who by the way are the only two players on the team, who have double digit contracts.

Looking forward, I think if the Pacers can wiggle past the Heat in this series, they can match up well with the Celtics who have issues with age, fatigue and injuries. It could be interesting as we go forward. Like I told them, Watch out for the Pacers.

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