(4) Celtics Vs. (5) Heat

[Lamrock]

Yeah, its like "hey Dwyane, did you forget how to charge into the paint then throw up a ridiculous shot, receiving the automatic foul call?"

[benji]

If he had a legit three point shot he'd have had about ten open shots in the fourth.

Their entire offense shut down, and O'Neal wasn't on the floor down the stretch. Yeah, he sucks but he CAN GET A SHOT OFF. Not sure about everyone else playing with Wade. I'd take O'Neal's lousy shots over four guys standing around looking for Wade to create something.

But then again I'm one of those silly people who looks at the situation on the court.

[NovU]

As much as the Heat deserves be blamed for the collapse, the Celtics I thought was superb, being able to take control of the game like that. Isn't that what we used to see, in their recent championship year. They just do great job on the defensive end, making opponents look miserable at many times. Heat likes the grind out type of games, but I think the Celtics are better at it, being actually able to make a critical play when needed. There are so many guys that can step up. Anyways, like I expected, Wade got shut down completely. Jermaine O'neal's was pretty good though. I think he was the only positive in the game. Though, he shot horribly, his shot selections weren't too bad and his presence was felt at times. He still is a has been, but still can contribute in some ways.

[Andrew]

The Heat might have a better shot getting the split in Game 2, as KG has been suspended.

Kevin Garnett has been suspended by the NBA for the Boston Celtics second playoff game against the Miami Heat.

The one-game suspension was imposed Sunday for hitting Quentin Richardson of the Miami Heat in the head with an elbow with 40 seconds left in Boston’s 85-76 win in Game 1 on Saturday night.

The league also fined Richardson $25,000.

Noah has also weighed in with his thoughts on KG being a dirty player, which I'm sure will earn him some grief.

[Axel The Great]

Let's hope Noah isn't KG's next victim for the 2010-11 season.

[Andrew]

From the sounds of it, he's already taken some lumps from KG.

[Phil89]

phpBB [video]

[Andrew]

Yeah, no need for that stuff. I like KG, he's a great player who's had a great career and his passion is admirable even if it's caused problems sometimes, but no excuse for that. I'm sure there's a lot of people out there ripping Noah because he's nowhere near as accomplished as KG but the proof is right there in the video.

[NovU]

I really reall hope the Heat will take full advantage of KG's absense. If we win this, the series I think is going to be really interesting. Otherwise, it is as good as over. Heat isn't a good home team so tonight's game will be critical if they want to keep any hopes of getting to a second round.

[atlwarrior]

Ya know as much as I respect KG's game i hate to say this but it may not be a bad idea to give Big Baby that starting spot instead. Remember they really couldve beat Orlando lasy yr in the playoffs. Boston does not suck w/o KG. Big Baby has always taken advantage of that starting spot.

[Andrew]

I really reall hope the Heat will take full advantage of KG's absense. If we win this, the series I think is going to be really interesting. Otherwise, it is as good as over. Heat isn't a good home team so tonight's game will be critical if they want to keep any hopes of getting to a second round.

So far, they haven't. They seemed to get themselves in order by the end of the first quarter but then offered up a repeat of their fourth quarter performance in Game 1 during the second.

[Rip32]

Poor Dwyane Wade, this is one of the worst showings a super star's supporting cast has ever had, I mean 12 of 43 (.279%!) from the field? Jesus christ. I don't care if your heart is in Miami Dwyane, unless you lure Chris Bosh to South Beach this summer you're going to be the best player that never gets out of the first round for the rest of your career.

[Andrew]

It might be a different story once they get to Miami but the way the Heat are playing right now, it's not looking like it's going to be nearly as competitive a series as I'd pegged it to be. I picked Boston in seven but right now that seems far too optimistic for the Heat. I thought KG's suspension might give them the opportunity to head home with the split and make it a series but right now all they're doing is letting the Celtics get the confidence back after their lacklustre finish to the season.

[deihatein]

you're going to be the best player that never gets out of the first round for the rest of your career.

He already won a NBA Championship though.

[NovU]

The series is over. That's fucked up.

[Rip32]

you're going to be the best player that never gets out of the first round for the rest of your career.

He already won a NBA Championship though.

I'm aware, but it's not like the trio of Wade-Beasley-Chalmers is screaming NBA Championship/Playoff success in the future... or ever for that matter. Like you said, he does have his ring, but if he stays in Miami and they DON'T get a Bosh-type player, what makes you think they just magically start to be good?

Maybe Beasley turns into a stud, who knows, but I'd bet against that 99.9% of the time. Right now Wade's looking mediocrity in the face for the next 5+ years if he stays in Miami. I don't think a Heat fan can honestly say they have complete confidence in their #2 overall draft pick of becoming anything more than the big man version of J.R. Smith.

Maybe I'm just pissed that I actually thought Miami could win this series, I don't know it's late

[NovU]

I'm aware, but it's not like the trio of Wade-Beasley-Chalmers is screaming NBA Championship/Playoff success in the future... or ever for that matter. Like you said, he does have his ring, but if he stays in Miami and they DON'T get a Bosh-type player, what makes you think they just magically start to be good?

Maybe Beasley turns into a stud, who knows, but I'd bet against that 99.9% of the time. Right now Wade's looking mediocrity in the face for the next 5+ years if he stays in Miami. I don't think a Heat fan can honestly say they have complete confidence in their #2 overall draft pick of becoming anything more than the big man version of J.R. Smith.

Maybe I'm just pissed that I actually thought Miami could win this series, I don't know it's late

You are right. It doesn't look too good for the Heat at this moment but this coming off-season will be big for us, as we do have tons of cap rooms to work with, so the roster pretty much will be revamped surrounding Wade with better supporting casts, of course that is if he decides to stay. Anyways, the important thing is, by not making any moves by last trade deadline, the Heat has a lot of options this off season. I don't know how Riley will do his job, but it doesn't look all that gloomy for the Heat.

[Andrew]

It depends on Wade's faith in the front office. It certainly doesn't have to be all doom and gloom but if there's no Bosh or similar star coming in with the cap room they'll have and the grass looks greener elsewhere, maybe he could be persuaded to move on. Then it's doom and gloom for the Heat, at least in the short term.

[NovU]

......
What can I say? Wade pulling up for contested 3s twice in crucial possesions, Beasley not getting the ball when he's bloody damn hot, no box at all, a frigging inconsistent officiating. Well... at least I'm off to watch a better series in SAS vs DAL.

[atlwarrior]

I gotta say as of right now, out of all the teams in the playoffs, the celtics look the best.

[Andrew]

Pierce with the heartbreaking gamewinner. I wouldn't be completely surprised to see them complete the sweep, though I'd still pick the Heat to win the next one and then the Celtics to close out the series at home in Game 5. So much for the prediction of seven games.

[shadowgrin]

Heroics like that only gives more confidence to a team, and a confident Celtics team is a dangerous one.
The Cavs-Celtics match-up next round will be a good watch.

[NovU]

though I'd still pick the Heat to win the next one and then the Celtics to close out the series at home in Game 5. So much for the prediction of seven games.

I am going for the sweep, since Wade went down near the end. Hope it's not serious, but I doubt the motivation would be still there even if he can shake it off.

[Lamrock]

Looks like Heat are done. Was good to see Wade get some karmic retribution by missing that three then landing awkwardly. However, if any team is going to be the first to blow a 3-0 lead, it would be these Celtics. If Wade goes into 06 mode, and the Celtics revert to their late season ways, I could see the Heat taking a couple games still.

[Rip32]

If Wade goes into 06 mode, and the Celtics revert to their late season ways, I could see the Heat taking a couple games still.

orrrrr Dorell Wright can turn into "I've been in the league for 6 years and I just made a big three-pointer, but I'm still pretty bad" mode and get PP's juices flowing at the end of the game. Did anyone see him snap a little comment to Pierce after he made that game tying three? Probably a bad idea in hindsight considering he played defense from somewhere outside the arena on that last shot