Celtics (49-15) at Heat (33-29) 3/11

[FLCeltsFan]

  at 

Boston Celtics (49-15) at Miami Heat (33-29) 
Wednesday, March 11
7:30 PM ET
Game #65, Road Game #33
SunSports HD, CSN HD,  NBA LP 755
American Airlines Arena   
    Although the Miami Heat has only existed for two decades they have already called two arenas home. The expansion Miami Heat began playing at the Miami Arena in 1988-1989 during their inaugural year.  For over a decade they played here along with the Florida Panthers (NHL). With a seating capacity of just over 16,000 both the Heat and Panthers wanted new modern facilities to play at.
In 1996, voters approved a bond for the construction of a new arena for the Heat. At a cost of $213 million, the Heat contributed $50 million to the project while hotel taxes were increased to fund the project. American Airlines purchased the naming rights for $42 million over 20 years to have the arena named after their company.
    American Airlines Arena was constructed along Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami. The Miami Heat played their first game at the arena on January 2, 2000. From the exterior American Airlines Arena features a sleek modern design. This design is also found inside where views of the city skyline and bay can been seen from the concourse. Nearly 20,000 fans can watch the Heat play from three levels of seats that enclose the court. The arena has five configurations that can be arranged to see 5,000 to 20,000 fans.


ProbableStarting Matchups
Point Guard
  vs 
Eddie House vs Mario Chalmers
(Just a guess that Doc will start Eddie after his admission that starting Marbury was the wrong choice against the Magic.  But then again, who can tell with Doc?  He very well may start Marbury or take a chance on Pruitt)

Shooting Guard 
  vs 
Ray Allen vs Dwyane Wade 

Small Forward
  vs 
Paul Pierce vs Jamario Moon   

Power Forward
  vs 
Leon Powe vs Udonis Haslem
(We are quickly running out of big bodies.  With the injury to Big Baby, it seems that Leon is the most likely to move into the starting lineup.)

Center
  vs 
Kendrick Perkins  vs Jermaine O'Neal     




Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 26.8
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 222

Reserves
Gabe Pruitt
JR Giddens
Bill Walker
Stephon Marbury
Mikki Moore

Injuries:
Tony Allen (thumb) out
Kevin Garnett (knee) out
Brian Scalabrine (head)  out
Rajon Rondo (ankle)  out
Glen Davis  (ankle) out


Coach: Erik Spoelstra
Average Age: 26.2
Average Height: 6-7
Average Weight: 222

Reserves
Jamaal Magloire
Daequan Cook
Michael Beasley
Chris Quinn
Mark Blount
James Jones
Dorrell Wright
Yakhouba Diawara
Joel Anthony
Luther Head

Injuries
None

Team Connections
Mark Blount  is a former Celtic (even though most Celtics' fans would rather forget that fact)   
Michael Beasley and Bill Walker were teammates at Kansas State
Mario Chalmers and Paul Pierce are former Kansas Jayhawks
Jamaal Magloire and Rajon Rondo are former Kentucky Wildcats
Eddie House was originally drafted by the Heat with the 37th pick in the 2000 draft. 

Key Matchups
vs
Ray Allen  PPG 18.4 RPG 3.50 APG 2.8 EFF + 17.27
Dwyane Wade PPG 29.4 RPG 5.10 APG 7.6 EFF + 28.97 
Wade has been at the top of the MVP candidates list and has been playing great basketball.   He will definitely make Ray work on the defensive end and thius limit Ray's energy on the offensive end. 

vs
Kendrick Perkins   PPG 8.1 RPG 8.10 APG 1.2 EFF + 13.97
Jermaine O'Neal  PPG 13.3 RPG 6.80 APG 1.7 EFF + 15.49
O'Neal likes to shoot from the perimeter and is a tough cover for Perk, but at the same time, Perk should get some easy baskets inside with JO covering him. 

Honorable Mention
Eddie House  PPG 8.0 RPG 1.90 APG 1.1 EFF + 7.35
Mario Chalmers   PPG 9.8 RPG 2.60 APG 4.6 EFF + 11.71
With Rondo out, Eddie will have to figure out how to get the Celtics into their offense as well as try to keep Chalmers from getting the Heat into theirs.   

Game Notes
This is the second of 4 meetings between these 2 teams this season.  The Celtics won the first game in Miami 98-83 in January.   They will meet in Boston on 3/18 and 4/10.   

The Heat are 21-11 at home while the Celtics are 23-9 on the road.   The Heat are 20-16 vs Eastern Conference teams while the Celtics are 33-6 vs Eastern foes. 

Miami is 9-0 when the shoot 50% or more from the field, so defense will be important if the Celtics hope to get the victory.     Wade and Chalmers have combined for252 steals this season, which is first in the NBAfor backcourt duos.  The Celtics have to take care of the ball or the Heat will make them pay for it.   

X-Factor
Injuries
The Heat are at full force and the Celtics have been hit hard by injuries.   The remaining healthy Celtics will each have to put forth a very strong effort in order for the Celtics to have a chance in this one.   

[celticinorlando]

hope boston can hold up with only 10 guys...2 being rooks that never play

[Celtics1990]

I'm gonna think positive and say we'll be able to pull this one out. I think Leon will have a huge game.

[Scalablob990]

I still doubt Doc will use the rookies.

[celticswillwin43]

Solid win i foresee.

[cordobes]

The game should be tomorrow, they're playing a 2nd overtime vs. the Bulls.

[Toine43]

I still doubt Doc will use the rookies.

I guarantee you he will use them. Keep in mind our opponents on Sunday and Friday. They were the reason why Doc played Paul and Ray so many minutes. Also, I believe Sunday's game will be considered a last straw of sorts regarding Allen and Pierce's minutes. No matter how the game is playing out on Wednesday, I am confident Doc will not overuse Paul and Ray again.

[RebusRankin]

Wish we had another big available.

[xmuscularghandix]

this is the best team for us to play with our small lineup... Miami has the same issues only they face it full strength.

I'd like to see:

Pruitt
R.Allen
Pierce
Powe
Perkins

Marbury
House
Giddens
Walker
Moore


i'd like to see Walker on Beasley becuase they were teammates and Billy often played PF in highschool/college becuase of his vertical, Giddens also NEEDS to play becuase of our lack of bigs. JR is a very good rebounder and thats something that we don't have much of on this debilitated roster.

[Scalablob990]

I still doubt Doc will use the rookies.

I guarantee you he will use them. Keep in mind our opponents on Sunday and Friday. They were the reason why Doc played Paul and Ray so many minutes. Also, I believe Sunday's game will be considered a last straw of sorts regarding Allen and Pierce's minutes. No matter how the game is playing out on Wednesday, I am confident Doc will not overuse Paul and Ray again.

Oh dw Toine I didn't forget about the last two games, to a degree I can understand why he played them heavy minutes, but if any of the next few games are close the entire time he won't use the rooks. Even if THIS game is close he'll either use them for 30 seconds or not at all. Hopefully he proves what i'm saying wrong, I really do since we're sort of backed into a corner right now and Pierce and Ray don't need 40+ minutes.

[Scalablob990]

Good god if anyone is watching the Blazer/Laker game the announcers are SMASHING on Kobe and Vujacic it's hilarious!

[ACF]

Once again, Tommy Point to FL
for the great effort 

GO CELTICS!

[4THQTR]

TP for FL.

Have been enjoying these threads for a long time!

Hoping for a good solid road win, but it'll be a tough one.

[Cman]

Solid win i foresee.

Its going to be tough.  DWade has been playing exceptionally well, the Heat look like they are making strides incorporating JONeal and JMoon, and the Cs are down several key players (and PP and RA have been overplayed recently).

[Drucci]

Its going to be tough.  DWade has been playing exceptionally well, the Heat look like they are making strides incorporating JONeal and JMoon, and the Cs are down several key players (and PP and RA have been overplayed recently).

I feel exactly the same way, but I think the C's will pull out with a win. Maybe the Heat's fatigue could be a factor after they played 2OT yesterday. Still, I would be glad with a blowout which guarantee an easy win for the Celtics would allow Ray and Paul to rest, and get Walker and Giddens some playing time. But I'm not too optimistic about that (since I predicted a blowout against Orlando sunday, ugh...  ).

TP for the nice preview, as usual!