Author Topic: Heat (35-37) at Celtics (47-26) Game #74 3/26/17  (Read 35347 times)

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Heat (35-37) at Celtics (47-26) Game #74 3/26/17
« on: March 25, 2017, 10:45:32 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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  vs 
Miami Heat (35-37)  at  Boston Celtics (47-26)
Sunday, March 26, 2017
6:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #74, Home Game #36
TV:  CSNNE, FS Sun, NBA-LP  761(DTV)/752(xfinity)
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 790 The Ticket
TD Garden



Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard

vs
Isaiah Thomas vs Goran Dragic

Shooting Guard

vs
Jaylen Brown vs Josh Richardson

Small Forward
vs
Jae Crowder vs Rodney McGruder

Power Forward
vs
Amir Johnson vs Luke Babbitt

Center
vs
Al Horford vs Hassan Whiteside




Celtics Reserves
Gerald Green
Demetrius Jackson
Jordan Mickey
Terry Rozier
James Young
Jonas Jerebko
Kelly Olynyk

Injury
Avery Bradley (gastroenteritis) questionable

Head Coach

Brad Stevens 


vs
Al Horford vs Hassan Whiteside
Whiteside has played very well since coming to the Heat, especially on defense.  He is averaging 16.8 points, 14.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.  He pulled down 17 rebounds in each of the first two meetings between these two teams.   The Celtics will have a tough time scoring inside with Whiteside patrolling the paint.  Al will need to pull him away from the basket to open up the paint for the Celtics. 

vs
Isaiah Thomas vs Goran Dragic
Former teammates match up against each other.  Dragic is averaging 20.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists.  They certainly know each other and their tendencies and so this should be a good matchup.  Dragic scored 27 with 17 assists in the first meeting and 31 points with 7 assists in the second meeting and the Celtics will need to try to keep him from having another big game.

Honorable Mention
Marcus Smart vs Tyler and James Johnnson
The two Johnsons are the Heat's 6th men.  Tyler Johnson is averaging 13.7 points, which is the second most for any player without a start this season.  James Johnson is averaging 12.3 points, which is the third most in the league for any player without a start.  The Celtics, especially Marcus,. will need to defend these players to keep them from having a big game.  James Johnson had 22 points in the third meeting between these two teams. 

Keys to the Game
Defense

Defense wins games. The Heat have a defensive rating of 104.0 while the Celtics have a defensive rating of 105.3.  The Celtics should be capable of much better defense, given the very good individual defenders they have on the team.   They must put it together to play tough team defense.   The team that is able to lock down on defense will more than likely get the win.   

Rebound

The Heat are averaging 43.8 rebounds per game while the Celtics are averaging 42.0 rebounds per game.  Crashing the boards will give the Celtics extra possessions as well as keeping the Heat from getting fast breaks and second chance points. However, Hassan Whiteside has been cleaning up on the glass for the Heat and the Celtics will need to work hard to win the rebounding battle.  The Celtics are 22-2 when they grab more rebounds than their opponents. 

Be Aggressive
The Celtics have to be aggressive in going to the basket and not settle for jumpers, especially if the jumpers aren't falling. They have to dive for loose balls and be aggressive in crashing the boards.  They can't afford to slack off or to allow the Heat to play harder than them. They have to be the team that wants it more.  Both of these teams have won by playing hard and so the Celtics have to put out extra effort to play harder. 

Play Hard and Focus for 48 Minutes
The starters need to come out and play aggressively from the beginning and the second unit needs to come in and pick up where they leave off. They have to attack the basket and be aggressive on defense for the whole 48 minutes. No letting up.  The Heat are giving up the 3nd fewest points in the 4th quarter (24.6) and allowing teams to shoot just 42% in the final period (also 2nd lowest).  The Celtics must stay focused through all 4 quarters and not let up, especially if they have a lead.


X-Factors
Home game
- The Celtics are playing in the 4th of 6 straight home games.    The Celtics  have been playing well at home with a record of 26-9.  They need to continue to draw energy from the home crowd and make it difficult for other teams to win at the Garden.     

Don't Play to their Record
- The Celtics should not play to the Heat's sub .500 record.  They started out 11-30 but since then, have been 25-7 and are one of the hottest teams in the league.   If the Celtics underestimate them, they will end up with a loss. 

Officiating - As always officiating is an x-factor.  Every crew has their own way of calling a game and the Celtics have to adjust to the way it is being called.  They may call every little touch foul or let them play and however they call it, it is crucial that the Celtics adapt to it. 
« Last Edit: March 25, 2017, 10:52:41 PM by FLCeltsFan »

Re: Heat (35-37) at Celtics (47-26) Game #74 3/26/17
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2017, 10:48:45 PM »

Offline tarheelsxxiii

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Whew, now that we're in...

Mom: This one is for you!

Future wife: Look at what I'm capable of, when focused and surrounded by good, Green-blooded people.

Miami Heat: Sorry, but we are on a mission and you happen to be in the way right now...

The Tarstradamus Group, LLC

Re: Heat (35-37) at Celtics (47-26) Game #74 3/26/17
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2017, 10:49:15 PM »

Offline saltlover

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2nd!  Let's win this and get a share of first place!

Re: Heat (35-37) at Celtics (47-26) Game #74 3/26/17
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2017, 10:49:59 PM »

Online SHAQATTACK

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Early for me

Re: Heat (35-37) at Celtics (47-26) Game #74 3/26/17
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2017, 10:55:00 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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First,  I know that Al Horford's picture isn't showing up in the Key Matchups but I've tried to figure out why for the past half hour and can't figure it out so it stays this way because I'm tired. 

Second  TP to tarheelsxxiii for being the first to post in the game thread. 

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Celtics!!!   

Re: Heat (35-37) at Celtics (47-26) Game #74 3/26/17
« Reply #5 on: March 25, 2017, 10:55:23 PM »

Offline Phantom255x

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Let's do this C's! Make it 4 straight and get us into a tie with Cleveland for #1

TP FLCeltsFan!!
"Tough times never last, but tough people do." - Robert H. Schuller

Re: Heat (35-37) at Celtics (47-26) Game #74 3/26/17
« Reply #6 on: March 25, 2017, 10:56:46 PM »

Offline hodgy03038

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Let's get this and move into the 1 seed!!

Re: Heat (35-37) at Celtics (47-26) Game #74 3/26/17
« Reply #7 on: March 25, 2017, 10:58:12 PM »

Offline Phantom255x

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FRIST

Whew, now that we're in...

Mom: This one is for you!

Future wife: Look at what I'm capable of, when focused and surrounded by good, Green-blooded people.

Miami Heat: Sorry, but we are on a mission and you happen to be in the way right now...

Way to go @Tarheelsxxiii, I always knew you were capable!

"Tough times never last, but tough people do." - Robert H. Schuller

Re: Heat (35-37) at Celtics (47-26) Game #74 3/26/17
« Reply #8 on: March 25, 2017, 10:59:14 PM »

Online SHAQATTACK

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Important game

IT wants this

To lead his team to a first place seed .


Re: Heat (35-37) at Celtics (47-26) Game #74 3/26/17
« Reply #9 on: March 25, 2017, 11:09:45 PM »

Offline Ogaju

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Lets go Celtics !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Made first page !!!!

TP to FlCFan for a great game thread!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Heat (35-37) at Celtics (47-26) Game #74 3/26/17
« Reply #10 on: March 25, 2017, 11:55:12 PM »

Online SHAQATTACK

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We need to win this so LeBron will kill,himself trying to beat the Spurs ...LOL

Re: Heat (35-37) at Celtics (47-26) Game #74 3/26/17
« Reply #11 on: March 26, 2017, 12:14:09 AM »

Offline apc

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Whew, now that we're in...

Mom: This one is for you!

Future wife: Look at what I'm capable of, when focused and surrounded by good, Green-blooded people.

Miami Heat: Sorry, but we are on a mission and you happen to be in the way right now...
Hard to believe you're not taken!

Re: Heat (35-37) at Celtics (47-26) Game #74 3/26/17
« Reply #12 on: March 26, 2017, 01:01:26 AM »

Offline hwangjini_1

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Game thread!  ;D

Great post and congrats on being first tar heel. Tp for being speedy.

Thanks to flc for the game thread and all the great work that goes into it. But extra special thanks for showing us all here what sort of shoes you wear.  ;)

Celtics win again! The march to first in the east continues!

Goooooooooo Celtics! ;D
I believe Gandhi is the only person who knew about real democracy — not democracy as the right to go and buy what you want, but democracy as the responsibility to be accountable to everyone around you. Democracy begins with freedom from hunger, freedom from unemployment, freedom from fear, and freedom from hatred.
- Vandana Shiva

Re: Heat (35-37) at Celtics (47-26) Game #74 3/26/17
« Reply #13 on: March 26, 2017, 01:11:52 AM »

Offline dwlefty13

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Looking forward to seeing the Celtics best defensive performance of the season. So good I am anticipating less than 80 points scored by Miami. Get it done C's!
Let's Go Celtics!!

Re: Heat (35-37) at Celtics (47-26) Game #74 3/26/17
« Reply #14 on: March 26, 2017, 01:52:23 AM »

Offline Denis998

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I just noticed I have an exam tomorrow during the game :(. This is like the 3rd game or so I'm going to miss this season.