Many prognosticators believe that with the peaking Miami Heat and fading Boston Celtics traveling in opposing directions, their series will be prime for a first round upset.
For roughly the first 30 minutes of their game one matchup, it looked like the Heat would confirm the suspicions of those expecting a quiet Celtic spring.
But then reality set in and Boston ultimately prevailed 85-76, less on the basis of their own merit, and more on what Miami didn’t and couldn’t do.
Why Miami Lost
Miami’s starting defense had too many holes that ultimately got picked apart.
By my very unofficial count, about half of the combined interior rotations of Jermaine O’ Neal and Michael Beasley were on point, and half were late, absent, or ineffective. That’s a number that will get a team to the playoffs, but won’t have them winning series.
Quentin Richard jumped like a jack rabbit whenever a Celtic perimeter player offered the slightest head fake.
Richardson and Dorell Wright couldn’t stop Paul Pierce’s quick post moves, and Wright was particularly affected by Pierce’s stren ...
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Article written by Erick Blasco
Heat-Celtics Game One: Boston’s Frontcourt Flexes Its Muscles In Victory
April 18th, 2010 by Erick Blasco Leave a reply »
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