Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 26, 2016 20:43:42 GMT -5
at 
Miami Heat (32-25) at Boston Celtics (34-25)
Saturday, February 27, 2016
3:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game [HASH]60, Home Game [HASH]29
TV: CSNNE, SunSports, NBA-LP 751(DTV)/751(Xfinity)
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 790 The Ticket, Sirius 207
TD Garden
Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
vs 
Isaiah Thomas vs Goran Dragic
Shooting Guard
vs 
Avery Bradley vs Dwyane Wade
Small Forward
vs 
Jae Crowder vs Justise Winslow
Power Forward
vs 
Amir Johnson vs Luol Deng
Center
vs 
Jared Sullinger vs Amar'e Stoudemire
ReservesEvan Turner
RJ Hunter
Jonas Jerebko
Terry Rozier
James Young
Jordan Mickey
Tyler Zeller
Marcus Smart
Head Coach
Brad Stevens
Injuries
Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) out
Isaiah Thomas (wrist) expected to play
Marcus Smart (thumb) expected to play
Avery Bradley (knee) expected to play
ReservesGerald Green
Udonis Haslem
Hassan Whiteside
Josh McRoberts
Josh Richardson
Head Coach
Erik Spoelstra
Injuries
Tyler Johnson (shoulder) out
Beno Udrih (foot) out
Chris Bosh (blood clots) out
Game Notes
The Celtics continue their home stand with a visit from the Miami Heat. This is a huge game for both teams. With the Heat just one game behind the Celtics and playing very well, a win by the Celtics would put them up 2 games on the Heat for the 3rd spot. A loss would move them into a tie once again.
There are questions whether Chris Bosh will be able to return to the Heat after suffering from blood clots in his leg. Last year he missed the end of the season with a blood clot that moved from his leg into his lung so they are being careful with him. But, they may be getting stronger with the reports that Joe Johnson is expected to sign with them after he clears waivers. He won't be able to play in this game, but he will definitely give the team a boost.
At the trade deadline last week, the Heat traded Chris Andersen and Jarnell Stokes to put them just below the luxury tax line. If the Heat sign Johnson immediately, they will go over the luxury tax and would also be a repeater tax team, which includes a higher tax payment for team that is over the luxury tax in at least four out of any five seasons. If the Heat wait until March 10 to sign Johnson, they could avoid going over the luxury tax. Regardless of when they sign him, Johnson's 37% three point shooting will be a welcome addition to the Heat and will make them better.
This is the second of 3 games between these two teams. The Celtics beat the Heat in Miami on November 30 and they will face off one more time in Boston on April 13. The Heat won the series 3-1 last season, winning both games in Boston. The Celtics have won 9 straight at home. The Celtics are 18-10 at home while the Heat are 14-13 on the road.
Miami is playing in the first of back to back games and will travel to New York to play the Knicks on Sunday. The Celtics next play at home on Monday. With the Heat being slightly undermanned due to injury and trades and facing a back to back games, the Celtics may be catching them at the right time. But, this won't be an easy game. The Celtics must bring their A game if they hope to get a much needed win here.
Key Matchups
vs Avery Bradley vs Dwyane Wade
Wade isn't the player he once was, but he is still dangerous when he gets going. He has also had to pick up his game and shoulder more of the load with Bosh out and LeBron gone back to Cleveland. He is averaging 18.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists. Bradley has always played him well and hopefully he can contain hm in this game.
vs Isaiah Thomas vs Goran Dragic
Thomas and Dragic are two former Phoenix teammates facing off against each other. Dragic was considered to be the premiere point guard that was traded, but Isaiah has proved to be the real prize from last year's trade deadline. Dragic is averaging 12.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists. It would be great if Isaiah could show him up in this head to head matchup.
Players to Watch
Justise Winslow
In last year's draft, it was rumored that Danny offered pretty much everything in his draft cache to try to get Winslow, who is averaging 6.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists and is now starting at small forward for the Heat. He's about to come up against some hefty defense from Jae Crowder and hopefully Jae can shut him down.
Hassan Whiteside
Whiteside has been coming off the bench for the Heat, but still is a force to be reckoned with. He is averaging 12.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks. Whoever guards him must try to keep him away from the paint and off the boards.
Keys to the Game
Defense
Defense wins games. The Heat are allowing just 96.9points per game while the Celtics are allowing 102.1 points per game. The Celtics have strayed from that defensive mindset that had them in the top 5 defenses in December. They must get back to making defense a priority and play tough team defense. The team that is able to lock down on defense will be the team to get the win.
Rebound
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 with 3.9 blocks and 11.4 rebounds per game and the Celtics will need to work hard to win the rebounding battle.
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.
Run and Play 48 Minutes
The Celtics need to run on every possession. They have the legs to keep it up and not let up and to tire the older Heat out, who are also slightly short handed and facing another game on Sunday. The Celtics started off running every time down the floor against the Bucks but then they slowed down and started walking the ball up and allowed the Bucks to get back into the game. The Celtics need to run and to play hard from the opening tip until the final buzzer.
Move and Take Care of the Ball
The Celtics need to move the ball to find the open man and the best shot possible. When the ball sticks and players try to do too much and not play team ball, they tend to struggle. They also need to take care of the ball and not make careless passes and turn the ball over because if they do, the Heat will make them pay.
X-Factors
Focus Factor - This is a big game for the Celtics' playoff position and each player has to focus on playing their best team ball in order to get the win. They have to focus on making sharp passes and on moving the ball to find the open man and they have to focus on crashing the boards. Most of all, they have to focus on getting back to playing tough defense. They can't let themselves get distracted and try to play hero ball. They have to keep their focus on doing what it takes to get this win. The Heat will be focused because they know the importance of this game.
Officiating Factor - Officiating can always be an x-factor. In a lot of games the officiating isn't a factor. But there are some where the officiating completely tilts the game in one direction or the other. Whether the officiating team or the league has an agenda and whether the refs let the teams play or call every little foul affects how the game is played. The Celtics need to play through the officiating and not let the way it is called to affect them.
