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| LeBron James got the last laugh in Game 1. (Getty Images) |
Previewing Game 2 between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals.
1. Where We're At: Heat lead 1-0 after basically running the Celtics out of the gym in the second half of Game 1. It wasn't pretty. The Celtics looked old and out of sorts, unable to contain LeBron James or Dwyane Wade on the perimeter, and unable to help contest at the rim. If their man defense isn't there, and their help defense isn't there, what's left? The zone? That's what you've got left? The Celtics need to hope that they've gotten enough rest to come back and throw a haymaker. They need to put the Heat on the ground, and not the way Rajon Rondo was suggesting. They have to win this game to get back some confidence.
2. The Big Number: 1.12. That's the number of points per possession the Heat scored on the Celtics' vaunted defense in Game 1. The Celtics can't score. At all. Their .089 points per possession in Game 1 tells you that. If they're going to win they have to turn this thing into a slugfest. They can't get involved in a shootout. They have no guns. They have to get up close and personal. Maybe most concerning for the Celtics is the fact that Miami really didn't get out and run in transition very much in Game 1. They needed a slow game, they got it, and the Heat still walloped them.
3. Key Adjustment: Miami went small in Game 1, using a lineup featuring Mario Chalmers, Wade, Shane Battier, and James along with a center for large parts of their run. Boston can't really respond by going big, but you may see some more lineups with Kevin Garnett and Greg Stiemsma, with K.G. moving back to his usual 4 spot. That means more minutes for Ryan Hollins, though, so there's a cost. The Heat just matched up too well with small ball for the Celtics to run what they usually do.
4. The Big Story: Rondo said that the Heat have to "hit the deck, too" as a result of Celtics fouls in Game 2. James laughed at Garnett's act of barking in his ear. This is getting personal, and the Celtics have to send a message they're still tough. You have to make the Heat tentative to get their offense out of sync. Miami has too much confidence right now. Who gives the hit for Boston? That will be a big question in Game 2.
