Series Thread: Eastern Conference Finals: Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat

[ChrisperJ10]

Yup. And if you have stronger faster and taller wings why not drive all day when they go zone ?

make them pay

Bingo... Make them pay getting a foul on the drive, or they’ll bring someone to help which will leave one of your perimeter shooters WIDE OPEN if you keep drawing fouls

 

[bksballer89]

4th time this season that Miami allowed 60+ points in the paint . Have to think things are more difficult for Boston in game 4 when it comes to paint points

 

[ChrisperJ10]

Butler needs to show up... This series is going 7

 

[ChrisperJ10]

All the adjustments that are going to happen and Tatum is going to end up going off... Thought he was injured, just needs a little PUSH

 

[Gman]

4th time this season that Miami allowed 60+ points in the paint . Have to think things are more difficult for Boston in game 4 when it comes to paint points

Maybe. Certainly the Miami defense has bamboozled Boston for stretches of time this series.

That said: Boston has structural advantages, and the Heat (while full of hustle and well-coached) are not an elite defensive team. They got weak links, and y'all play a lot of zone because you have to.

The C's are shooting a high field goal % this series. Boston has to keep attacking and keep going to the rim... and the Heat should always be hard pressed to stop it.

I know that was my analysis at the beginning of the series, too... and here we are now and the Heat have a 2-1 advantage... but I'm sticking to my initial thoughts... I still think the Celtics have a good shot to take the series, but their margin of error is obviously much smaller now that they're behind.

 

[bksballer89]

They got weak links, and y'all play a lot of zone because you have to.

They played a lot of zone before the season was stopped. Since being in the bubble, they have rarely played zone prior to this series so they don't necessarily have to play zone as you claim they do. They went 8-1 in the playoffs to get to the conference finals barely playing any zone. They do it more against Boston to avoid the constant switching as the switching play into Boston favor

 

[Gman]

They played a lot of zone before the season was stopped. Since being in the bubble, they have rarely played zone prior to this series so they don't necessarily have to play zone as you claim they do. They went 8-1 in the playoffs to get to the conference finals barely playing any zone. They do it more against Boston to avoid the constant switching as the switching play into Boston favor

Fair enough. This disagreement will likely be settled over the course of the series.

I predicted Miami would have to play more zone versus Boston... and so far that has certainly been the case.

I admit I am both surprised (and disappointed) with how effective Miami has been (at times) with the zone, but the attacking mentality and success that Boston enjoyed in game 3 gives hope for the future.

 

[ChrisperJ10]

They played a lot of zone before the season was stopped. Since being in the bubble, they have rarely played zone prior to this series so they don't necessarily have to play zone as you claim they do. They went 8-1 in the playoffs to get to the conference finals barely playing any zone. They do it more against Boston to avoid the constant switching as the switching play into Boston favor

What defense were the Heat mostly playing against Milwaukee? I didn’t get to watch that whole series so of course... I’m a little curious

 

[bksballer89]

What defense were the Heat mostly playing against Milwaukee? I didn’t get to watch that whole series so of course... I’m a little curious

Basically what Toronto played last year. Build that wall vs Giannis

 

[ChrisperJ10]

If any team has a chance, you can’t play any kind of zone for that long in a series.

 

[ChrisperJ10]

If your team has to play zone that long, they obviously have to make adjustments...

 

[bksballer89]

If your team has to play zone that long, they obviously have to make adjustments...

They're in the conference finals. Think they're doing more than fine.

 

[ChrisperJ10]

If the Heat come out and run that 2-3 zone again, the same thing is going to happen.... Might as well run a Box and 1 defense...

 

[ChrisperJ10]

They're in the conference finals. Think they're doing more than fine.

Yeah no doubt! I’m rooting for the Heat because Tyler Herro is one of my favorite players, but c’mon man... The Heat can’t play that much zone bruh...

 

[msgkings322]

12-44 from 3 is almost never going to end in a W

Good perimeter D from Boston

 

[msgkings322]

We got a series, I'm happy to say.

 

[wildturkey]

Clearly the difference tonight was Gordon Hayward's mustache. Miami is in trouble. They might have to sneak into Boston's hotel and shave it off if they want to hang onto this series

 

[ChrisperJ10]

Clearly the difference tonight was Gordon Hayward's mustache. Miami is in trouble. They might have to sneak into Boston's hotel and shave it off if they want to hang onto this series

And here I thought I was the only one...

 

[Stakesarehigh]

No offense to the Heat fans but I'd prefer to see a Lakers/Celtics final

 

[trojanfan12]

No offense to the Heat fans but I'd prefer to see a Lakers/Celtics final

I love how the Heat play, but yeah, I'd like to see that old rivalry renewed.

Plus, if the Lakers really are going to win #17 and tie the Celtics for all time titles, it should be against them.

By the same token, if they aren't going to catch them, it should be the Celtics that stop them.