Boston Celtics a win away from securing a berth in NBA Finals; Miami Heat on the brink – NBA Preview
The Boston Celtics will take on the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals at the TD Garden on Thursday night. The Celtics are up 3-2 in the series and have a chance of closing the series in front
of their home crowd to qualify for the NBA Finals for the third time in 5 years.
Boston and Miami have developed a bitter rivalry over the course of the last few years. Miami eliminated Boston from the playoffs last year, but the Celtics knocked the Heat off in the first round of the 2010
playoffs. LeBron James was with Cleveland at that time, and the Celtics defeated him and the Cavaliers in the 2nd round of the 2010 playoffs, denying him of his last chance to win an NBA Championship with his hometown team.
That was also the last game James played as a Cavalier.
Miami has lost 15 of its last 16 regular season games at Boston. For some reason, the Celtics have become an issue for them, even though the Heat have formed a big three like the Big Three of Boston that won
the NBA championship, and are much more younger, energetic and athletic than their Celtic counterparts.
"We plan to win the ballgame. We've got to win. That's all we've got to do. Can't listen to the noise. I'm not. I'm sure our team is not. We're just focused on winning this ballgame,” said Dwyane Wade before
departing for Boston.
Miami had the home court advantage in the series after finishing the season with a better record than the Celtics. But after both teams winning their home games and the series tied at 2-2, the Celtics surprised
everyone by defeating the Heat at home, considering that Miami are one of the best home teams in the NBA. It was more surprising since Chris Bosh had returned for Miami and they seemed to be in good rhythm to start the game. However, the Celtics have perseverance
and patience, and used those two traits to stay in the game and clinch the victory at the end.
Now, Boston have the opportunity to win the series by winning just one more game at home. They would like to do so in order to get some rest before the NBA Finals, which start on Tuesday night. The opponents
of either the Celtics or the Heat in the NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder, secured their spot with a game 6 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night and have a good few days of rest before the Finals start.
The Celtics have been battling with injuries all season long and it’s not getting any better in the playoffs. Ray Allen is still fighting an injury to his right ankle. He left the game 5 to get it treated, but
returned later in the game. Paul Pierce is suffering from a knee injury. Even Rajon Rondo seems to have aggravated the injury to his left shoulder that was dislocated in last year’s playoffs. He was seen adjusting the sleeve that he wears on it. But despite
the injury worries for the Celtics, they will need one more heroic performance from their stars if they want to travel to the NBA Finals.
With a lack of depth in the roster, the Celtics heavily rely on Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo. Rondo had only 7 points in game 5 and the Celtics will be looking for a double-double game from him.
Garnett is the key behind the Celtics defense, playing like a possessed man in search for another ring before he retires. He has been unstoppable in the series, with Miami failing to guard him in the paint. In the absence of Bosh, Garnett has been having his
way so far.
Bosh played 14 minutes in game 5 after missing 9 straight games since suffering a strained abdominal muscle in game 1 of the series against the Indiana Pacers. He looked in good form, scoring 9 points and 7 rebounds.
However, he was benched for the final stretch of the game in a move by Coach Erik Spoelstra that many people have since questioned. Bosh is hoping to play more minutes in game 6 and will be crucial in Miami’s attempt to limit or contain Garnett.
"I think he'll be able to handle a bigger load of minutes. It'll be based more on how he feels during the game,” said Spoelstra regarding Bosh.
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