Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers knows Miami Heat more potent with Chris Bosh in the side – NBA Playoffs Update
With reports circulating that Chris Bosh is set to make his return for the Miami Heat in game-5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat; Doc Rivers has conceded that the forward would add to Miami’s offensive threat. Rivers was speaking ahead
of game-5 in Miami, with the series finely poised at 2 – 2.
The Heat have struggled somewhat in the last two games against the Celtics as Boston have won both at home, after initially it looked like they would be blow out by Miami. The Celtics, weakened by injuries and with a veteran roster, have defiantly battled
their way to contention for a spot in the NBA finals.
Now with Chris Bosh all set for return, they will have yet another obstacle in their way. Bosh, who was injured in game-1 of the Heat’s playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, is a multiple time All Star and one of the finest power forwards in the NBA.
Doc Rivers knows that with Bosh on the court, his problems will only multiply and the Celtics defence would have an even tougher job on their hands. He knows that his bigs, Greg Stiemsma and Ryan Hollins, will have to play more and take on more responsibility.
"One of them will play more, [the Heat will] stay big," said Rivers. "The fact that we've had success with the small line-up will probably change with Bosh playing -- they won't go as small. That'll change the way we have to play."
He also dismissed suggestions that Chris could be suffering from rustiness and won’t be involved in the game as much. Rivers believed that Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra will make sure that isn’t the case.
“As a coach, you do want him to get in the way. You want him to play the way he plays; you don't want him to play any differently. I'm sure that's what they will do with Chris."
For his part, Spoelstra said the Heat had changed their offense in the absence of Bosh and hinted that with his return, some kinks in the armour would be gone.
"Our offense has changed considerably with him out," Spoelstra said. "We're making great progress on that end. In the playoffs against a great defensive team, it won't always look fluid."
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