Playoff Preview: Celtics vs. Heat

Contain Wade. Period.

It's a first round date with Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat. Last week, we thought it'd be the Bucks that the Celtics would dance with in the first round but the surprising Heat have catapulted into the 5th seed. Here's how the matchup breaks down:

• The Celtics were 3-0 against the Heat this season, winning by the following scores: 92-85, 112-106, and 107-102, all very tightly contested games.
  
• The Heat finished 25th in the league in scoring at 96.5 points per game while the Celtics finished 19th at 99.2.
• Both teams were in the top six in opponent PPG during the regular season. The Heat came in at 2nd in the league giving up 94.2 per game while the Celtics were sixth at 95.5.
  

Keys to the Series:

1. Stop Dwyane Wade. Wade had another ridiculous campaign averaging 26.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. The Heat ride and die with their perennial MVP candidate and he is more than capable of putting them on his back. Dwyane is an impending free agent and is hungry for another ring.
   
2. Win the Battle of the Boards. The Celtics finished second to last in the NBA in rebounding this season at just 38.6 boards per game. The Heat were more in the middle of the pack at 41.8. While that doesn't seem like too big of a difference, those three boards in a game can mean second chance points, which is critical since the two team's have played one another so closely so far.
   
3. Play with Heart. In reality this is the key to the series. All season when reporters asked what was wrong, the veteran players hinted that there was nothing to worry about and come playoff time this team would be okay. Let's see if they can flip the metaphorical switch. Easier said than done.

The Heat are beatable. However, to do so, the Celtics must play tight defense all the way around--not just on Wade. If the C's can force Miami's role players into tough spots, the team should cruise into the second round. If not, it may be another series like the one against the Bulls last season.

Celtics win, 4-1. Hopefully...