Series Preview
Either the Boston Celtics are a sleeping giant about to awaken…or they’re just sleeping. You can’t fault them for being tired since they’re so old, but the last thing the Miami Heat want to do is disrespect the 2008 NBA Champions. If the Celtics’ main mission during the NBA betting regular season was to “get to the playoffs healthy” then they’ve accomplished it. Have they reserved enough in the tank to get through four grueling series and win another championship?
For Miami, the biggest heart break of this season won’t be losing to the Celtics. It’ll be losing Dwyane Wade. Still, Wade has brought South Beach to the promised land already back in 2006. Considering his supporting cast this year, however, it’s hard to imagine Wade returning the Heat to championship glory.
Player To Watch – Ray Allen (G – Boston Celtics)
The 33-year old sharp shooter is in the final year of his contract, with no extension in sight. The Celtics tried to trade him at the deadline, but failed to find any buyers worthy of note. Let’s not forget that Allen and Rondo formed one of the scariest backcourt scoring tandems in last year’s playoffs. Allen averaged 18.3 points in 14 post-season games last year, which included a 51-point jaw dropper against Chicago.
What will be interesting is how much dedication Allen shows to a team that hasn’t even sniffed the idea of a contract extension, and shopped him around like a prized doll earlier this season. Ever the professional, Allen will take the high road and steady the perimeter scoring of the Celtics again. It will not only boost his own value in free-agency this summer, but it could make the Celtics a dangerous playoff team.
Why The Boston Celtics Will Win This Series
The Celtics were scared that their coveted Boston Three Party was getting old, injured and exhausted. So what did they do? They spent over $13 million to bolster their bench to ease the pressure of their main guys. The only guy worth questioning on the bench is Rasheed Wallace, who’s not exactly giving the best example to fellow teammate Glen Davis, also known to be quite tubby.
But that depth is exactly why Boston is 9-1 SU and 7-3 ATS against the Heat to begin with. After Dwyane Wade, who the hell can the Miami Heat betting faithful count on? Everyone’s trying to convince me that Michael Beasley has “finally arrived” but the more I look at his numbers, the less impressed I am. In his past five games alone he’s averaged a whopping 13.8 points and 6.4 rebounds.
If that’s the second best player on the Miami Heat, then only God can dig you out of this hole.
Final Verdict
Dwyane Wade will be a hero in two games, especially if Ray Allen is stuck having to defend him all by himself. The Celtics will either prove they were playing possum throughout the NBA betting season, or that they are as old as everyone thinks they are. Still, as terrible as you might think the Celtics are, the Miami Heat are far worse. They better hope they score big in free-agency this summer.
Furious NBA Playoff Series Prediction: Boston Celtics in 6
