For these playoff previews we are going to take a look at each team individually, and then we are going to look at the match-up.

Boston Celtics

Strengths

What the Celtics do well.

• Defense
• High Assist Rate
• Defensive Rebounding
• Getting To The Free Throw Line

Weaknesses

Some problems the Celtics struggle with

• Turnovers
• Offensive Rebounding
• Three Point Shooting

Tendencies

Some things you are going to notice when watching the Celtics play.

• The Celtics play loose and free with the basketball.  They rack up a lot of assists, but also turn the basketball over a ton too.

Key Set

• Pick and Roll on the Wing for Paul Pierce

The Celtics run this screen for Pierce a ton.  It usually comes at the end of the shot clock after the Celtics explore other options.  It is sort of a safety play they run.  It works too because Pierce can come over the screen and hit the jumper or he can go away from the screen, attack baseline and get to the hoop.

Miami Heat

Strengths

What the Heat do well

• Dwyane Wade
• Defensive efficiency
• Rebounding
• Limits turnovers

Weaknesses

Some problems the Heat struggle with

• Struggles to score at times
• Poor Three Point shooting
• Low assist rate

Tendencies

Some things you are going to notice when watching the Heat play.

• The Heat’s low assist rate has a lot to do with their reliance on Dwyane Wade.  Wade is a tremendous talent, but the Heat kind of rely on him to do everything.  They need him to score.  They need him to create for others.  They need him to defend.  Against a team like the Celtics, this could be too much for him to do.

Key Set

• Slip and Set Screen

I really like this play that the Heat run.  When Haslem comes up to set his screen, all the attention is on him.  The defense is getting themselves into position to play their pick and roll defense and everything.  Then all of a sudden Haslem slips his screen.  If he is open, Wade will get it to him.  If not, Jermaine O’Neal comes up and sets a screen on the other side of the elbow.  The defense is caught off guard because they were preparing to defend a screen on the other side.  O’Neal sets a solid screen, and that frees Wade up to create.

Key Matchup

Rajon Rondo vs. Carlos Arroyo

In the playoffs, Rajon Rondo is a triple double waiting to happen.  If the Heat want to win this series, they need to slow him down.  Because he creates for his teammates, slowing Rondo down actually slows down the rest of the Celtics as well.  On the other end, if Arroyo makes Rondo work on defense, that could tire him out on offense.

My Prediction

Celtics in 7

Another 7 games series.  I think the Celtics have too many guys who can go off than the Heat do, and I think that will help Celtics win the series.