Maybe it is true that the Celtics were simply bored during the regular season, and they are now playing the Celtic defense of old. Take Boston to complete the sweep this afternoon.
To paraphrase Mark Twain, rumors of the Boston Celtics' death appear to have been greatly exaggerated.
Boston has been able to resurrect their smothering defense for just enough of each game against the Miami Heat to make the Miami players look like call-ups from the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the Development League.
A few months ago, when the Celtics had lost yet another home game against one in a string of inferior opponents, center Kendrick Perkins suggested that the Celtics were pretty much bored the necessity of having to complete the requirements of the regular season, and that it was a malady that would be easily fixed come playoff time.
Perkins was roundly criticized for the comment, but it turns out he may have been on to something. The defense that Boston brought to the court during its 2008 title run is back, and while the Heat may be among the weakest post-season entrants, they do have Dyane Wade, who is among the top five players in the league.
The Celtics, though, are about as good as it gets in stopping teams that are dominated by one scorer. They did it to LeBron James and Kobe Bryant two years ago, and are having similar success with Wade. Teams that give trouble are those with balanced scoring (the Bulls and Magic in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, for example).
Boston has enough weapons offensively, even considering Kevin Garnett’s startling diminishing offensive skills. Ray Allen looks like he’ll be able to score his way into another contract next season, Paul Pierce remains dangerous enough even as his game drifts away from the hoop, and Rajon Rondo has the most unique game in the league.
But the Celtics will go only as far as their defense will take them, and with Cleveland on the horizon, that may be only for another week or week and a half. But it’s more than enough to get them into the second round.
What is going through Dwyane Wade’s mind right now? Certainly he knows that the Heat will not regain their composure enough to win four straight games. Does he have enough mental strength to gather himself for one more game and lead his team to a victory in what may be his final game ever as a member of the Heat? If Boston gets a lead in Game 4, the Heat will likely fade into oblivion. Who leads them back? Jermaine O’Neal? Quentin Richardson?
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The play here is Boston +1. Parlay players should take a long look at the Under.
Free Pick:
Celtics +1 (-110)