Miami Heat (1-0) vs Boston Celtics (0-1)
When: Thursday, Sept 17th at 7pm.
Where:ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida
TV: ESPN / Radio: N/A
Injuries:
Miami: None
Boston: Gordon Hayward (Out/ Ankle) , Tremont Waters (Day to Day/ Knee)
Miami:
117.0 - points per game
114.0 - points against
47.1 - Field goal %
Boston:
114.0 - points per game
117.0 - points against
44.3 - field goal %
Individual Leaders: Mia/Bos -
Goran Dragic 29.0 / Jayson Tatum 30.0 -Points
Tyler Herro 11.0 / Jayson Tatum 14.0 - Rebounds
Two Tied - 9.0 / Two Tied 6.0 - Assists
Key Match-ups:
Jimmy Butler vs Jayson Tatum
Goran Dragic vs Kemba Walker
Duncan Robinson vs Marcus Smart
Jae Crowder vs Jaylen Brown
Bam Adebayo vs Daniel Theis
Keep an eye on:
Kemba Walker: has to pick it up on BOTH ends. He's struggled this postseason hitting jumpers and defending pick & roll actions, and his struggles were amplified by Miami during Boston's overtime loss on Tuesday. Walker had 19 points and 6 assists, however, he shot 31 percent from the field and 11 percent from 3-point range. To make matters worst, MIami's floor general Goran Dragic had his way, posting a team high 29 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists on a ridiculous 57 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent shooting from deep. It was almost like Walker wasn't on the floor at times. Cardiac Kemba needs to arrive SOON if Boston is to take out the Heat and move on to the finals. It's as simple as that.
Jayson Don't Settle: for hero three pointers. That's what Miami looks for from elite scorers like him. Tatum settled for some questionable shots down the stretch in game one and it cost the Celtics. Tatum shot 4 of 12 from deep but shot 6 of 12 from everywhere else and finished with 30 points. See what i'm seeing? When Tatum is operating out of the mid-range, high and low post, curling off down screens for shots, Miami had no answer for him. When they sent a double, he found the open man, resulting in five assists. At this stage in the playoffs, taking what's there is how you break a tenacious defense like Miami and have them second guessing. Tatum is MORE then capable. He just has to kill them strategically instead of by force. It's the same amount of points, and a win is a win at the end of the day.
Miami Let Em Fly From Deep: should be on their mind as this game approaches. Miami has SEVEN players shooting 36 percent or better from three point range currently in the playoffs. As a team, they're shooting 38 percent in the playoffs and in Tuesday win that didn't change. Miami shot 44 percent from three in their game one win, with Jae Crowder hitting 5-9 and Goran Dragic knocking down 3-6 from three point territory. The Heat has a reputation of being a tough, physical, rugged bunch, yet, they're also very skilled basketball players. If I'm Coach Spo, I'm encouraging the team to shoot more from deep to keep pressure on Boston's defense. If it aint broke, don't fix it right?
