I got to witness Lebron's 45 point beat down of the Celtics in person Thursday night. I still haven't recovered from it and am having trouble thinking of a way the Celtics can win tonight. We can only hope that they can sum up the courage to make the final stand they were unable to make in Game 6. They need to play every possession like it's their last because in many ways it is. Whenever this season ends the "Big 3" era will come to an end. Ray Allen will leave as free agent and Kevin Garnett is also a free agent and is said to be pondering retirement.
If Lebron repeats his Game 6 efforts the Celtics have little chance to win. They have choose to hold down Dwayne Wade by doubling him on pick and rolls but have chose to single cover Lebron even when he catches the ball in the post. I would for them to double Lebron when he catches the ball, move Pierce on to Wade and make guys like Chalmers and Battier make shots to beat them. On offense they have to get the ball to Kevin Garnett early and often and he has to make quick decisive moves in the post. Rajon Rondo also has to finish around the rim and hold down his turnovers.
What will ultimately decide this game though is the play of Paul Pierce. It is actually quite remarkable that the team has gotten to a Game 7 with Pierce yet to have a good offensive game in the series. He seems mentally and physically broken from the pressures of guarding Lebron, but if the Captain and the Truth doesn't come to play tonight we're going to see another blowout.
Keys to victory:
Make at least 7 3's
hold Miami to under 20 free throw attempts
commit fewer than 9 turnovers
win the rebounding battle
get 50 combined points from Garnett and Pierce
Prediction Head: 97-88 Heat
Prediction Heart: 86-84 Celtics
Let's go Celtics!
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