I think Ray Allen is the key to the Celtics/Heat series.

[UCHuskies08]

The Celtics have an advantage at PG and inside with Bass/Garnett. If Ray can get some scoring going, hit some clutch threes and do a serviceable job on D. Wade, I think the Celtics can have a chance to win this series.

 

[mcs333]

I hope your right but the Celts just have so many injuries including Ray. Ray is just not getting any lift on his jump shot and he is way off. Hopefully somehow he can turn it around.

 

[dsturdy5]

The key will be how he does on Wade. I don't think he had the lateral quickness to stay with him before the injury, now it is likely not even fair. No doubt, that will be the key match up this series.

 

[aceboon]

I would love to see Ray have a revival but he looks like he's pretty much cooked at this point

 

[mcs333]

Coming in to the game Ray is shooting 65% from the FT line in the playoff's. So far tonight he is 3-7. You just know he is hurting. That is not the Ray Allen we know.

 

[RayRay19]

Its tough to see him like this...hes missin FTs...imagine how bad hes hurtin

 

[dsturdy5]

But Jeff Van Gundy said that hurt ankles don't effect your ft's.

 

[ford82]

He is hurting, but I agree with Van Gundy.

 

[UConn990411]

Apparently I'm an idiot for preferring Pierce to take big shots over Ray right now.

(So says one guy on this board, at least.)

 

[tykurez]

Heat fans sticking around for a Game 1 win I see ... would LOVE to play for that fan base.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I think their season effectively ended when Bradley got hurt.

 

[aceboon]

I think their season effectively ended when Bradley got hurt.

Agreed, not only is he already one of the best perimeter defenders his shooting had come a long way and he was knocking jumpers with ease(he was money from the corner). You could get away with Ray looking like this with Bradley there, now Ray is pretty much a liability out there with these extended minutes.

 

[babysheep]

Well, to begin, Paul Pierce has to shoot better than 5/18.

 

[champs99and04]

Apparently I'm an idiot for preferring Pierce to take big shots over Ray right now.

(So says one guy on this board, at least.)

Quite honestly I'm not sure you want either guy taking a big shot right now. Ray is playing on half an ankle and Pierce tore his MCL in the Atlanta series, which is clearly still effecting him. KG is the only guy the Celtics can count on night in and night out right now. Rondo is a great player, but if he's you second biggest scoring threat you're in trouble.

Tonight was discouraging for the Celtics. It's going to be difficult for Boston to win more than a game in this series with James and Wade hounding a hobbled Pierce and Allen.

 

[Dogdeacon]

Yep, with Avery Bradley and everyone healthy the Celtics may have been a slight favorite assuming an injured Bosh.

Even if Bosh doesn't play without Bradley and with very hobbled Ray Allen and minorly hobbled Pierce the Heat will likely win in 5 or 6. Just can't see the Celtics winning 4 times as their best chance is monster games from Garnett or Rondo and neither delivers that consistently. Miami can simply scheme to contain Rondo and let Pierce, Garnett and Ray try and beat younger defenders 1-on-1.

Good news is San Antonio or OKC will likely clobber the Heat. Watching that series is much more entertaining then Heat - Celts.

 

[60'sfan]

Yep, with Avery Bradley and everyone healthy the Celtics may have been a slight favorite assuming an injured Bosh.

Even if Bosh doesn't play without Bradley and with very hobbled Ray Allen and minorly hobbled Pierce the Heat will likely win in 5 or 6. Just can't see the Celtics winning 4 times as their best chance is monster games from Garnett or Rondo and neither delivers that consistently. Miami can simply scheme to contain Rondo and let Pierce, Garnett and Ray try and beat younger defenders 1-on-1.

Good news is San Antonio or OKC will likely clobber the Heat. Watching that series is much more entertaining then Heat - Celts.

I agree but I am not sure that Ray's injury is not affecting his free throws. Did he suddenly become a bad shooter? I guess I can live with the Heat winning this series as long as they get crushed by San Antonio or Oklahoma.

 

[JaYnYcE]

From top to bottom the Eastern Conference is riddled with injuries. It wouldn't be a shock if Miami walks out of this series unscathed.

Looks like my only hope to prevent the Heat from winning lies in Texas. Again.

 

[sparky]

I don't agree with Van Gundy. Ray is a pure shooter and all parts of his body need to be in sync for him hit his shot. He has repositioned his feet on the foul lane to mitigate the discomfort, but it effects his balance and the rhythum of his shot. He is superbly conditioned, but the spurs are causing a mental as well as a physical drain on his game. You just don't go from a 90% FT shooter to abysmal if nothing is wrong.

 

[sparky]

Pietrus, Bass and and Pierce are the keys to the series. Rondo and KG need to do what they do, but Pierce needs to shoot better and he will and P & B need monster performances. I don't think they need big #'s from Ray, but he needs to be a threat to spread they out a bit. Bradley was a huge huge loss.