This year's Eastern Conference Finals is a series between and old and new era. While Boston's Big Three is on their last leg, the Miami Heat's Big Three are looking to be the kings of this decade. Boston's Big Three has seen it all even before they were teammates and have all been around since I was between the ages of three and six. With this all being said, here is what to watch for in this year's match-up.
On Boston's Side:
Boston is going to have to rely on Kevin Garnett to continue his consistent play for this series. Also, with no one really to guard Dwayne Wade, there will be a lot trouble making sure he doesn't score, especially after he was on a tear in the last couple of games in the semi-finals. Rajon Rondo also has to be the the best player on the team in order for the Celtics to win. He is going to have to have the type of nights that he had in game seven where he took over the fourth quarter. If Rondo can show that confidence, the entire team will go on his back and it will give the Celtics Big Three a chance to drink from the fountain of youth with a chance to reach the NBA Finals for the third time in five years.
On Miami's Side
If LeBron James and Dwayne Wade can do what they did in the last games of the semi-finals against the Pacers, the Heat will be in the finals for sure. If they can't get their role players such as Mike Miller and Shane Battier involved, it will be a tough series because once you take LeBron and Wade out of the paint, they are the most vulnerable team in the playoffs. With that being said, Udonis Haslem needs to be very physical and must be on his defensive game in this series as long as Chris Bosh is out. With him out, the Heat will have their hands full against Brandon Bass and Kevin Garnett. However if LeBron James and Dwayne Wade attack the paint, the Boston Big Three era will come to an end.
Match-Ups
Mario Chalmers vs. Rajon Rondo
Advantage: Rajon Rondo
Rajon Rondo is a walking triple double and will give Mario Chalmers and the rest of the Miami Heat a huge headache.
Ray Allen vs Dwayne Wade
Adavantage: Dwayne Wade
The only way that The Celtics are going to stop Dwayne Wade is if they put a good defender with long arms like Mickael Pietrus. If the year was 2001 or 2002, then we'd be talking about what great of a match-up this will be and how close it is going to be. But with old legs vs. younger and quicker legs, this match-up is easily Wade's.
Paul Pierce vs LeBron James
Advantage: LeBron James
As great as a defender as Paul Pierce is, he's going up against the best player in the world who is also having an outstanding postseason. LeBron James will win this battle, enough said.
Udonis Haslem vs. Brandon Bass
Advantage: Udonis Haslem
As good a player as Brandon Bass is, Udonis Haslem is the type of guy that can defend on the ball as well as without the ball. Haslem has scored double-digits in his past two games and even if his play isn't always shown in the box score, he can shut down a lot of people and give guys like Bass some trouble. With his physical play, Udonis Haslem wins this match-up.
Ronny Turiaf vs Kevin Garnett
Advantage: Kevin Garnett
This is an easy one. Even though Garnett is playing center which is not his natural position, most people on the Heat without Bosh will be a bad match-up against Garnett. Garnett has been the most consistent player on the Celtics in this entire postseason and is playing as if he was back in his Timberwolves days, averaging 19 points and 10 rebounds per game. Also, this guy is probably one of the most physical players and most determined players in the NBA today and he is on a mission to try and win one more championship and will not let a guy like Turiaf get in his way.
Prediction for the Series:
The Miami Heat will win this series in six close games because of the quickness of LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. When those two guys are going off, there's very little a player can do to stop them. Also, if Mike Miller, Norris Cole, Shane Battier, and Udonis Haslem play well, the Heat will be very tough to beat. This means it'll be the Miami Heat representing the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.
