WALTHAM, Mass. — Over the last three seasons, the Boston Celtics have found ways to load up and knock LeBron James and Dwyane Wade out of the playoffs. Now it’s time to see what the two stars — plus big man Chris Bosh — can do together.
Ever since James and Bosh joined Wade in Miami last summer, the conventional theory held that the Heat had stacked their team enough to overwhelm Boston. That’s the plan, anyways.
Boston, of course, has different plans. The Celtics beat the Heat three of four times during the regular season and carry plenty of confidence that they can do it four more times in the Eastern Conference playoff semifinal series that begins Sunday afternoon in Miami.
But the challenge awaiting Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and the rest of the Celtics is unlike any they’ve faced in their years together.
“They have three elite offensive players. We’ve got our work cut out for us,” said Garnett.
Revenge is certainly on the Heat’s mind. Boston knocked a Wade-led Miami team out of the playoffs in the first round a year ago. Wade wasn’t the reason. He averaged 33.2 points, 6.8 assists and shot 56 percent from the field in a 4-1 series loss. The Heat’s only win came courtesy of a 46-point Wade explosion.
James has much more reason to hate the Celtics. In 2008, his Cavaliers gave the Celts all they could handle in a seven-game, classic series. The Cavs weren’t extinguished until James’ 45 points were nearly matched by Pierce’s 41 in a Game Seven thriller at TD Garden.
Last season, the Cavaliers held the homecourt edge but fumbled it away in a 104-86 embarrassment in Game Two. Then, in Game Five, James was an odd no-show as he made just three of his 14 shots and the Celtics blew the Cavs out again, 120-88. That would be James’ final game in Cleveland as the Celts won Game Six and closed out the series.
Pierce says he understands if James has it out for him and the Celtics.
“Probably so at this point,” said Pierce. “When you lose to a team two times in the playoffs …I mean, it would be personal for me. I’m sure he’s going to take it personal and you’ve got to expect his best.”
Pierce has oddly been credited with being some sort of LeBron Stopper over the last few years. While James hasn’t dominated every time he’s faced Boston, he did average 26.7 points and 7.6 assists in the 2008 series and 26.8 points and 7.2 assists last season. Those are not exactly shut-down numbers, but Pierce knows James is his defensive litmus test.
“It doesn’t get any easier for a guy in my position,” said Pierce. “It seems like in every round there will be another great player (to defend). Playing against Carmelo (Anthony) and all the things he does offensively just prepares you for playing against a guy like LeBron.
“With LeBron you have to be aware pretty much all over the court. He’s a big part of what they do, a real focal point. So it’s another challenge for me.”
Ray Allen will certainly draw the assignment on Wade, just like he did a year ago. That test could weigh on Allen’s offensive game, especially late in games when a jump shooter’s legs grow weary. Asked if he can see Pierce on Wade or even Rajon Rondo sliding over at times, coach Doc Rivers tossed some cold water on that possibility.
“Any time we over-help, we tend to hurt ourselves,” said Rivers. “We don’t love the (Rondo-Wade) matchup. The numbers bear out that when we guard our own guys we’re pretty good. When we guard other guys we’re pretty bad, against this team in particular.”
The Celtics concede that both James and Wade are too talented and take too many shots not to enjoy big scoring games throughout the series. Maybe that’s why limiting Bosh will be the ultimate key. After clearly looking like the third wheel at times during the regular season, Bosh averaged 19.8 points and 9.0 rebounds in a first round win over the 76ers and looked more comfortable than ever with his two scoring pals.
The good news for the Celtics is Bosh will be shadowed by Garnett. Bosh was limited to 15 points a game vs. Boston this season, a number the Celts would gladly take in the playoffs.
“I think he’s one of their key guys,” said Rivers. “LeBron and Wade are Lebron and Wade. They were great before the series and they’ll be great after and in the summer when you talk about them you’ll say they’re great players. That’s not going to change. But when Bosh plays great, then their team plays great. He’s a key guy for them.”
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