The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics enter tonight's game tied 1-1 in the 2010 Eastern Conference Semifinals Round. Interestingly enough, the teams found themselves in a similar situation when they matched up in the 1992 Eastern Conference Playoffs. While the Celtics took Game 3 in that series, the Cavs took Game 4 and won in 7 games.
Apparently, this series is loaded with injuries, from LeBron James's elbow to Kevin Garnett's ankle. Despite the medical conditions, it appears that none of the injured players will miss the game tonight.
While Boston will look to maintain what worked in Game 2, Cleveland will need to make some adjustments.
Boston Celtics
> The Rondo and Wallace show: Look for Coach Doc Rivers to continue riding the stellar play of Rajon Rondo. Likewise, Rivers will hope that Rasheed Wallace can duplicate his Game 2 offensive performance.
> Pierce and Allen: At least one these two players will need to be on tonight for the Celtics to win. If history shows any indications, Paul Pierce will have his best games at the end of the series. Meanwhile, Ray Allen continues to give the Cavaliers' defense some problems. Look for Boston to utilize Pierce and Allen to tire out and frustrate the Cavs defense.
> Perkins in the post?: It will be interesting to see if Coach Rivers changes things up with the lineups, in particular the starting lineup. As has been seen thus far in this series, Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins do not have good chemistry in relation to the matchup with the Cavaliers. As such, it would be interesting to see if Boston moves Perkins to the bench and starts either Wallace or Glen Davis. This move is more likely to happen if the Celtics lose Game 3.
Cleveland Cavaliers
> Countering Rondo and Wallace: The Cavaliers will need to do a better job playing defense in Game 3. The focus begins with Rajon Rondo and Rasheed Wallace. While Rondo is much improved from when the Cavaliers faced him in the 2008 Playoffs, he should not be dominating the game as he currently is in the series. Coach Brown will likely stick with what was done in Games 1 and 2: switch Mo Williams to guard Ray Allen and Anthony Parker to guard Rondo. Yet, a potentially better situation would be to play Delonte West and Daniel Gibson together to handle Rondo and Allen. Gibson has improved his defense, and his increased strength can frustrate the contact-shy Rondo and Allen. Moreover, Gibson's sharpshooting counters the hot shooting of Allen and Wallace.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers need to adjust their situation with the power forward and center positions. For one, the offense should go more through Antawn Jamison, not Shaquille O'Neal, during the first quarter. This was a strategy that worked well against the Chicago Bulls, and despite different matchups, could work well in Boston. Meanwhile, J.J. Hickson and Zydrunas Ilgauskas could provide some matchup problems for Wallace and the other Celtics' big men. Lastly, Coach Brown should seriously consider activating Leon Powe. Powe could give Wallace and Glen Davis problems on both ends of the court.
> Countering Pierce and Allen: The suggested strategy versus Allen and Rondo in the backcourt is outlined above. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers must continue to keep Paul Pierce's offense in check. Although Garnett is the center of the emotion while Rondo and Davis bring the most energy to the Celtics lineup, Pierce is the true heart of the team. His clutch play sank the Cavaliers in the 2008 Playoffs, and this year, could cause problems to the injured LeBron James. LeBron must stay on Pierce. If the Cavaliers recall from last year, they lost their hold on the Magic series in Game 1 when Coach Brown moved a fatigued James to cover point guard Rafer Alston, leaving the Magic's Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, and Mickael Pietrus to score at will.
> Forcing the issue against Perkins in the post: Among other players, J.J. Hickson should be given more minutes to frustrate Kendrick Perkins in the post. This would force Wallace, Davis, or Kevin Garnett to guard Shaquille O'Neal in the post.
Closing Thoughts
> It is again clear that the Cavaliers miss the coaching services of John Kuester, who left to become the Head Coach of the Detroit Pistons after last season. Kuester was Coach Brown's "Offensive Coordinator". Without Kuester, the Cavs' offense has been too inconsistent, often hitting spells where they stop moving around and fail to completely challenge the opposing defense.
> Despite their non-use in Games 1 and 2, Daniel Gibson and Leon Powe remain potential X-factors off the bench. Gibson seems to be the answer to Rondo, while Powe can match up with Davis and Wallace off the Celtics' bench.
> Mike Brown needs to outcoach Doc Rivers. Both coaches are solid coaches, but both are also very stubborn in sticking with gameplans, even when those gameplans are not working. Thus, if Coach Brown is willing to vary his strategy, he can overcome Rivers's motivation of the Celtics.
Apparently, this series is loaded with injuries, from LeBron James's elbow to Kevin Garnett's ankle. Despite the medical conditions, it appears that none of the injured players will miss the game tonight.
While Boston will look to maintain what worked in Game 2, Cleveland will need to make some adjustments.
Boston Celtics
> The Rondo and Wallace show: Look for Coach Doc Rivers to continue riding the stellar play of Rajon Rondo. Likewise, Rivers will hope that Rasheed Wallace can duplicate his Game 2 offensive performance.
> Pierce and Allen: At least one these two players will need to be on tonight for the Celtics to win. If history shows any indications, Paul Pierce will have his best games at the end of the series. Meanwhile, Ray Allen continues to give the Cavaliers' defense some problems. Look for Boston to utilize Pierce and Allen to tire out and frustrate the Cavs defense.
> Perkins in the post?: It will be interesting to see if Coach Rivers changes things up with the lineups, in particular the starting lineup. As has been seen thus far in this series, Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins do not have good chemistry in relation to the matchup with the Cavaliers. As such, it would be interesting to see if Boston moves Perkins to the bench and starts either Wallace or Glen Davis. This move is more likely to happen if the Celtics lose Game 3.
Cleveland Cavaliers
> Countering Rondo and Wallace: The Cavaliers will need to do a better job playing defense in Game 3. The focus begins with Rajon Rondo and Rasheed Wallace. While Rondo is much improved from when the Cavaliers faced him in the 2008 Playoffs, he should not be dominating the game as he currently is in the series. Coach Brown will likely stick with what was done in Games 1 and 2: switch Mo Williams to guard Ray Allen and Anthony Parker to guard Rondo. Yet, a potentially better situation would be to play Delonte West and Daniel Gibson together to handle Rondo and Allen. Gibson has improved his defense, and his increased strength can frustrate the contact-shy Rondo and Allen. Moreover, Gibson's sharpshooting counters the hot shooting of Allen and Wallace.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers need to adjust their situation with the power forward and center positions. For one, the offense should go more through Antawn Jamison, not Shaquille O'Neal, during the first quarter. This was a strategy that worked well against the Chicago Bulls, and despite different matchups, could work well in Boston. Meanwhile, J.J. Hickson and Zydrunas Ilgauskas could provide some matchup problems for Wallace and the other Celtics' big men. Lastly, Coach Brown should seriously consider activating Leon Powe. Powe could give Wallace and Glen Davis problems on both ends of the court.
> Countering Pierce and Allen: The suggested strategy versus Allen and Rondo in the backcourt is outlined above. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers must continue to keep Paul Pierce's offense in check. Although Garnett is the center of the emotion while Rondo and Davis bring the most energy to the Celtics lineup, Pierce is the true heart of the team. His clutch play sank the Cavaliers in the 2008 Playoffs, and this year, could cause problems to the injured LeBron James. LeBron must stay on Pierce. If the Cavaliers recall from last year, they lost their hold on the Magic series in Game 1 when Coach Brown moved a fatigued James to cover point guard Rafer Alston, leaving the Magic's Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, and Mickael Pietrus to score at will.
> Forcing the issue against Perkins in the post: Among other players, J.J. Hickson should be given more minutes to frustrate Kendrick Perkins in the post. This would force Wallace, Davis, or Kevin Garnett to guard Shaquille O'Neal in the post.
Closing Thoughts
> It is again clear that the Cavaliers miss the coaching services of John Kuester, who left to become the Head Coach of the Detroit Pistons after last season. Kuester was Coach Brown's "Offensive Coordinator". Without Kuester, the Cavs' offense has been too inconsistent, often hitting spells where they stop moving around and fail to completely challenge the opposing defense.
> Despite their non-use in Games 1 and 2, Daniel Gibson and Leon Powe remain potential X-factors off the bench. Gibson seems to be the answer to Rondo, while Powe can match up with Davis and Wallace off the Celtics' bench.
> Mike Brown needs to outcoach Doc Rivers. Both coaches are solid coaches, but both are also very stubborn in sticking with gameplans, even when those gameplans are not working. Thus, if Coach Brown is willing to vary his strategy, he can overcome Rivers's motivation of the Celtics.