Following their sweep of the debatably under-achieving New York Knicks, the Celtics have stumbled into their second round series against the Heat looking old and tired.  With an 0-2 record thus far, it appears that the speed and athleticism of Miami is simply too much for the C’s.  Some thought Boston’s experience and composure would help them prevail, but so far, Miami has demonstrated these characteristics better than Boston has.  Perhaps it’s the absence of Shaq in the paint or the lack of performance by the bench, but one thing is for certain: if the Celtics don’t get their act together soon, the Big Three very well might have won their last ring together.

After two games in the conference semifinals, Ray Allen averages 16 points and has clearly been the most consistent Celtic in the series.  He continues to knock down shots and do exactly what the team needs from him.  Paul Pierce has 16 a game as well, but also got ejected from game one by letting himself get charged with two completely avoidable technical fouls.  While the second call that ensued a comment in Wade’s direction could be considered questionable, it’s still important that he doesn’t let the intensity take over during a game and commit such a cardinal mistake.  Meanwhile, at the point guard position, Rondo’s greatest fault has been his tendency to get out of control at times.  Four turnovers a game is too much, especially when considering he’s being guarded by the much less talented Mike Bibby.   And then there’s Garnett, with only 11 points a game so far in the series.  KG’s role as emotional leader is less effective when his performance isn’t all the way there.  He has the ability to dominate the match up with Bosh, but he has to tap back into his old physical self and do the work in the paint.  The playoffs aren’t the time to get timid; he has to lay it all on the line if he wants to know what it feels like to win a championship again.  Shaq is preparing for his return on Saturday, and unless some kind of critical set back occurs, he will play.  Perhaps his presence is the pivotal component to Celtic victory, as the C’s defeated the Heat in each of the regular season games he played in.  Lastly, the bench very much so needs to step up their game.  Depth is one of Boston’s greatest advantages, and it can be used more strategically if  they got back to playing how they did earlier in the season.

Any Boston fan knows that their Celtics team can play better than what they’ve seen the past couple of nights, and would hate to once again see an excellent season end on such a disappointing note.  If they were planning on waiting to kick it into gear, now would be the time to do so.  Wade, Bosh, and James are prospected to dominate the league together throughout the years ahead.  However; right now, Allen, Garnett, and Pierce stand in the way as they try to take this chance to teach their three counterparts a little something about the game before their time together is over.  On Saturday, the Miami Heat have to take their talents to Boston in what is a must-win for the Celtics to have a chance at the series.