Celtics More Than Capable of Matching Up With Eastern Conference Foes

by

Oct 23, 2010

Celtics More Than Capable of Matching Up With Eastern Conference Foes Matchups, matchups, matchups. In its purest form, at its highest level, the game of basketball is all about matchups.

The Celtics are the defending Eastern Conference champions, and they've been to the NBA Finals in two of the last three years. But whether they make it back depends on matchups — whoever they meet, they need to have the right personnel and the right game plan to win. It's often easier said than done.

Here's a look at how the Celtics match up with their 14 Eastern Conference rivals.

Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are driven by youth, athleticism and energy, led by Josh Smith and Al Horford. Kevin Garnett and the two O'Neals (Shaquille and Jermaine) will need a fountain of youth for this matchup. The one advantage the C's have athletically is at point guard, where Rajon Rondo will be able to run all over the aging Mike Bibby.

Charlotte Bobcats
Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will find themselves matched up with a pair of active, high-scoring wing guys in Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace. The C's veterans will need to be locked in to neutralize those two matchups — if they can do that, then Rondo, Shaq and Garnett will be too much for the Bobcats to handle.

Chicago Bulls
The Bulls led the league in rebounds last season. That starts with the energetic center Joakim Noah, but it goes all the way down. The C's need to crash the boards from one through five — Rondo and Allen need to be just as active on the glass as the bigs.

Cleveland Cavaliers
No LeBron James means no problem for the Cavs' opponents. As long as you can stop Antawn Jamison (KG can), and outplay Mo Williams (Rondo can), this matchup is a piece of cake. The Cavs were a deep team last year, but most of their role players were only successful because of the superstar by their side. The C's can easily handle the new-look Cavs.

Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have declined since their glory days of last decade, but they can still defend when they need to. Ben Wallace and Tayshaun Prince are solid lock-down guys that make everyone around them better. The Celtics need to minimize their mistakes and play unselfish, efficient basketball. Ball movement and shot selection are key.

Indiana Pacers
In a nutshell: Just don't let Danny Granger beat you. The Pacers' explosive young swingman can go off on you if you're not ready for him. Pierce has to bring his best defensive game for this matchup, else Indy just might pull an upset.

Miami Heat
Yikes. This is the toughest matchup of the 14, but it's winnable for the Celtics. They've got the right guys for the job — Pierce can guard LeBron James, Allen can guard Dwyane Wade, and KG can guard Chris Bosh. The C's Big Three all know how to handle the toughest defensive assignments. That doesn't mean it'll be easy.

Milwaukee Bucks
The trick is to force the Bucks outside. They've got capable scorers in Andrew Bogut and Brandon Jennings, but they're really not a strong jump-shooting team. A solid team effort defensively, especially inside, will force the Bucks to make mistakes. From there, the Celtics will have a clear advantage.

New Jersey Nets
The Nets had the least efficient offense in the game last season — turning the ball over, missing shots, not getting offensive boards. As long as the Celtics keep their wits about them defensively, the Nets will make mistakes and open the door for the C's to win.

New York Knicks
As we already saw in this preseason, here's one thing you don't do: Let Kevin Garnett get ejected. The key to this matchup is stopping Amare Stoudemire, and KG is the right man for that job. The Big Ticket has to be healthy, active and technical foul-free.

Orlando Magic
Historically, the Celtics' secret has been playing Dwight Howard straight up. When you double-team Howard, you're opening up opportunities for Orlando's army of jump shooters, so having one guy that can handle Superman by himself is vital. Kendrick Perkins, when healthy, is up to that task, but without Perk, one of the O'Neals will have to do.

Philadelphia 76ers
Just like with the Pacers and Granger, Paul Pierce draws another tough matchup in Andre Iguodala. The Celtics' captain has to have a big game defensively, and their bigs have to be ready for the physical Elton Brand and the athletic Marreese Speights. The Sixers have some athletes, but the Celtics have the more skilled players. They should be able to get the job done here.

Toronto Raptors
Without Chris Bosh, the Raptors will become even less efficient, even softer and even weaker defensively. They might be the worst team in the league when all's said and done. But with that said, Andrea Bargnani and Leandro Barbosa are still threats, and the C's need to be ready to get out and contest jump shots. Beating the Raptors isn't difficult, but it isn't effortless, either.

Washington Wizards
The Wiz will thrive this season with a three-guard lineup of John Wall, Gilbert Arenas and Kirk Hinrich. Rondo and Allen may need a little help — the Celtics' other little guys may have to pitch in. Expect Nate Robinson, Delonte West and even 15th man Von Wafer to play a role in this matchup.

The Eastern Conference is getting better every year, and the Celtics will have their hands full this season. But they've got the talent and the depth to handle whatever comes their way. Don't take my word for it — watch them in action this season. You'll see for yourself.

Previous Article

New York Not Going to Let Yankees Forget About ALCS Loss Anytime Soon

Next Article

Who Has Been the Bruins’ MVP So Far This Season?

Picked For You