Not Finishing Strong

If the Celtics want to be successful this season, they need to dispel their reputation as a team that lets up in the second half. Their failure to beat the Cavs was a perfect example of the Celtics' tendency to get complacent when it comes to closing out teams, as was their minor collapse in the second half against Miami when their gigantic lead was slashed into by LeBron's individual attempt to take over the Heat's offense. Furthermore, they failed to put away a Knicks' team that is definitely improved, but should still be no match for our defending Eastern Conference champs. Keeping up their solid play after halftime is always an area of concern for this team, like it has been for seasons past, and the younger guys like Rondo, Nate, Big Baby, and even Marquis Daniels need to bring the energy when all the older veterans on the roster cannot. Very few teams match up talent-wise with the Celtics, and they need to close out games and secure these easy wins against teams like the Cavs. J.J. Hickson should not be able to outmuscle all the all-star and former all-star big men that Boston has down low.

The Celtics take on the Pistons tonight, and while this Detroit team has so far played better than some people expected, they are the third team in a row that the Celtics should have no real trouble beating. Rodney Stuckey is their playmaker, and should be much easier to contain than guys like LeBron and D-Wade. The key to this game is how Jermaine O'Neal plays in his first start with Shaq sitting out due to injury. J.O. was suppossed to be the starter this year, and while his play has been sub-par this season, I expect good things from him in his first start via blocks and rebounds, and hopefully some clutch baskets down low too.

On another note, It will be difficult for the Celts to get through the game using only Jermaine, Kevin Garnett, and Big Baby down low since none of them are in tip-top physical shape, so don't be too suprised to see some minutes from Semih Erden or maybe even Luke Harangody. I wanted Shaq to be coming off the bench this year, and as a starter he is already missing time because of injuries after only three games. I hope that J.O. can assert himself tonight as the potential starting center for the Celtics, so that the second unit of Shaq, Big Baby, and Nate Robinson can come in to dominate other teams' benches all season long. Shaq is still good enough to be starting, but will not be able to do so without missing a significant amount of time this season, and he is much more valuable to the Celtics on the bench than on the injured reserve.