What Did Florida Trip Reveal?

The Celtics completed their Florida trip with a sweep, first the Heat, then, last night, the Magic. In both games the outcame was predictable from the very beginning. As is well-known, both Miami and Orlando are to be reckoned with seriously come the plyoffs. Orlando, had just completed their trip to the West successfully, having beaten, among others, the Lakers on their own court. Yet, the Celtics dominated both games, and they did it with style. Here are the factors which were important for the trip and will continue being important through the rest of the season.

• Garnett contributes good plays consistently : scoring, rebounding, passing, deflections & blocks, energy, denials after the whistle. Kevin being Kevin is what makes this team so threatening.
• Either Paul or Ray have a good shooting night. If both of them struggle, the Celtics struggle. What also works is when Ray starts hot and Paul finishes the game hot.
• Rondo dictates the rhythm, with few turnovers, penetration to the paint, timely and accurate passing, and he scores 10 points or more. He keeps increasing confidence in his mid-range and his long-range shot.
• Perkins is healthy enough to play significant minutes. This is critical to solidify the defense in the paint and to free Garnett to roam around, harass the guards and shut down the forward.
• At least one of the bench players rises to the occasion. In the Heat game it was Eddie, last night it was Big Baby. It would make an excellent team great if one of the reserves would do it consistently (maybe there are traces of something good in Big Baby making several mid-range shots in a row) and somebody else contributes good plays every night they play. At this point I am also convinced in Scalabrini’s role on the team. His positioning on defense is excellent and him being in the game at times lifts the team if only because the opposing team won’t take him seriously.
• Doc Rivers remains open to change when things don’t work out. There is no need to force Eddie as a point guard when that doesn’t work; willingness to trust Gabe is important, as well as living through some of Big Baby’s mistakes to get his contribution later. We haven’t seen much of Bill Walker and I have a feeling he is eager to contribute and ready to jump aboard.

Of course, there will be bad games, but it is not a too far-fetched thought that Celtics can continue playing as outlined above, and – what should be a scary thought to other teams – even improve. It is imaginable, for example, that Gabe Pruitt will keep maturing as a player, that Eddie, Leon, and Glen will all have a good game the same night, that Tony Allen will return to his old self.

Miami Game

Orlando Game