Celtics-Heat

The night that LeBron James made The Decision to "take his talents" to South Beach, the NBA began dreaming of an Eastern Conference playoff matchup between the Celtics and the Heat.  David Stern probably hoped that they would meet with a trip to the Finals on the line but Derrick Rose and the Bulls foiled that plan.  I'm guessing that they will gladly settle for Boston-Miami in the Eastern Semifinals.

The Heat are coming off a first round win over the 76ers, their first playoff series victory since winning the 2006 NBA championship.  The Celtics swept away the Knicks in the first round and look ready to lock horns with LeBron, D-Wade, and Chris Bosh as they seek a second title in four years.

You already know that I will be picking the Celtics in this series.  I believe now - like I did back in October - that Rajon Rondo and the Celtics size inside will be the deciding factors against the Heat. 

Rondo will have a field day against Mike Bibby and Mario Chalmers and if the Heat are forced to bump either James or Wade onto Rondo patrol, then Paul Pierce or Ray Allen will start getting great looks at the basket.

Jermaine O'Neal showed serious signs of life against the Knicks and reports on the return of Shaquille O'Neal are encouraging.  When the O'Neals are teamed up with Kevin Garnett, Glen Davis (who played his best basketball since January in Games 3 and 4 of the Knicks series), and Nenad Krstic, the Celtics have too much size for Miami to handle.

I also believe that Jeff Green will prove his value to the Celtics as a defensive presence on James and Wade and will find his shooting touch against the Heat.  After this series ends with a Game 6 victory in Boston, the people criticizing Danny Ainge for trading Kendrick Perkins will start to see the wisdom behind the deal.