The Boston Celtics Look To Win The Season Series Against The Miami Heat Tonight

Let’s face it, Boston Celtics fans: at this point in the NBA regular season, we don’t actually want the Celtics to win too many games, since a win could not only reduce Boston’s chance of picking first in the NBA draft, but could

Jan 21, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics point guard

(9) dribbles the ball as Miami Heat point guard

(30) defends in the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 93-86. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

also push Boston out of the top five, which would effectively eliminate the team from from the Parker-Wiggins-Embiid-Randle-Vonleh sweepstakes.

If this was a normal game preview, then, I would be okay discussing why the Celtics will lose tonight’s game.

But this is the Miami Heat we’re talking about, folks.  It may be the last time I write this all season, but dammit, I want Boston to do whatever it takes to win this game tonight.

These two teams have already met twice this season, and since each team has won a game against the other, tonight’s rubber match will decide whether it will be Boston or Miami that can brag about winning the season series.  I don’t care if Miami goes on to win its third-straight championship; I’ll get hours of satisfaction out of reminding Heat fans that the lowly Boston Celtics won two of three against The King and company this season.

Petty?  Yes.  Do I care?  No, no, and no.

So how can the over-matched Celtics steal a win tonight?  Getting Rajon Rondo‘s offense back on track would be a great start.  Rondo is only shooting 11 for 44 over his last three games, and worse yet, he went 0 for 8 with one point the last time Boston met Miami.  One point!  That means he couldn’t even make two consecutive free throws!  Boston has lost the last three games that Rondo has played in by single digits every time, so you have to think that those losses would have been wins had Rondo been more efficient from the floor.  He is going to have be at his best tonight in order for the Celtics to leave the court with a W.

Mar 18, 2013; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward

(8) is guarded by Miami Heat guard/forward

(31) during the fourth quarter at TD Banknorth Garden. The Miami Heat won 105-103. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Another clutch performance from Jeff Green would also go a long way toward sending the Heat back to South beach unhappy tonight.  Green usually ups his game when facing the Heat, and the last time Boston played Miami at home, Green exploded for a career-high 43 points.  Green didn’t shoot the ball well against Dallas Monday evening (2-12, five points), but he had been playing his most consistent basketball of the season up until that point, so Jeff, if you can swing it, get back in the groove and be aggressive looking for your shot tonight!

Tonight’s game is set to tip-off at 7:30 p.m.  Follow staff writer Trey on Twitter @HoudiniCeltics, and check back in with him after the game for his reactions!  Beat the Heat!