No Regard Previews: Brain Burner

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight: Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics

After one disappointing and three amazing games, the Miami Heat host the Boston Celtics tonight in what has the potential to be a historic battle. An historic, even, if that's how you choose to speak. Then again, as my partner-in-crime, Andrew Abides, noted last night during a conversation we had over the Internet, it could potentially fall flat.

“I have no idea what to expect out of this series anymore,” he typed. Mr. Abides’ astute observation is well-noted. So far, this series has given us just about everything. And with a guaranteed two, potentially three more games, just about anything could happen.
You know it’s the playoffs in Miami during the LeBron Era when Coach Spo goes into full on “shuffle-the-lineup-early-and-often” mode. We like to envision a stressed out Spo, dragging his hands through his hair, furiously scribbling lineups onto wax paper and then immediately erasing them. When he asks Pat Riley for advice on who to start, Norris Cole or Super Nintendo Chalmers, based on some complicated analytics he’s gathered, Riley replies by stating, “Whatever you think, pal. Listen we’ve got some girls headed out on the boat tonight, you coming with?"

We do not know what to expect from Miami’s rotation: Will Bosh start? Will Norris Cole find himself point-guarding in the Eastern Conference Finals again? Will Ronny Turiaf try and box out Kevin Garnet?

I am horrified of what LeBron is capable of tonight. The MVP hit a cold-blooded, game-tying three-pointer to give his boys a chance in game four, and after the horn blows, all the focus is on Dwyane Wade. Who, by the way, missed a potential game-winner in OT, and instead of being criticized for fading away from the hoop or not driving, is praised for his impressive pump-fake to get open. Watch out for a King James overblown stat line tonight—something like 40 points on (13-17), 12 boards, 3 blocks, 5 assists, and 2 steals—just to remind everyone that this is his team and this is his NBA. For it was a game five many moons ago against the Pistons in which King James took the first step in becoming the player he is today: 29 of his team's last 30 points in the 4th quarter and overtime to lead the Cavs in an upset.

Maybe it’s not entirely his NBA though, as Rajon Pierre Rondo, is making a case otherwise. We know two things about RPR: He plays his best under the brightest lights and he called out the Heat players for whining at halftime of game four. Look for Rondo to continue to be a score-first quarterback as Boston so desperately needs him to be.

For all the critics of the NBA who suggest the players are too friendly off the court: You should make a point to watch Miami vs. Boston. The physicality in these games has been #Linsanity, but you can expect it to ratchet up tonight. Just ask Paul Pierce, who has dealt with foul trouble nearly every game. The Truth has picked up a bad habit of watching the dying embers of the fourth quarter from the pine this spring and I can’t necessary blame him, seeing as he is guarding the best athlete in the universe.

KG isn’t afraid of physicality. In fact, watching him battle in the paint for position against LBJ these past games is a constant reminder of how much of a warrior this guy truly is. “I’m a problem, I’m a problem!” the Big Ticket bellowed after a particularly impressive jumper in this series. And that he is, especially when doubling James and Wade. As always, his defense is critical for success in Beantown.

So, while we cannot predict what will happen tonight, as the possibilities are endless, we can do one thing: petition David Stern to make this a 14-game series.

This is basketball at its finest. This is why we watch.

One Game We Won’t Watch Tonight: Cleveland Indians vs. Detroit Tigers

I can only name one baseballer in this game and I’m not even convinced he’s on the Tigers. Justin Verlander, he’s real, right?