Game 1: Heat at Celtics
Tonight’s miscellany …
Tip-off: 7:30 p.m.
Records: Celtics (0-0), Heat (0-0)
Broadcast info: TNT, WEEI (850 AM)
Projected starters:
Celtics:
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Shaquille O’Neal
Heat:
PG: Mario Chalmers
SG: Dwyane Wade
SF: LeBron James
PF: Chris Bosh
C: Joel Anthony
Goodies: Kia Motors will be giving out 20,000 T-shirts to fans in attendance. The National Anthem will be performed by Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops. Music by New Kids on the Block member and rabid Celtics fan Donnie Wahlberg will be featured during player introductions and a halftime show featuring the Bucket Boys.
Storylines:
The obvious:
LeBron vs. Shaq. Shaq vs. Flash. LeBron vs. Pierce. Jermaine O’Neal vs. the Heat. Kevin Garnett vs. everyone.
The Heat Index:
Will the coverage — 250-plus media members are credentialed for this game — match the product? Tonight is the ultimate novelty game. It’s pretty darn cool, but it doesn’t actually mean anything. Did I mention it was cool?
Minute men:
And so begins Doc Rivers’s 82-game juggling act. The goal: to preserve an aging roster for another deep playoff run. Shaq starts tonight, but how much will he play? Will the Celtics go with a true second unit (i.e. no starters)? Even without Delonte West?
The Trinity: How will LeBron James mesh with Dwyane Wade? Whose production suffers? Blah, blah, blah. I’m sure someone, somewhere, will write or talk about this at some point this season.
Swing men: Delonte West will ultimately be the guy, but these first 10 games while West is suspended are the perfect proving grounds for Marquis Daniels, Von Wafer, and — health permitting — Avery Bradley. One or more of these players could add needed depth to the Celtics’ backcourt.
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