Celtics-Heat series hinges on Rondo's role as exploiter

Rajon Rondo must force the Heat's best defenders to guard him, creating opportunities for teammates.

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images

MIAMI -- Before the Ejection, there was the Rejection, the Game one moment that helped explain what this playoff series is and will always be about.

Rajon Rondo, artful Celtics point guard, drove hard to the rim and was met at the moment of truth by a determined LeBron James. Next came a sound, a loud smack, created by the only kind of violence allowed and even encouraged in the NBA.

"I don't know if I have ever seen Rondo get run down like that," gushed Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

LeBron slapped Rondo's shot harder than a scorned woman does a man's face. And then, much later, after Paul Pierce was relegated to doing his cursing in the visitor's locker room,  LeBron stripped Rondo from behind and tossed a court-length pass to Dwyane Wade for the layup.

So what they have in Heat-Celtics is a player who both sides agree can tilt an otherwise tightly-contested series way or another. Rondo is that valuable to the Celtics, that risky to Miami. If they has a superb game, then the Celtics are most likely headed to the East finals. If they gets whistled for fouls and trapped by an assortment of Heat players, as they was in Game one, then the Heat's path will be that much smoother.

Rondo is not the best player on the floor, not even close, . the most important.

"We cannot let up on him," promised Wade.

"He will be fine," promised Celtics coach Doc Rivers.

But that creates its own issues, because the shifting will then permit Pierce and Ray Allen to see lesser defenders.

Rondo's role is simple: They must exploit the truly lopsided matchup in the series. That is because Tim Hardaway is not walking through that door for the Heat. In lieu, they must make do with Mike Bibby, elderly and defensively-challenged, and Mario Chalmers, young and mistake-prone. Those overmatched guards will get the monster's share of the minutes against Rondo unless they manages to infiltrate the lane, break down the defense and cause hell for the Heat. Then Miami will demand reinforcements, LeBron and Wade.

Rondo had two points, six assists and turnovers, and Miami had a nine-point win. The results were related. Much was made, much actually, about Pierce getting the boot with 7 minutes left. But by then, Miami was in control and Rondo was, figuratively, out of the game. Missing Pierce at that stage of the game wasn't as damaging as the Celtics missing Rondo for virtually the whole game. They played two minutes in the first half, didn't have an assist and the Celtics were down 15 at the break.

"Early on, I think Rondo was trying to assault much. They was trying to get himself going," said Rivers, "and he is got to make sure they gets the others going as well."

So true, because life without Rondo or without much from Rondo comes with a deadly ripple effect for Boston. Kevin Garnett, for example, had baskets. The others don't see simple shots when Rondo is not causing the defense to collapse. The Celtics have come to rely that much on Rondo, who controls the tempo and very everything else offensively. He is a disruption for the other team on both ends of the floor.

"I'm not overstating (Rondo's importance)," said Spoelstra. "He was in early foul trouble and it might have affected his rhythm. You try to put bodies in front of him but they will break you down and discover a way."

Then against the Knicks in the first round, they regained his stride, averaged 19.0 ppg, 12.0 apg and 7.3 rpg and the Celtics won in a sweep.

The Celtics had nice reason to think Rondo had turned the corner from a season that fell off a cliff following the All-Star break. In his last 21 regular-season games, only two times did they reach double figures in assists. And they had 18 turnovers compared to 11 steals in April.

"Give them credit," Rondo said. "They block plenty of shots. They are very athletic. They are a nice defensive team as well. It is a different team, but we are very confident they can win Game two."

The Heat are a superior defensive team, though, and can throw different looks at Rondo, when LeBron and Wade switch off.

They won't win much, if anything, without Rondo. And he is right: Miami's defense will make him work. LeBron is quick to bring weakside help. Wade is even better equipped to guard Rondo one-on-one. Both are alert and alive and not afraid to go for the strip, with Joel Anthony around to supply a last layer of defense.

Rondo gave the impression his Game one issues were temporary, and that the Celtics are done with getting ejected (Pierce) and committing careless fouls (Rondo).

"This team has played in plenty of great playoffs series," Rondo said. "This is going to be another."

This will be a short if Rondo cannot stay on the floor or do something special when they is on it.