We finally have the Eastern Conference Final matchup that everyone has been waiting for, as the Celtics and Heat are set to clash with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line.
It wasn't easy for either team. The Heat had to overcome an injury to Chris Bosh and some early-series struggles against the Pacers to advance, while the C's were pushed to the brink by the young, athletic 76ers. But the destination is far more important than the road, and each hopes its road leads to a championship.
There are going to be plenty of storylines through the series, which could prove to be a dogfight. Among those storylines are the head-to-head matchups, which are essentially games within the game. Each holds a great deal of importance.
Rajon Rondo is far more decorated than Mario Chalmers, but it should still be an interesting battle between the two floor generals. Chalmers will need to ensure Rondo doesn't take a game over, like he did in Game 7 versus Philadelphia, while Rondo will have to make sure the Kansas product doesn't hit one of his trademark big shots.
While those two battle in the backcourt, Kevin Garnett will be battling in the front court against the likes of Ronny Turiaf and Joel Anthony. That doesn't quite have the appeal of a Garnett-Bosh showdown, but it's still vital for the C's to control the paint.
Brandon Bass will also be looking to ensure the C's do win that paint battle, as he'll go toe to toe with Shane Battier, who is one of the game's better defenders.
Then, there's Ray Allen versus Dwyane Wade. Dealing with Wade is always a tall order, but with Allen still banged up, the task is that much more difficult. Healthy or not, though, it'll be important for Allen to play big minutes, especially with Avery Bradley sidelined.
And who could forget the headliner; Paul Pierce versus LeBron James. Each head-to-head matchup is important, but this one will likely garner the most attention, not just because of the importance, but because of the pair's history. We've seen Pierce and James go back and forth many times before, dating back to James' days in Cleveland.
So which matchup is the most important?
What is the most important head-to-head matchup of the Eastern Conference finals?
