Question of the Day: Can the Celtics come back and beat the Heat in their series?

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Writers from around the Tribune Co. discuss the Miami Heat’s 2-0 series lead over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Check back throughout the day for more responses, vote in the poll, and feel free to weigh in with a question of your own.

Paul Doyle, Hartford Courant

What we’ve learned after two games is that Miami’s Big Three look to be in championship form and Boston’s Big Three look, well, old. And with the Heat possessing home-court advantage, it’s hard to envision the Celtics winning this series.

That’s not to say Boston won’t make it interesting. The Celtics are too good and too experienced to fade away meekly, and it’s conceivable that Boston could will itself to win all the games on its home parquet and push this series to the limit.

But the younger, more energetic Heat will win a Game 7 in Miami. Sorry, but LeBron and D-Wade are peaking. They won’t be denied in a decisive home game if it comes to that -- especially against a group of battered 30-somethings.

Yes, the Celtics could use Kendrick Perkins’ toughness at both ends of the floor. But the ill-fated trade of their starting center is just part of the reason why they’re not beating the Heat. Miami is simply younger and better than Boston.

Shandel Richardson, South Florida Sun Sentinel

The Celtics have every chance to come back and win this series because the Heat hasn’t done anything yet. Miami did what it was supposed to do: win two games on its home court. Who’s to say an experienced Boston team can’t do the same?

That’s why the Heat players are saying all the right things in the media. They know this series is a long way from over. Actually, it’s just beginning. Dwyane Wade knows this. LeBron James knows this.

It’s way too early to starting writing the obit for the Celtics. This is a team that was probably a Kevin Garnett injury away (in 2009) from playing in the NBA Finals for three consecutive years. If anyone is prepared to climb out of a 0-2 deficit, it’s the Celtics.

All Boston has to do is win its games at home. If so, I’d take Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Garnett in a Game 7 against any of the remaining postseason teams, except the Lakers.

Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune

When Kevin Garnett had his relatively easy shot in the lane thrown back in his face by LeBron James on Tuesday night, that told me all I needed to know about the state of the Celtics. And watching Ray Allen helplessly fall to his knees trying to defend a Dwyane Wade crossover only confirmed my feelings.

Boston is aging right before our eyes, and Doc Rivers’ crew won’t recover in time to earn another title. A seven-game series? Possibly. But the Celtics can’t beat the Heat.

[Updated at 1:49 p.m.:

Baxter Holmes, Los Angeles Times

In with the New Big Three, out with the Old…

In two games, Miami’s star-studded younger trio has outscored Boston’s 147-86 -- and it has looked far uglier than that.

It is foolhardy to write the Celtics off so easy. They have four days to rest their antique legs before Game 3 Saturday.

But lest we forget, LeBron James’ last playoff game on Causeway Street was the one where he allegedly quit. He’ll go for at least 40 in his return, maybe a million.

Only Superman can save Boston … but even then, Shaq, now 39, isn’t what he was and hasn’t been for a while. Kendrick Perkins could sure help. Whatever happened to him?

Well, at least Boston’s trio snagged a title in 2008 and nearly another last June. They met their quota. Now, they’re just speed bumps for the East’s new beasts.]

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