The Celtics cannot come into tonight's game thinking that if they don't win this one, they have a game 7 at home to fall back on. This Pistons team is too dangerous to let them hang around. They have proved that they can win in Boston and they play their best basketball when they are desperate. The Celtics must see this as a must win and come out and play like it. I am a bit skeptical about Rip Hamilton's injury. I don't think it is as bad as they are trying to make it, but if he is injured, this is the Celtics best chance to close out this series.
I wouldn't put it past the Pistons to be making the injury up. Maybe he hit his funny bone in the game and they figured if they could lull the Celtics into thinking that Rip won't be 100% they could have an advantage. I just am skeptical and don't want to depend on him being at less than 100% because I can see him coming out and taking over the game early because the Celtics expect him to play hurt. The Pistons are a wiley bunch and I don't put anything past them.
The Celtics must come out strong in this game. Enough of the lackadaisical approach to games where they are not in a must win. There are articles all over the place saying how the Celtics don't have a killer instinct and how they are lacking something. They have had to prove themselves all season. First it was that they couldn't develop chemistry quick enough because of all the new players including 3 superstars. They did that. Then it was that they couldn't beat the top teams. They did that. Then it was that they couldn't win on the road. They did that. Then they said they couldn't win out West. They did that. Then the playoffs came along and the Celtics couldn't win on the road. They did that in game 3. Now, they are saying they don't have a killer instinct and can't close out the series on the road. Time to prove the critics wrong again Celtics and close this one out in 6.
Perk was fantastic in game 5. I just love this guy. Anyone who knows me knows that I have been a huge Perk fan since day one. I have said all along that Perk was going to break out and that he would be one of the top centers in the league one day and I have taken a lot of flack on the boards for it. Let's not forget that this kid is still just 23 years old and he is still going to get a lot better. Here is what KG had to say about Perk earlier in the season.
“Perk’s going to be a real big part of this team’s winning and this team’s progress. He’s very vocal. He has a very, very high IQ on how to play. He works really, really hard, and those things are refreshing. Not only that, but the way he communicates, the way he approaches the game, his work ethic . . . I like Perk a lot. You know we had some battles when we used to play against each other, and now that we’re on the same team, I love him. I love the fact that he’s beside me playing the way he plays. It makes it not only easier on me but easier on the other guys, also.” The Celtics have been very effective when they go inside to Perk or to KG when Perk is creating space for him inside. Doc needs to stay with the game plan to keep Perk on the court in game 6. He gives us something that the Pistons don't have. A tough inside presence and that gives the Celtics an advantage and they need every advantage they can get.
After Rasheed's tirade against the refs could also play in the Celtics' favor. Hopefully every official heard that and will be determined that Sheed doesn't get another call the rest of the way. At least maybe they will give the Celtics a fair shake in this game and that would be much better than the one sided officiating we have seen in many of these games. It was pretty ironic that Rasheed was talking about floppers when one of the biggest floppers in the league is Rip Hamilton. Poor Rip will be a lot lighter in the wallet next season if the league goes through with fining players for flops. With Sheed's comments fresh in the officials' minds and Rip possibly being less than 100%, this may be the Celtics best shot at closing this series out. They need to take advantage of it and come out aggressively from the start.
The Lakers have already clinched a finals berth. The Celtics need to get this done now as the Lakers are going to be sitting home resting up and the Celtics desperately need some rest themselves. I don't want another game 7. Hopefully the Celtics don't want another game 7. Yes, it would be nice to clinch in front of your own fans, but I am sure the fans will be quite happy to see their team clinch in Detroit. Not a problem. Get it done!!!
Speaking of the Lakers, I dispise that team. I can't stand Kobe Bryant. Everyone has forgotten the rape accusation and suddenly he is the darling of the league. I get sick to my stomach every time I hear him talk about how his teammates are like brothers. These are the same brothers he was throwing under the bus this summer when he was demanding a trade to get away from them since they were such losers. Contrast this with Paul Pierce who has been a team player even in the team's lowest spots. I just can't stand the guy and now, no matter what, the mission is to keep Kobe from winning the title.
Back to game 6 after the brief anti-Kobe tirade. The Pistons have never won the Eastern Conference Finals after being down 2-3. The Celtics are a perfect 29-0 in series that they have led 3-2. History is on the Celtics side. But then again, in this year's playoffs, the Pistons are 5-0 in games after a loss. We know they are going to come out fired up and are going to put pressure on the Celtics to try to disrupt them. It will come down to focus, intensity and defense. In every loss in these playoffs, the one constant is that the Celtics played half hearted. In the losses, they didn't bring their defense and they didn't bring their intensity. The Celtics have beaten themselves in every loss. If they play their game, play tough defense, move the ball, and be aggressive in going to the basket, they will win this game. It is up to them.
[Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!]
|
