Just a few thoughts on this Friday before a very big game 6. The Celtics need to win this one. Yes, they lost two games in Atlanta where they in no way resembled the Celtics team we saw all season. They played no defense in those two games and looked old and slow. Then, they came back to Boston for game 5 and all was right again. They found their defense and once again looked like the Celtics we all know and love. Hopefully the good Celtics will show up and they will get the win tonight. The Pistons righted themselves and got a blowout in game 6 and the Celtics should do no less.
The Herald has the possible scenarios as to how this weekend will play out as far as the schedule for the games. It is a bit confusing because of all of the possible outcomes of games tonight.
If Game 7 is necessary in this series and in the Cleveland-Washington and Utah-Houston sets, the Celts will play the Hawks at 3:30.
If the Cavaliers and Wizards go to Game 7 and Utah closes out Houston, the Celtics would host the Hawks at 1 p.m.
If Cleveland and the Celtics both win tonight, they will meet at the Garden at 1.
And, of course, if the Celts close out the Hawks and the Wizards force the Cavs to a seventh game, the C’s will be off Sunday. So, if the Celtics win and Cavs lose, Celtics have Sunday off. That is the best case scenario so that the Celtics can get a bit of rest and practice in. But, if the Celtics and Cavs both win, Round 2 starts Sunday at 1. I won't consider any scenario that has the Celtics losing tonight. Bad mojo...
Doc Rivers called for Pierce to be more aggressive in game 5 and it certainly worked out well for the Celtics. Hopefully, Pierce will once again be aggressive in game 6. We are a better team when he drives to the hoop because he will either draw a double team and find the open man, or he will score, or he will draw the foul and we certainly need more of those. Hopefully the refs will call this one even or it could be another 5 on 8 game which are never fun.
The key to this game and winning the championship is going to be defense. In the playoffs, defense becomes much more important than in the regular season. If you look at the past several championships, they were all won by a team that played exceptional defense. This year's Celtics were the best defensive team all season and if they continue to play defense like that, they have a shot at beating any team they face.
Rip Hamilton has worn that face mask faithfully for years and years. Last night Antonio McDyess was wearing one also after having his nose broken earlier in the series but he finally ditched it after taking it off a few times. Perk came out in the last game with a face mask on after taking a hard hit to the nose in game 3. I think his lasted all of a minute or two before he ditched it. I can see why it would be uncomfortable to wear. But, it did make Perk look even fiercer. Maybe he should wear a hockey mask in game 6 just for effect.
Gilbert Arenas is out for the rest of the series. I honestly think this makes the Wizards a better team. I still have mixed emotions over whether we want the Cavs or the Wizards. The Cavs have LeBron but the Wizards have beaten us 3 out of 4 times this season and just seem to have our number. They are another one of those athletic teams that just seem to give us fits. I think I would rather face the Cavs if I could choose. Either way, I hope this series goes to game 7 so the Celtics can get some rest and they will be tired.
Early on, Rajon Rondo said that the playoffs don't really start until a team wins on the road. Well, let's hope the playoffs begin tonight. Go Celtics!!!
On a side note, one of my favorite bloggers has disappeared. All season, Lex Nihil Novi has been one of my favorite blogs but Lex has not posted for awhile. Hope all is ok. Lex, if you are out there, give me a holler.
[Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!]
|
