CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: Miami Forces Gm7, C's Fail To Closeout

WHAT!!!!

With the blowout loss last night Miami forces a game 7 in Miami. Leaving the C's to think about what they are gonna need to do in order to stop James and Co from advancing to the Finals and the waiting Thunder.

Bostons inability to close out teams in the playoffs reared its ugly head again. KG was ineffective versus a Heat team looking to prove they could finish out a series against a proven powerhouse in Boston.

KG's just couldn't get going and pull out another 20+ performance to close out the series was just part of the problems. However, regardless of what the C's did or didnt do what it really came down to was...

C's Tried Everything and Everyone On James

...but just couldnt slow him down or contain him. LeBron went to a different level. Regardless if his defender had a hand in his face or a double team or got fouled, nothing was gonna stop LBJ maiking 19-26 for 45 points 15 rebounds. His only weakness was from the charity stripe.

Pierce started out on James and is usually an above average defender and has better size to manage LeBron. Still, James made basket after basket putting his team on his back.

Defending LeBron

Pietrus tried his hand on James which is no surprise as he has guarded LBJ well the entire series. Yet time after time LeBron hit J after J.

C's also pulled a baffling move in my opinion by sticking Bass on 'Bron. I am sure the thought was put more size on LeBron, but Bass is not quick enough to guard LBJ even if that were possible last night anyway.

Rondo also had his hands full with Bronny. He was pushed around, out hustled, shot over and looked exactly like one would expect a 6'1" PG vs a 6'8" big.

Lastly, Daniels landed LeBron duties the white flag soon to be waved as Boston cleared their bench. Which leads us to...

No Bench Help

One of the C's biggest issues I saw was the bench just didnt show up. Some of it was because of Docs rotations were cut down. By the time anyone on the bench saw minutes the house was burning down with LeBron setting fire to the net shot after shot.

Keyon - “We contributed in a lot of different categories, just not in the scoring category today. Their defense was so good tonight I think it was hard for us to score."

KG - "I feel like LB (LeBron James) was in a groove and he never looked back."

Doc - "We didn't play like us. Each guy wanted to win the game for us, which is a good trait, but the bad trait is there was no ball movement. The ball just stuck for most of the game."

Pierce - “Game 7 is ... what more can you ask for? One game, have an opportunity to go to the Finals, on the road," Pierce said. "This team has been about adversity all year long. So this is not going to be nothing new. It's been tough for us all year long to get to the point where we would be at, and why wouldn’t it be tough now? Winning is hard. Trying to get to the finals is hard. And this is as hard as it gets. And I think we are prepared for it...

"I think we're in a perfect opportunity. We've been the underdog all year long. Going into Game 7 the underdog. We're right where we want to be."

KG - "I want to say to all the fans, thank you, guys, I've never in my life experienced anything like this, in any sport. I'm just truly blessed to be a Celtic and be a part of the city of Boston. That's what's up to all the New Englanders around here coming from your boy. It's [expletive] crazy."

KG - "Lot of confident guys in here," Garnett said. "Lot of guys who've been through Game 7s, a lot of experienced guys so we're gonna lean on that and we're gonna fight. A bunch of fighters in this locker room. See what we do."

GOOD JOB GOOD EFFORT - Jack Meyer 9yr old Miami Heat fan

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