My real concern for game 5 : fatigue

[Drucci]

Game 4 was a tough loss, maybe the tougher of the series for the C's, but what is really worrying me is that Game 5, though in Boston, is just within two days from now.

Today, Pierce played 52 minutes, Ray 47, Big Baby 45 and Rondo... 55!

Though you can argue that BBD and Rondo are young and will recover better, I'm really worried about our starting five physical state for the next game and it might catch up with them if the game is close down the stretch.

[Atzar]

Pierce is the one it could bother.  I hate to say it, but Paul has really looked old in this series.

I don't worry too much about Ray or Baby, and I certainly don't worry about Rondo unless his ankles flare up.

[celticinorlando]

boston has to get more from the bench....i am very nervous about game 5....

[Donoghus]

Fatigue is definitely my biggest concern right now.  Flying back from Chicago and playing on Tuesday night after a killer double overtime game on a Sunday isn't exactly a recipe for success...especially for the older guys. 

[cdif911]

I know its a duh statement, but the combination of KG and Powe out makes it so tough moving forward at the big spot with fatigue and fouls.  I thought Scal actually played ok for a guy who hasn't seen action in 2 months, but the in game toll had to have an effect on Baby, guys of his talent don't miss bunnies like he did otherwise - Perk fouling out leaves you having to go really small or play Moore which is instant foul city - the lack of size is probably my biggest concern right now, not fatigue per se

[celticinorlando]

game five could be the push needed to win the series or it could be the beginning of the end of the season....i hope they play well

[CoachBo]

TP for an excellent topic. Overtime games are my greatest fear with a beat up team, featuring very little depth.

Probably force you to take tomorrow off entirely and spend it in the film room, talking about the game.

Not sure I'd agree that Pierce looks old. Tired, definitely? Lots of energy being expended, and today the officials simply refused to acknowledge the beating he took going to the rim. Old, not ready to agree quite yet.

[Donoghus]

game five could be the push needed to win the series or it could be the beginning of the end of the season....i hope they play well

Despite the loss, this team showed me a lot playing shorthanded for much of the latter part of the game.  They even gave themselves legitimate opportunities to win down the stretch.  Playing in front of the home crowd on Tuesday night should help carry this team.  I'd be shocked if we lay an egg at home.  

[celticinorlando]

game five could be the push needed to win the series or it could be the beginning of the end of the season....i hope they play well

Despite the loss, this team showed me a lot playing shorthanded for much of the latter part of the game.  They even gave themselves legitimate opportunities to win down the stretch.  Playing in front of the home crowd on Tuesday night should help carry this team.  I'd be shocked if we lay an egg at home.  

i just hope you are right....but 3 of the 4 games so far they have laid an egg really....i thought they would blow the bulls out in one of the 2 games at home but alas needed a last second heave to just get even...they gotta show me in game 5

[CoachBo]

game five could be the push needed to win the series or it could be the beginning of the end of the season....i hope they play well

Despite the loss, this team showed me a lot playing shorthanded for much of the latter part of the game.  They even gave themselves legitimate opportunities to win down the stretch.  Playing in front of the home crowd on Tuesday night should help carry this team.  I'd be shocked if we lay an egg at home.  

I agree. I have no issue with the effort from the key performers, although I note with a shake of the head that some on here apparently do. They laid it on the line. Problem is, we have very little depth.

[RebusRankin]

They'll need a boost from the home crowd on Tuesday. If there are any fans 6ft8 and above in attendance they could use you to rest our bigs a few minutes.

[celticinorlando]

They'll need a boost from the home crowd on Tuesday. If there are any fans 6ft8 and above in attendance they could use you to rest our bigs a few minutes.

i am concerned how poorly they played at home so far in this series....

[cordobes]

Well, Chicago has been playing a 7/8 men rotation during this series as well. And we aren't really that much older than Chicago and I'm not sure if age matters that much - the only serious article I read about this stated precisely the opposite, that younger players get tired faster after a NBA season than guys in their late 20s/early 30s: experience teaches you a lot.

I'm more worried for future series, especially if we have to face deeper teams than ours - Chicago, very fortunately, isn't one of them.

[perks-a-beast]

They'll need a boost from the home crowd on Tuesday. If there are any fans 6ft8 and above in attendance they could use you to rest our bigs a few minutes.

What they need to do is "accidently" leave Mikki Moore in Chicago and have Clifford Ray suit up. That's the only logical option that I can think of.