This team can beat anyone in the NBA in a 7 game series...

[houseonfire09]

if they play defense the way they played in the 4th quarter last night.  That was honestly the best quarter of basketball this team has played all season.  For a minute, I thought I was watching the '08 team out there.  I don't know if they can play like that all the time anymore, but if they can, this team will win the NBA title.  Nobody else stands a chance to win a 7 game series against this team if that happens. 

I don't know about the rest of this blog, but I believe in this team again.

[PosImpos]

if they play defense the way they played in the 4th quarter last night.  That was honestly the best quarter of basketball this team has played all season.  For a minute, I thought I was watching the '08 team out there.  I don't know if they can play like that all the time anymore, but if they can, this team will win the NBA title.  Nobody else stands a chance to win a 7 game series against this team if that happens.  

I don't know about the rest of this blog, but I believe in this team again.

I actually agree; but it's like you said...can they play that kind of defense for more than a quarter, and can they do it from the start instead of after they've gotten down 14 points?

I tell you, that 4th quarter defense was something special.  At the same time, though, it worked against a team with only 1 legitimate scoring option.  It wouldn't be so stifling against a team with 3 or 4 legit options (e.g. the Cavs).  If the Celtics get down double digits to the Cavs (if they have the chance to play them), it will be extremely difficult for them to come back.

[Jon]

Well, on a talent level I agree.  However, that talent didn't help them much during the last half of the regular season.

Moreover, while the 4th quarter was impressive, one has to ask, where was that intensity in the first half?  Had we been playing a better team, that 4th quarter push likely wouldn't have been enough to pull out the game.  

Still, I'll take the game.  Rondo was clearly not himself (something that will change) and we can't expect Ray to be as cold as he was last night on many other nights.  

[Donoghus]

Potentially?  Absolutely, I think this team can beat anyone in a 7 game series.

Realistically?  I have serious doubt that they will be able to.  They've just been too lackluster this season to make me feel too confident. 

[TitleMaster]

I think this team can't play 7 games series. In the end, other teams have more youth/stamina for a full run. I'm taking about teams besides Miami. In reality, we're unstoppable for 6 game runs.

If our opponent can't force a game 7, meaning that that after we split a series, that that final game 6  is a true lock down grind, then we're unstoppable. That'll also restore our legs, for a quick breather, between series.

[shuttles20]

Yeah no chance we can win every seven game series. We can start out great but then mistakes and age will kill us...like it has this whole season.

[Andy Jick]

we were lucky and fortunate to win that game last night.  was getting mauled at one point, but then decided to play defense.

the only way this team can beat anyone in 7 games is to play each game like they played the 2nd half of game 1.  otherwise, it will be a pretty quick exit.

i'm still not convinced they can get past the heat in round one...