Why I expect a big Celtics win tonight

[nickagneta]

And I do.

No it's not homerism. I think the Bulls are going to do what they did in game 3 which is feel way overconfident in their home court advantage and think that being home is going to carry them emotionally through the game. But with Ben Gordon hurting and Rose being hit or miss in this series, if the Celtics come out firing on all cylinders and take the crowd out early, things could get tough for this young team very quickly.

Also, I think the Celtics are a more hardened team and know what needs to be done and that is to race out fast and never take the pedal off the metal. Look for lots of physicality, lots of early drives and lots of kick outs to a wide open Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, or Big Baby. Chicago is going to want to answer that Rondo whack on Miller and what will happen is a lot of collapsing on the drives. Once that happens and Rondo sees it, the kicks outside are going to open up the outside game.

Also, believe it or not, I really feel that we are going to see something off the bench tonight. I don't know who. But a combo of Marbury and House would be the most likely happening with Marbury continuing the early drive and dish philosophy to Eddie for a big game. There's just no way that this bench, as bad as it is, can be this inept for this many games. Something has got to give and I think instead of a huge minus the bench will be a plus tonight.

Anyway Celtics by at least 15 is what I see.

[celticmaestro]

I think we'll win, but I don't know if it'll be a big win. I hope so, but I don't know.

[Hoops]

I think the refs are going to call this one very tight, especially at the beginning. If Pierce can stay aggressive and attack the basket, he'll easily shoot 10+ FTs tonight. I think the Celtics' experience will allow them to adapt to the tight officiating better than the Bulls. The Bulls are much more likely to get flustered. Add that to fact that they'll have tons of pressure facing elimination.

[indeedproceed]

I also think we win, but i don't expect more than 5 or 6 points diff.

The days of us following up a tough overtime win/loss with a blowout win late in the series (ala Atlanta) are gone IMO.

[wdleehi]

This will be the game that both Pierce and Ray play like the stars they are and lead the Celtics to the win. 

[pengaloo]

I hope for a big win, but I don't think the Bulls will be overconfident. They'll be angry because of what happened in the last game and play with urgency, so it'll probably be a close one. I'm expecting a really rowdy crowd and lots of Rondo chants (thankfully he's so mentally tough and lives to prove people wrong).

[CelticsWhat35]

I just hope they all play with poise tonight, because the Bulls are gonna get physical and take cheap shots, especially Miller.  We just have to be ready to play through it.  Someone takes a cheap shot, get up, smile and hit your free throws (that is, if the refs call it.)

[PierceMVP08]

I'm expecting a really rowdy crowd and lots of Rondo chants (thankfully he's so mentally tough and lives to prove people wrong).

I don't foresee any of these things.  I was young when the bulls were on there roll in the 90's but I vividly remember thinking that there crowds were kind of weak.  I've seen footage of the old Chicago stadium and the crowd was crazy, but in the United Center they aren't all that great.  The Bulls, contrary to what people say about them not having any playoff experience, have been in the playoffs a few times over the past few years and their crowds have never been a factor.  They haven't been good this series except for when Gordon hit the tyin three in OT.  I dont't really expect much from them, especially if the Celts come out fast.

[angryguy77]

I think the refs are going to call this one very tight, especially at the beginning. If Pierce can stay aggressive and attack the basket, he'll easily shoot 10+ FTs tonight. I think the Celtics' experience will allow them to adapt to the tight officiating better than the Bulls. The Bulls are much more likely to get flustered. Add that to fact that they'll have tons of pressure facing elimination.

I see a very poor officiated game tonight in favor of the bulls. i hate to be that guy, but we all know how the league loves game sevens. But we can win tonight if we play with enough intensity on d.

[Reggie's Ghost]

I agree they'll take this one tonight and close it out, but for a different reason. 

Bill Simmons writes...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090423&sportCat=nba

The dirty little secret of this series: Paul Pierce is wiped out. The dude played 108 games last season, then another 82 this season -- all while waving a "come and get us, we're the champs" bull's-eye for every comer -- and spent the past two months carrying a KG-less team on both ends. Now he's wiped out and there is no real way for him to rest: This series is going seven, so is the next one and, if they make it that far, Cleveland will be waiting ... and Pierce is the only guy on the Celtics who can remotely consider handling LeBron. By that point, after playing 200-plus games in 20 months, he will potentially have to slow down the Bo Jackson of basketball seven times over 14 days. And that's if Pierce doesn't break down before then. There was an uh-oh play in the fourth quarter of Game 2 when he tried his hesitation step-back jumper on Rose, couldn't get any lift and got the shot swatted in his face. In 10 years of following him, I can't remember that happening once.

I think Paul is exhausted, and the team needs some rest BADLY.  I think they put everything they have into this game, knowing it's the only way to rest Paul during the playoffs.  With Howard suspended for the Philly game, that series has all the hallmarks of a 7 game series, and hopefully we wont play another game until the middle of next week. 

Ice, rest, massage...ice, rest, massage

[BillfromBoston]

And I do.

No it's not homerism. I think the Bulls are going to do what they did in game 3 which is feel way overconfident in their home court advantage and think that being home is going to carry them emotionally through the game. But with Ben Gordon hurting and Rose being hit or miss in this series, if the Celtics come out firing on all cylinders and take the crowd out early, things could get tough for this young team very quickly.

Also, I think the Celtics are a more hardened team and know what needs to be done and that is to race out fast and never take the pedal off the metal. Look for lots of physicality, lots of early drives and lots of kick outs to a wide open Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, or Big Baby. Chicago is going to want to answer that Rondo whack on Miller and what will happen is a lot of collapsing on the drives. Once that happens and Rondo sees it, the kicks outside are going to open up the outside game.

Also, believe it or not, I really feel that we are going to see something off the bench tonight. I don't know who. But a combo of Marbury and House would be the most likely happening with Marbury continuing the early drive and dish philosophy to Eddie for a big game. There's just no way that this bench, as bad as it is, can be this inept for this many games. Something has got to give and I think instead of a huge minus the bench will be a plus tonight.

Anyway Celtics by at least 15 is what I see.

I'd love to see this happen, but I don't think its going to happen.

This is who the Celtics are right now - they can't separate from the Bulls because they don't have the personnel to play defense and Doc is exacerbating the fatigue factor by having an EXTREMELY short rope for the bench.

Boston is tired, lacks defense, and is perimeter oriented - Chicago has had their "nerves" home game in game 3 - won't happen again.

Boston can hang in the game but they can't blow them aut without help...and Chicago isn't going to help...

[Celtic]

It ain't even gonna be close, they are gonna close em out tonight.

[Celtics17]

I dont know if it will be close or not but I think we will give the Bulls everything they can handle. If they are to be competitive, the Bulls that is, they will need big games from Gordon and Rose coupled with a poor performance by one of our Big 3. I think Doc will have our team ready and if Chicago is competitive it will be due to a huge game from both Rose and Gordon. We will not play poorly as a team and I fell we close out Chicago tonight although it may be another close game. Man, I should have gone into politics. Ha ha.