Win At Home = Hello, NBA Finals

[GreenlyGreeny]

We just took home-court advantage. All we need to do is not lose at home and we’re headed to the NBA finals for the first time in a dozen years. And how appropriate will it be for the first Larry Bird MVP to be a Celtic? Like it’s meant to be, so let’s make it so.

And let’s face it: Golden (Oldies) State is no match after the Bucks and Heat.

Banner 18, here we come!

[RPGenerate]

Getting a little ahead of ourselves, but I am starting to get hyped.

[BringToughnessBack]

We just took home-court advantage. All we need to do is not lose at home and we’re headed to the NBA finals for the first time in a dozen years. And how appropriate will it be for the first Larry Bird MVP to be a Celtic? Like it’s meant to be, so let’s make it so.

And let’s face it: Golden (Oldies) State is no match after the Bucks and Heat.

Banner 18, here we come!

One game at a time but yes, feeling the hype and excitement. Defend home court!

[Redz]

We just took home-court advantage. All we need to do is not lose at home and we’re headed to the NBA finals for the first time in a dozen years. And how appropriate will it be for the first Larry Bird MVP to be a Celtic? Like it’s meant to be, so let’s make it so.

And let’s face it: Golden (Oldies) State is no match after the Bucks and Heat.

Banner 18, here we come!

One game at a time but yes, feeling the hype and excitement. Defend home court!

Yup
Home court didn’t matter much last round.  Playing solid did.

[gouki88]

I’m less frightened of Jimmy, Bam & Herro/Strus/Vincent than I am of Giannis, Jrue, Lopez, Portis & Connaughton/Allen. We got this.

LFG

[jpotter33]

I’m less frightened of Jimmy, Bam & Herro/Strus/Vincent than I am of Giannis, Jrue, Lopez, Portis & Connaughton/Allen. We got this.

LFG

Yeah, I have to say that I just truly don't feel the same way about Miami as Milwaukee. They were just so tough and well-rounded. In a lot of ways Miami seems like Milwaukee-lite without a Jrue-level player as the second star.

[scaryjerry]

Why is everyone already writing off Dallas?
They started down 2 games to the best team in the league last series.
Agreed win our home games and we are in the finals!!

…against Luka and the mavs.

[ozgod]

Why is everyone already writing off Dallas?
They started down 2 games to the best team in the league last series.
Agreed win our home games and we are in the finals!!

…against Luka and the mavs.

It's never wise to write off anyone. God forbid anyone who wrote us off after an opening game loss 

[cman88]

Series is not over and I wouldn't overlook Miami BUT

1. We have looked like the better team now in 7 our of 8 quarters. Realistically we should be up 2-0. Celtics just can't get sloppy and blow these big leads they build in ever game (thought they would've learned from game 5 Milwaukee)

2. We finally have our starting lineup healthy. Haven't had everyone together really at all. This is the lineup that was blowing people out by 20 points in the regular season.

3. Heat are a really good team but I feel Celtics just have more top end talent.

[Surferdad]

I’m less frightened of Jimmy, Bam & Herro/Strus/Vincent than I am of Giannis, Jrue, Lopez, Portis & Connaughton/Allen. We got this.

LFG

Yeah, I have to say that I just truly don't feel the same way about Miami as Milwaukee. They were just so tough and well-rounded. In a lot of ways Miami seems like Milwaukee-lite without a Jrue-level player as the second star.

A lot of it is size.  Bucks have a lot, Heat not so much.  Even SVG was noting during Game 2 about C's having better size at every position. The switching works for the C's b/c a guy like Horford is fully capable of guarding smaller players on the perimeter.

[Phantom255x]

This is actually a great way to look at it. Just protect homecourt, and you're in the Finals. Simple.

Now I know we were in similar situations in 2018 and 2020, but make no mistake this year's team is way better talent wise and way more resilient. And tbh, 2018 still had prime Lebron and our own team made a Cinderella run which was commendable, and 2020 hurt but I could sort of understand with the Bubble situation, COVID, and also our frontcourt of Theis/Kanter along with Kemba's defense was rough lol and got exploited big time.

Barring, god forbid, any big injuries or a long term COVID-thing there's really no excuse for this team not to make the Finals. It's all in front of them. Even on the road at Miami, the team played well for 7 of the 8 quarters and only lost one due to that one almost historically bad 3rd quarter.

[celticinorlando]

Can’t give game 3 away. Need to get up 2-1 and make game 4 the season for Miami

[Phantom255x]

This is literally the scenario now. Obviously Game 3 was depressing but they made up for it by taking another road game tonight.

Take care of business Friday Night, and you're in the NBA Finals! 

[Goldstar88]

They gotta come out with urgency. I think the Heat will fold early if the C’s hit em’ in the mouth out the gate.

[Phantom255x]

They gotta come out with urgency. I think the Heat will fold if the C’s hit em’ in the mouth early.

I feel the same way. I'm a bit cautious to say we'll blow them out after how I felt going into Game 3 and then seeing how Game 3 actually went (lol ugh) but Miami's dealing with injuries and I think it's also getting to their older players (Tucker, Lowry, Butler). Limit the turnovers and we got this Friday night.

Hopefully no Tony Brothers either.