Do you still believe?

[cman88]

I believe that they didn’t completely quit, which was nice to see.  They need to be even better in Game 5, because Miami is going to bring it, but I appreciated the effort tonight.

Perk and Eddie House both think Miami is going to go back to the zone big time and wall off the paint completely. They don't think we will shoot that well from 3 again. I think they have to be prepared to take the midrange shots that Miami are giving them.

Most important thing is to not turn the ball over.

One game at a time. Win game 5 at home and it becomes interesting.

Thing is looking at the box score we just shot around our season averages. While Miami went back to earth instead of shooting 50% on 3. We've missed A LOT of open 3's this series.

There's a lot of reasons we went down 3-0. But on the crux of it, their roleplayers were shooting at some ridiculous clip from 3. I think vincent/strus/martin were shooting over 50%

Meanwhile brown/Horfords were shooting something like 15%

[Roy H.]

If we'd played up to our potential, this series would be 3-1 in our favor.

So, there's no reason why we shouldn't win Game 5 or Game 6 or Game 7.  It's all about DEFENSE, focus, poise and effort. 

I don't have a ton of faith in this team based upon past experience, but if they win in Game 5, then they're only down 3-2.  They've been down 3-2 before.

[celticinorlando]

I will believe if they win game 5, which have been just awful experiences at home recently.

Get it to game 6 and that really Miami's game 7.

This is a sad spot because when Boston plays, they are the best team in the NBA. A wasted opportunity against a very average Heat team.

[scaryjerry]

I’m as happy as anyone they played with pride last night but I already think people are getting carried away, even Barkley saying after the game we will “easily” win game 5. Really?

Wouldn’t shock me if they completely crap the bed in game 5

[celticinorlando]

I just have to think Boston has one good game at home in this series. Going 0-3 at home would be just sad.

I do not think Miami does anything special on either ends. It would be nice if Martin and Vincent play like they did most of this season. Just role players.

[SHAQATTACK]

Yeah , this Heat team is not a team of stars , they just have a Jones for Bucks, Philly , and Celtics. They love being the giant killers or spoilers. Spo has fun coaching a underdog non star team.  Like Brad did.  The Stars put crazy pressure on coaches to win , the money and expectations. Pressure is off Spo, you can see how relaxed he is .
Tatum has to step up into a leader role. , doesn’t matter if it’s not his style , grow up, he has choosen  a career as a NBA star player …NOW …not next year …for the franchise. That’s a BIG pants job. He is making the big money too.   It’s more than just scoring points and being a nice .  He is #1 on the bench , he needs  to come prepared to play as THE leader every game wether he likes it or not . He can led by , playing aggressiveness on defense and show some GRIT even if his shot is off.  Holding your head down and sulking is not a mature act in front of million viewers and a bad look.  He needs to be active , not sleeping on the job , help his coach …act like he gives a [dang] .  Like he did last night.  The rest of the guys will follow his lead.  He can be laid back after the game , go home be daddy and sweet.  He needs to watch KG , how he fired up before the game. 

I don’t think Jalen will be mad if he plays and acts like an adult and leads the team . I think Jalen seems to think now it’s Tatums team , but he needs to grab hold like man and not shrink when the team needs his leadership and mental , a boost and direction .  He needs to man up , ThIS my team and will be until I can’t do the job …..He needs to told this by a strong figure to wake him up , this n’t being a 18 year old at Duke .  He is in another totally different role , in paiid cut throat pro sports .  Jason , man up on the job .

[scaryjerry]

7 wins away from banner 18 

[jbpats]

Sadly I do not. I am proud that they didn't mail it in last night, which I totally expected them to do..

Maybe they win gave 5, but even so I think it ends in 6.

Hypothetically speaking, they pull a rabbit out of their hat and somehow win this series. Do people realistically think they'll have a chance against a Denver team who has played half as many games and would be on two weeks rest?

[Vermont Green]

In a word, yes, I still believe there is a chance, still slim, but less slim than yesterday.

We played a good game and beat the Heat, which in of itself, is not terribly surprising.  On paper and based on the performance of the teams over the season, we should win any given game vs. the Heat.  But we still did not play nearly our best game, which I am not sure is a good thing or a bad thing.  Is it a good thing that we played well but not really our best and still won?  That we probably can play even better if we just go out and do it?  Or should we be concerned that this team is still not playing their best at the point in a season when they should be playing their best?

I don't know the answer but I am going to believe that we busted out of whatever funk we were in and that we are going to play even better in Game 5, and win.  No reason to think about anything beyond that.

[Phantom255x]

I believe they can push this to 6. Still think Miami will win the series in 6, but hey, crazier things have happened. One game at a time. Put the pressure firmly back on Miami after Game 5 and see what happens Saturday night. If they win Game 5, then Game 6 IMO could really be the game that ultimately determines the series. That's my thought.

Yes, Miami has beaten us at TD Garden twice and they have Spo + Butler, but still I think they also realize they need to win this in less than 7

[Roy H.]

I believe they can push this to 6. Still think Miami will win the series in 6, but hey, crazier things have happened. One game at a time. Put the pressure firmly back on Miami after Game 5 and see what happens Saturday night. If they win Game 5, then Game 6 IMO could really be the game that ultimately determines the series. That's my thought.

Yes, Miami has beaten us at TD Garden twice and they have Spo + Butler, but still I think they also realize they need to win this in less than 7

If they win Game 5, I think they'll win Game 6.  It's the home game after a big win that I'm worried about.

[celticinorlando]

I am more concerned about a game 5 at home than I would be a game 6 on the road because of their track record in both.

[cman88]

I believe they can push this to 6. Still think Miami will win the series in 6, but hey, crazier things have happened. One game at a time. Put the pressure firmly back on Miami after Game 5 and see what happens Saturday night. If they win Game 5, then Game 6 IMO could really be the game that ultimately determines the series. That's my thought.

Yes, Miami has beaten us at TD Garden twice and they have Spo + Butler, but still I think they also realize they need to win this in less than 7

If they win Game 5, I think they'll win Game 6.  It's the home game after a big win that I'm worried about.

same here, but at the same time I can't see this team losing 3 in a row at home in Boston. that place will be rocking

If you can win tomorrow night then you are 3-2 on the road. a position you know how to play in.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

Sadly I do not. I am proud that they didn't mail it in last night, which I totally expected them to do..

Maybe they win gave 5, but even so I think it ends in 6.

Hypothetically speaking, they pull a rabbit out of their hat and somehow win this series. Do people realistically think they'll have a chance against a Denver team who has played half as many games and would be on two weeks rest?

people are thinking too emotionally. I am  a gambler and have to teach myself to remove all emotion when looking at metrics and stats. it is why i have been highly successful with my MLB and NHL systems the last 5 years. Instead of grasping for straws let's ask ourselves a few questions:

1) has an NBA team ever come back from a 3-0 hole?    NO........it has only been done 4 time in NHL and i do not have the count in MLB off hand but i'll bet it is not many

2) when is the last time you saw this celtics team play smart ball for 4 quarters straight? a win does not mean they played smart all game.  when has joe airhead blow mazzula instilled confidence in you that we are safe coaching wise? and that he won't screw up again?

3) when have we seen that for 4 straight games? sweeping the nets last year does not mean the above was fulfilled.

4) to beat a great coached and mentally tough heat team that is what it will take.  The heat are not going to make these mistakes again and beat themselves like last game with 16 turnovers. listen to what shaq said.

5) i completely see us crapping the bed and this ending in 5. boston is favored by 8. crazy pills. boston sucks at home. I am definitely taking the HEAT +8 next game. Boston winning a blowout at home in a game 5? doubtful. we have already choked away double digit leads the first 2 games.

i'd definitely be happy if heat covered spread yet we won.  I have my doubts we can even win. The history of this crew says as much in a game 5 at home.

 

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I believe that they didn’t completely quit, which was nice to see.  They need to be even better in Game 5, because Miami is going to bring it, but I appreciated the effort tonight.

Perk and Eddie House both think Miami is going to go back to the zone big time and wall off the paint completely. They don't think we will shoot that well from 3 again. I think they have to be prepared to take the midrange shots that Miami are giving them.

Most important thing is to not turn the ball over.

One game at a time. Win game 5 at home and it becomes interesting.

Thing is looking at the box score we just shot around our season averages. While Miami went back to earth instead of shooting 50% on 3. We've missed A LOT of open 3's this series.

There's a lot of reasons we went down 3-0. But on the crux of it, their roleplayers were shooting at some ridiculous clip from 3. I think vincent/strus/martin were shooting over 50%

Meanwhile brown/Horfords were shooting something like 15%

if all we keep doing is shooting threes and not try to get in paint(especially when not in zone) we will seal our fate. this team is too one dimensional. live by the sword die by the sword. always take easy points in the paint when they are there and play D. we will shoot ourselves out a game again.