Do you still believe?

[gouki88]

The thing to keep in mind is that this one loss could be the start of an invasive and fatal crack in Miami’s armor.

The simple fact is that the talent discrepancy in this series is monumental, and we should be winning virtually every game. Miami has been playing way over their head, and I think a lot of that is due to their confidence and riding that high.

If we can keep our energy high and take a convincing win in game 5, I think we see Miami revert back closer to their regular season form after getting off this high and it becomes a coin flip series.

The biggest concern we should have is Spo. He’s such a master tactician that can throw us a loop with an adjustment tgat could turn the tide of a single gamr.

Right now it’s still a long shot given our inconsistency and home play. But if we can get Game 5 and keep up our intensity, I truly think it’s a 50/50 series after that.

Yeah, if Vincent & Martin revert to their usual level of play then this series is back on. Spo is the wildcard.

Miami's eFG in Games 1 and 3 was .635 and .685. That was all Spolestra?

That was the Martin & Vincent surprise supernova. And us leaving them open

Indeed it could be - it's no secret that we've made the series harder than it should be, but at the egregious risk of oversimplification (on CelticsBlog? say it ain't so!) flipping heads four times out of seven is the same no matter if you flip 3 tails first.

It's very possible Miami wins the next game, but I would be more surprised if their roleplayers didn't fall back to earth.

I agree, I think our defence is slowly waking up to the idea that these players will punish us if we let them shoot open shots. I think that was exemplified by how hard White was fighting over and around screens to keep attached to Robinson, who scored 2 points compared to 22 in G3.

Gouki hundred percent agree with you about the shooting over screens, but have to point this out about Robinson because I was discussing him with my brother today. 12 or 15 of Robinson 22 came in the last 5 minutes of the games. His box score really made him look like a factor in the game he wasn’t. Whenever he is out there it is a gift to Boston caused by heat injuries and we target him relentlessly on D. What you are saying is true about Strauss, vincent and Martin. If we stop what they were doing the first 4 games it is huge.

For sure! He was more just the most readily available example that came to my mind of the principle change.

Time to make some history

[SHAQATTACK]

Do I believe ?..Not as much as Vegas odds makers, noon time they had Celtics as 46 % chance of taking the heat series …  LOL ….positive waves 

[JSD]

I've been discussing extensively what it takes for a team to stage a comeback and win a series after being behind 3-0.

In my view, all the necessary elements are present. We possess greater talent compared to the Heat, we hold the advantage of playing a Game 7 at home, and we have far more playoff experience.

If you doubt the Celtics' ability to overcome a 3-0 deficit and make a comeback, given these variables, then you simply don't believe it's achievable ever. However, you're mistaken because it is indeed possible. I think there’s a very good chance we’re going to see it play out.

[Silas]

Redux 2004....

[Moranis]

I've been discussing extensively what it takes for a team to stage a comeback and win a series after being behind 3-0.

In my view, all the necessary elements are present. We possess greater talent compared to the Heat, we hold the advantage of playing a Game 7 at home, and we have far more playoff experience.

If you doubt the Celtics' ability to overcome a 3-0 deficit and make a comeback, given these variables, then you simply don't believe it's achievable ever. However, you're mistaken because it is indeed possible. I think there’s a very good chance we’re going to see it play out.

Far more playoff experience?

[SparzWizard]

I've been discussing extensively what it takes for a team to stage a comeback and win a series after being behind 3-0.

In my view, all the necessary elements are present. We possess greater talent compared to the Heat, we hold the advantage of playing a Game 7 at home, and we have far more playoff experience.

If you doubt the Celtics' ability to overcome a 3-0 deficit and make a comeback, given these variables, then you simply don't believe it's achievable ever. However, you're mistaken because it is indeed possible. I think there’s a very good chance we’re going to see it play out.

Far more playoff experience?

Yeah I don't know about "far more playoff experience"...Jimmy Butler, Kevin Love and Eric Spoelstra (multiple Finals appearances) all have prolonged playoff experiences far longer than the Jays, and even guys like Bam have been on this level of stage a few times already.

I'd say it's a slightly even field on that element but I'd give that edge to Miami.

[JSD]

I've been discussing extensively what it takes for a team to stage a comeback and win a series after being behind 3-0.

In my view, all the necessary elements are present. We possess greater talent compared to the Heat, we hold the advantage of playing a Game 7 at home, and we have far more playoff experience.

If you doubt the Celtics' ability to overcome a 3-0 deficit and make a comeback, given these variables, then you simply don't believe it's achievable ever. However, you're mistaken because it is indeed possible. I think there’s a very good chance we’re going to see it play out.

Far more playoff experience?

Yes.

Heat:

Lowry - 132
Jimmy Butler - 113
Kevin Love - 96
Bam - 63
Duncan - 58
Gabe - 58
Max - 37
Caleb - 33

Total playoff games played by the Heat: 550

Celtics:

Horford - 172
Smart - 119
Brown - 109
Tatum - 91
TL - 72
Grant - 63
White - 53
Brogdon - 49

Total playoff games played by the Celtics: 728

[Moranis]

I've been discussing extensively what it takes for a team to stage a comeback and win a series after being behind 3-0.

In my view, all the necessary elements are present. We possess greater talent compared to the Heat, we hold the advantage of playing a Game 7 at home, and we have far more playoff experience.

If you doubt the Celtics' ability to overcome a 3-0 deficit and make a comeback, given these variables, then you simply don't believe it's achievable ever. However, you're mistaken because it is indeed possible. I think there’s a very good chance we’re going to see it play out.

Far more playoff experience?

Yes.

Heat:

Lowry - 132
Jimmy Butler - 113
Kevin Love - 96
Bam - 63
Duncan - 58
Gabe - 58
Max - 37
Caleb - 33

Total playoff games played by the Heat: 550

Celtics:

Horford - 172
Smart - 119
Brown - 109
Tatum - 91
TL - 72
Grant - 63
White - 53
Brogdon - 49

Total playoff games played by the Celtics: 728

How about championships?  Or games played in the Finals?

Also, none of those numbers are correct.  Brogdon has played in just 41 playoff games (including this year) as an example.

You are acting like the Heat are the Kings who never made the playoffs before this year.

[cman88]

No. For my own sanity, I'm not gonna get my hopes up unless the Cs win Game 5. Then I might believe in this team.

If they win Game 5, Game 6 will undoubtedly be the most important game they will ever play in their lives.

If the Celtics make it to game 7, the series is over for Miami.

yeah if we somehow get this to 6 this will be a call to arms for miami and basically a last stand because they do not want a game 7 at the garden . game 6 would be a war and put all on pins and needles.

Jimmy Butler already saying that Game 4's loss will build momentum for Miami, and to play like their backs are against the wall in Game 5. Very interesting mindset for being up 3-1

Charles barkely thinks they blow doors in game 5 (I sure hope hes right) and game 6 is basically for the series. I don't necessarily disagree.

If you get it to game 6, you do not want a game 7 in Boston. See Milwaukee/Philly

[gouki88]

I've been discussing extensively what it takes for a team to stage a comeback and win a series after being behind 3-0.

In my view, all the necessary elements are present. We possess greater talent compared to the Heat, we hold the advantage of playing a Game 7 at home, and we have far more playoff experience.

If you doubt the Celtics' ability to overcome a 3-0 deficit and make a comeback, given these variables, then you simply don't believe it's achievable ever. However, you're mistaken because it is indeed possible. I think there’s a very good chance we’re going to see it play out.

Far more playoff experience?

Yes.

Heat:

Lowry - 132
Jimmy Butler - 113
Kevin Love - 96
Bam - 63
Duncan - 58
Gabe - 58
Max - 37
Caleb - 33

Total playoff games played by the Heat: 550

Celtics:

Horford - 172
Smart - 119
Brown - 109
Tatum - 91
TL - 72
Grant - 63
White - 53
Brogdon - 49

Total playoff games played by the Celtics: 728

How about championships?  Or games played in the Finals?

Also, none of those numbers are correct.  Brogdon has played in just 41 playoff games (including this year) as an example.

You are acting like the Heat are the Kings who never made the playoffs before this year.

Those numbers are all slight exaggerations, weirdly, but the point still stands that we have more playoff experience. Particularly when guys like Love play 11MPG, and Lowry 25MPG.

[SHAQATTACK]

Just feels wrong to know your team sucks playing at their home court .   

[Roy H.]

I've been discussing extensively what it takes for a team to stage a comeback and win a series after being behind 3-0.

In my view, all the necessary elements are present. We possess greater talent compared to the Heat, we hold the advantage of playing a Game 7 at home, and we have far more playoff experience.

If you doubt the Celtics' ability to overcome a 3-0 deficit and make a comeback, given these variables, then you simply don't believe it's achievable ever. However, you're mistaken because it is indeed possible. I think there’s a very good chance we’re going to see it play out.

Far more playoff experience?

Yes.

Heat:

Lowry - 132
Jimmy Butler - 113
Kevin Love - 96
Bam - 63
Duncan - 58
Gabe - 58
Max - 37
Caleb - 33

Total playoff games played by the Heat: 550

Celtics:

Horford - 172
Smart - 119
Brown - 109
Tatum - 91
TL - 72
Grant - 63
White - 53
Brogdon - 49

Total playoff games played by the Celtics: 728

How about championships?  Or games played in the Finals?

Also, none of those numbers are correct.  Brogdon has played in just 41 playoff games (including this year) as an example.

You are acting like the Heat are the Kings who never made the playoffs before this year.

Those numbers are all slight exaggerations, weirdly, but the point still stands that we have more playoff experience. Particularly when guys like Love play 11MPG, and Lowry 25MPG.

Regarding the numbers, my guess is that JSD got them from BBR.  With Brogdon:  he's played in 41 career playoff games.  However, he's been on the roster for 49 playoff games that his team has played.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brogdma01/gamelog-playoffs/

[celticinorlando]

I won't believe unless they win tonight. Game 5s at home have been awful.

[angryguy77]

I won't believe unless they win tonight. Game 5s at home have been awful.

I think they have a better than 50% chance to win tonight. GM 6 is the one to really worry about.

[boscel33]

I haven't believed since ATL took them six games.  This team has stars but lacks desire, drive, motivation, etc.