Ben Gordon needs a "miracle" to play tonight?

[Roy Hobbs]

Ben Gordon's hamstring wasn't feeling good Tuesday morning and didn't participate in the Bulls' shootaround at Emerson College.

Gordon, who is treating the injury, a Grade 2 strain, with ice and electrical stimulation, said he is going to test his leg during pregame to see what he is able to do. On the possibility of playing Tuesday night.

"It's still pretty bad," said Gordon. "I don't know. I'm looking for a miracle."

Link.

[CelticsWhat35]

Well I guess Jesus will be at the garden tonight, because I seriously doubt Gordon will miss the game.  Sure, there will be plenty of camera shots of his grimacing, and whatever TNT broadcaster talking about what a "heroic" performance he's putting on after each shot, but rest assured, he's playing tonight.

[crownsy]

yea, thats what i figure celtic.

Sidenot: that american dad banner ad is SUPER annoying. It expands right after you close it to normal size. lame real GM.

[fairweatherfan]

Mentioned this in the game thread, but I've had some hammy problems in the past (playing rugby, but still), and it's not the sort of thing you can really warm up out of.  Obviously treatment and trainers are much better here, but if it bothers him at tip it'll probably bother him all game.

Maybe this is his designated excuse for getting wiped out by every screen tonight 

[Mr October]

I normally want to see my opponents at full health, or at least equal health.... Considering how damaged we are, I'll take this with a big smile if Gordon sits out.

[LarBrd33]

he'll play... and hopefully he doesn't kill us like last game.

[celticinorlando]

5 bucks says he plays...this is all a smokescreen from the bulls

[PierceMVP08]

I call bull (no pun intended) and Gordon will play today.  I don't see why he would put it out there like he has.  I would think you want your opponents not to know what to expect.  Regardless, he will play, and probably well.

[RAcker]

Bull.

[RAcker]

...and you mean to tell me that no one has Tweetered that he is playing yet?  Unthinkable.

[celticinorlando]

just a ploy to take the pressure off the bulls....he will play tonight IMO...he is too much of a me guy to have the spotlight off him even if it is for one game...

[Drucci]

Here is a more accurate article about Gordon's status :

Chicago Bulls' Ben Gordon sounds iffy for Game 5

K.C. Johnson

BOSTON -- Ben Gordon has played in all 82 games three times in his five NBA seasons, including this one, so the sobering account the tough guard gave on his strained left hamstring following Tuesday's morning shootaround at Emerson College is no idle chatter.

"Not good," Gordon said, when asked how the injury felt. "It didn't get worse, but it doesn't feel any better."

Gordon didn't participate in the shootaround and said he's been icing the injury and using electrical stimulation to try to get the hamstring to respond. He will test what he said is a Grade 2 strained hamstring before Game 5.

"It's my call, but I have to go off how it feels," Gordon said. "It doesn't feel good. Hopefully I can play. If not, we have Game 6 at home (Thursday)."

Gordon suffered the injury during the second quarter of Sunday's double-overtime victory. He played close to 33 minutes following the injury but needed a painkilling shot at halftime to do so.

"Maybe some of the pain and swelling wasn't there then," Gordon said. "The swelling got a lot worse. I'm hoping for a miracle."

Coach Vinny Del Negro said Kirk Hinrich would start for Gordon if he can't play.

I think he'll play, and as I've said it in the game 5 thread, when you read that he played 33 more minutes after his injury and hit a clutch tying shot after having taken painkilling shot at halftime, you can guess that he'll play tonight and he has chances of hurting the Celtics even if he isn't 100%.

[greg683x]

Quick someone turn the thermostat in the garden down to 50 and put the ice under the court.

[Celtic]

I'm predicting a miracle then, he's playing, this is just a lame attempt at a mind game.

[housecall]

Personally,i rather Gordon play tonight,so when we beat them,there will be no excuses.I feel we will beat them with/without him healthy,period.