In Favor of The Celtics/Against The Celtics.....

[kheeko]

by Thomas Halzack, Comcast Sportsnet New England

In favor of the Celtics

   1. Without Jameer Nelson playing (career year), are the Magic really much better than last year?
   2. The Celtics can win in Orlando.
   3. Ray Allen has no where to go but up. Ray Allen won’t shoot so poorly twice in row against this team.
   4. Rondo and Pierce get a day of rest at home.
   5. Brian Scalabrine played Rashard Lewis fairly well. He has been hitting his shots, too. 7 of 13 from the three point line in the playoffs. The red headed defense buster when you need him.
   6. Glen Davis is getting more clutch as the playoffs continue.
   7. Kendrick Perkins has been an anchor on defense and stepped up his all around game. Did I mention that he blocked Howard three times?
   8. Paul Pierce at 75% is better than all but one player on the Magic.
   9. Rajon Rondo at 60% is better than Rafer Alston.
  10. The Celtics can gain motivation to win from everyone’s expectations that they will lose this series. The thinking is that they did what they had to do, to keep respect, by beating the Bulls. Anything more would be downright surprising. I like the fact that they are aiming high. As shown in game one, Orlando just might fold under the proper pressure.

Against the Cs

   1. No matter what they say, the Bulls series took a lot out of them. They looked like a tired team.
   2. Their bench hasn’t inspired confidence.
   3. There is pressure on Perkins, a fouler, to contain Howard, but not to get in foul trouble.
   4. Rondo might only be 59%.
   5. Paul Pierce might only be 74%
   6. The Magic play solid defense whether people want to believe it or not.
   7. The Magic have Dwight Howard.
   8. The Magic are more rested.
   9. The Magic have taken home court advantage away.
  10. A loss tonight pretty much decides things. The pressure is on the Celtics.

The Celtic players must not try to win it individually. They must be disciplined enough to run their plays. If so, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Eddie House will get better looks. The team needs big games out of Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. They get the big paychecks. The playoffs is when they show why.

The bench’s wake up call last game must continue. If it does, there is no reason why they can’t win this game, then go into Orlando and steal one.

Pride, confidence, endurance and coolness under pressure. Those are traits that the Celtics excel in. Execution? Not so much. Will the other traits be enough?

[PosImpos]

Interesting, looks like a pretty fair summation of things.  Tonight is a must win, there's no doubt, and it's definitely going to depend on whether our team shows up from the very beginning or not. 

It'll also depend on which Orlando team shows up.  The team that sucks when it's playing ahead, or the team that actually looks like a contender (rarely seen).

[kheeko]

Interesting, looks like a pretty fair summation of things.  Tonight is a must win, there's no doubt, and it's definitely going to depend on whether our team shows up from the very beginning or not. 

It'll also depend on which Orlando team shows up.  The team that sucks when it's playing ahead, or the team that actually looks like a contender (rarely seen).

true our last game was not playoff basketball at all