Bold Prediction

[Evantime34]

Paul Pierce will go for 40+ in one of the next two games. Normally this would not be a bold comment, but with how tired Pierce is looking it becomes one.
Another less bold prediction is we take one game out of the next two.

[PosImpos]

Yeah I don't know.  I was talking to my dad and he mentioned that he's of the opinion that it's not just Pierce being tired, that he's not 100% healthy.  It wouldn't be that surprising, tbh.

[Reggie's Ghost]

Yeah I don't know.  I was talking to my dad and he mentioned that he's of the opinion that it's not just Pierce being tired, that he's not 100% healthy.  It wouldn't be that surprising, tbh.

What injury does he think Paul has?

[Cs09Champs]

Yeah I don't know.  I was talking to my dad and he mentioned that he's of the opinion that it's not just Pierce being tired, that he's not 100% healthy.  It wouldn't be that surprising, tbh.

Your dad is right. They've been saying for quite a while now that Pierce has a bruised left calf. He got hit during one of the Chicago games.
That might be what's been bothering him. But he's definitely tired too. Hopefully he got the rest he needed tonight and comes out strong in Game 3. He's due for a big game.

[PosImpos]

Yeah I don't know.  I was talking to my dad and he mentioned that he's of the opinion that it's not just Pierce being tired, that he's not 100% healthy.  It wouldn't be that surprising, tbh.

What injury does he think Paul has?

It's just idle speculation...the point is, it's not just that Paul is tired from the season or the playoffs, he's not 100% healthy.

Obviously none of us can really say for sure, but bruised left calf sounds plausible.  I was thinking maybe back issues could be something too (like D Wade...I dunno).  It's been very obvious that Paul hasn't been all that aggressive lately.  It's not just his J...he doesn't go to the hoop all that much.

But let's hope the rest will do the trick coupled with a very low scoring night, which I'm sure made him extremely frustrated.

[Redz]

Just win!

Honestly, has there ever been a Celtics team that has had so many individuals step up big time at various points for a playoff run at various points?

[PosImpos]

Just win!

Honestly, has there ever been a Celtics team that has had so many individuals step up big time at various points for a playoff run at various points?

I don't know, and it is really great to see.

That said, however, it would be nice to be confident that we can always count on at least a few of our players to have a good night on any particular occasion.  It's great when people step up but I don't know if any of our players has played well in every game so far...except maybe Perk.

I feel like in the playoffs it's awesome to get great performances from your supporting cast but if your starters aren't dominating the games you can't go all that far.  I am sure we will make it to the ECF if our team can play like they did last night for the rest of this series, but that's a tall order. 

If we make it to the ECF, the question then is how well we can actually push the Cavs, who have not really had any true challenges yet this post season.

[Reddo]

This to me is why the Cavaliers are clear-cut favorites to win the NBA championship.  Lebron steps up every single night and does his thing.  Even when he doesn't lead them in scoring, his mark is left on the game. 

We don't have that kind of guy anymore and for the most part we didn't have him last year either.  Individual players step up, and sometimes can control a series as in Pierce in the finals last year, but we don't have a night in, night out performer like that anymore.

Just as a thought experiment: the Cavs are undeniably Lebron's team and they play like Lebron's team every night meaning everything they do is centered about Lebron.  The closest we've got to that right now is Rondo.  Even when he has a "bad" game as in game 1 with 7 turnovers, he still controls the action of the Celtics.  But, I'm gonna need to see it from him over the course of a season to really believe he's reached that level.

[Ohio Celtics Fan]

Just win!

Honestly, has there ever been a Celtics team that has had so many individuals step up big time at various points for a playoff run at various points?

I don't know, and it is really great to see.

That said, however, it would be nice to be confident that we can always count on at least a few of our players to have a good night on any particular occasion.  It's great when people step up but I don't know if any of our players has played well in every game so far...except maybe Perk.

I feel like in the playoffs it's awesome to get great performances from your supporting cast but if your starters aren't dominating the games you can't go all that far.  I am sure we will make it to the ECF if our team can play like they did last night for the rest of this series, but that's a tall order. 

If we make it to the ECF, the question then is how well we can actually push the Cavs, who have not really had any true challenges yet this post season.

I think the fact that the Cavs have not had a real challenge so far in the playoffs might be of a great help in our effort to beat them. I'm not saying we will catch them sleeping, because we wont. They know we're a contender, but, if they are playing at a slightly lower level just because of the level of talent they've been playing... we may be able to steal one of the first two games in Cleveland. (Disclaimer: I'm not saying the Pistons or Hawks are low talent teams I'm simply saying Boston is not a team that would be swept in 4 games.)

[ACF]

Paul Pierce will go for 40+ in one of the next two games. Normally this would not be a bold comment, but with how tired Pierce is looking it becomes one.
Another less bold prediction is we take one game out of the next two.

Well, I've played this card several
times in the PAPOUPG and it hasn't
helped me yet 

[spazmonkey]

Who's not banged up at this time of the season?  That's not to take away from your point, though.  Here's hoping that Pierce embarasses Turkoglu one (or more) of these nights and/or gets Hedo into early foul trouble.

[crownsy]

Yeah I don't know.  I was talking to my dad and he mentioned that he's of the opinion that it's not just Pierce being tired, that he's not 100% healthy.  It wouldn't be that surprising, tbh.

he does seem to "get a stinger" in his knee alot and its always that right one he favors, ill give you that.

[albas89]

Who's not banged up at this time of the season?  That's not to take away from your point, though.  Here's hoping that Pierce embarasses Turkoglu one (or more) of these nights and/or gets Hedo into early foul trouble.

Here's the point, Pierce used to embarrass Turkoglu every time we faced the Magic because Hedo couldn't stay in front of him after his first step, Pierce was just too explosive for a 6'10 guy!! Right now Pierce can't do that...

And one more thing, Paul seems just unable to play D, his defense is way too sloppy!! Last year, during the whole post-season he was on a mission on defense, against LeBron and Kobe! It's so disheartening to see him play such D against guys like Salmons and Turkoglu!! I don't even want to imagine what will happen if we go through to the EFC and he'll have to guard LeBron...

[ToppersBsktball10]

Who's not banged up at this time of the season?  That's not to take away from your point, though.  Here's hoping that Pierce embarasses Turkoglu one (or more) of these nights and/or gets Hedo into early foul trouble.

Here's the point, Pierce used to embarrass Turkoglu every time we faced the Magic because Hedo couldn't stay in front of him after his first step, Pierce was just too explosive for a 6'10 guy!! Right now Pierce can't do that...

And one more thing, Paul seems just unable to play D, his defense is way too sloppy!! Last year, during the whole post-season he was on a mission on defense, against LeBron and Kobe! It's so disheartening to see him play such D against guys like Salmons and Turkoglu!! I don't even want to imagine what will happen if we go through to the EFC and he'll have to guard LeBron...

Maybe a strained back? IF there is an injury. But I strained my back and could not get into defensive position nevermind play defense for 2 weeks

[Birdbrain]

This to me is why the Cavaliers are clear-cut favorites to win the NBA championship.  Lebron steps up every single night and does his thing.  Even when he doesn't lead them in scoring, his mark is left on the game. 

We don't have that kind of guy anymore and for the most part we didn't have him last year either.  Individual players step up, and sometimes can control a series as in Pierce in the finals last year, but we don't have a night in, night out performer like that anymore.

Just as a thought experiment: the Cavs are undeniably Lebron's team and they play like Lebron's team every night meaning everything they do is centered about Lebron.  The closest we've got to that right now is Rondo.  Even when he has a "bad" game as in game 1 with 7 turnovers, he still controls the action of the Celtics.  But, I'm gonna need to see it from him over the course of a season to really believe he's reached that level.

That's because Lebron is the Cavs.  Take him off and they struggle to beat Detroit.  That's in the end will be there downfall as well.  They'll more than likely get out of the East but, I would take Lakers (pains me to say) , Denver, and Houston over Cleveland.