I strongly believe the Celtics will step up against Cavs

[vagrantwade]

After we win game 7 of this series, I believe the Celtics will step things up. I think they are fully aware of the task ahead and how they are the underdogs.

I just get this feeling that they aren't playing their best basketball(except maybe rondo) because in the back of their mind they know they can beat the Bulls and the Magic in a 7 game series without it.

[HYPE.]

I AGREEEEEE. 

Sick avatar, by the way.

[Atzar]

After we win game 7 of this series, I believe the Celtics will step things up. I think they are fully aware of the task ahead and how they are the underdogs.

I just get this feeling that they aren't playing their best basketball(except maybe Perk) because in the back of their mind they know they can beat the Bulls and the Magic in a 7 game series without it.

Fixed 

Honestly, though, I think this team is absolutely gassed.  I don't think they're saving their best for anybody, I think they're emptying the tank of everything they have every time out on the court.  I still think heart can carrying this team farther than people think, but they're clearly running on E.

[thirstyboots18]

After the heroics of last year I would never count this team out.  About the truest thing you can say is that they will give it their all.

[vagrantwade]

After we win game 7 of this series, I believe the Celtics will step things up. I think they are fully aware of the task ahead and how they are the underdogs.

I just get this feeling that they aren't playing their best basketball(except maybe Perk) because in the back of their mind they know they can beat the Bulls and the Magic in a 7 game series without it.

Fixed 

Honestly, though, I think this team is absolutely gassed.  I don't think they're saving their best for anybody, I think they're emptying the tank of everything they have every time out on the court.  I still think heart can carrying this team farther than people think, but they're clearly running on E.

I don't understand this train of thought. Why do people think they are gassed? We just won 2 days ago. We have a game with way too many turnovers tonight, and people think we have one leg in the grave.

People are just missing shots. Imagine how differently this series would have been if Ray could have at least been shooting 30% from the 3 point line. He certainly isn't missing them because he is tired, he just isn't making the shots.

[TitleMaster]

No, this team is underachieving. Both Chic and Orlando should have been put away in 6.

Realize, in '03, the Pacers were expected to take out the C's but we put 'em away in 6. That was a team w/o Rodney Rogers and a pretty lame overall strategy of 3 pt bombing, blitzing zone defense, combined with the Antoine/PP show.

What's happened is that the C's have developed this Jekyll 'n Hyde mentality where they turn it on and off on team defense and thus, let the opponent back in at critical junctures.

In a way, we have everything (yes, this includes w/o KG or Powe) to take out even Cleveland but we tend to lose it somewhere esp on defense. For me, this 2nd 7 games series is irritating. Orlando really isn't all that great and albeit, I respect Howard's effort but really, this isn't Hakeem's Rockets. The series should be over.

[star18]

Celtics don't play like that. They play the opponents, not the score or the stats. With KG in a suit, they aren't going to dominate teams so they have to play smarter. Celtics will beat Cavs no problem. STARBURY #18

[Atzar]

After we win game 7 of this series, I believe the Celtics will step things up. I think they are fully aware of the task ahead and how they are the underdogs.

I just get this feeling that they aren't playing their best basketball(except maybe Perk) because in the back of their mind they know they can beat the Bulls and the Magic in a 7 game series without it.

Fixed 

Honestly, though, I think this team is absolutely gassed.  I don't think they're saving their best for anybody, I think they're emptying the tank of everything they have every time out on the court.  I still think heart can carrying this team farther than people think, but they're clearly running on E.

I don't understand this train of thought. Why do people think they are gassed? We just won 2 days ago. We have a game with way too many turnovers tonight, and people think we have one leg in the grave.

People are just missing shots. Imagine how differently this series would have been if Ray could have at least been shooting 30% from the 3 point line. He certainly isn't missing them because he is tired, he just isn't making the shots.

You can be tired and still win games.  It's called guts, and that's what the team is winning on right now.  I don't think we have one leg in the grave... I actually think we'll beat the Magic and fare much better than expected against the Cavs (although how well that is, I'm not sure).  But with KG and Powe out, Scal playing after 3 concussions this year, Rondo on two sprained ankles, Perk with a tweaked shoulder, and Paul and Ray struggling every night, it's pretty clear that a couple of months off will be good for this team.  I just hope they get on the golf course after everybody else, that's all  

[ScoobyDoo]

I don't know if they're saving it for the Cavs. I agree I think they're gassed big time. Also, I would think if they were saving it to step up against the Cavs, then they'd try and take people out more quickly to be more rested. That's a matter of focus and determination.

I lean more on the other side, that they lack focus and intensity for 48 minutes. And to no suprise that is why KG is the difference maker for this squad. he demands it and even if he doesn't get it every night, he's certainly screaming at everyone to bring it every night.

I agree that the Chicago series should have been over in 6 as should have this series.

I think if they played focused, intense, hard core defense for 48 minutes against the Cavs they'd have a decent chance. But they just havent' seemed to prove they can do it.

As someone said, Jekyl and Hyde personality. Incredibly frustrating

[EJPLAYA]

This is crazy. If you can't step it up against the Bulls and Magic, what makes you think we have this "turn-it-on" switch?! They all knew the only way for them to have a chance against the Cavs was to play short series and to get some rest. Instead we play 14 games with 3 overtime games. We should have swept the Bulls if not for PP not hitting a couple free throws. This series should have gone 6 at most. You're looking through green tinted glasses if you think this team without KG and Powe and an exhausted PP is going to upset the Cavs. I think we will slip by the Magic since it is on our home court, but it wouldn't surprise me AT ALL to be swept by the Cavs.

[ScoobyDoo]

Agreed, we needed to make quick work of both chicago and Orlando and just kept sticking our foot in the crap over and over again. Just stupid plays and terrible shot selection.

Aslo, they come out sometimes with such and incredible lack of intensity I can't fathom it. like game one of this series. It was like "ho-hum", whatever.

We have soem great players on this team but KG is the alpha dog that makes it all go. he demands the intensity, minute by minute.

I'd say if these guys could understand an play with that intensity KG brings we could beat anyone. But they don't and that's why they're so inconsistent. 

[crownsy]

I'd say if these guys could understand an play with that intensity KG brings we could beat anyone. But they don't and that's why they're so inconsistent. 

This is ridculous, if they didn't play that way, chicago would have sent us home in 5, and last night orlando would have closed us out, not had to fight to send us to seven.

It's frustrating to me that we don't have a good enough front court to compete for the title this year too, but I'm [dang] proud of the fight this team has showed. No one's taking it easy on us, we still have the bullseye on us every night, and without KG we have no post game. zero.

No one double teams big baby or perk, at least consistently. That means teams can double paul and ray, and thus have made there lives a living hell. Yet somehow, we still claw through.

We are a pick and roll team, but our two best pick and roll bigs are on the bench with injuries. Teams jam the pick and roll on paul 25 feet from the basket, and have no fear of leaving THREE ( perk, baby, and rondo) of our starters outside the paint to double/ chase the other two since they can't shoot consistently.  Still, despite some possessions where we play 4 on 2, literally, we claw through.

How well this team is playing with zero respect given double team wise to our limited bigs and a PG who everyone  cheats off of amazes me. We are literately playing 3 on 4 out on the permiter, and giving up huge mismatches size wise with perk on the bench, and yet somehow were finding shots and playing defense.

Did you notice last year that people couldn't double team ray or paul, even when cheating off rondo? KG (and even leon to an extent) was the reason, and it opened up our offense. Right now we have to claw, grind, kick and scream for every win, and they are playing with house money from me. 

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

After we win game 7 of this series, I believe the Celtics will step things up. I think they are fully aware of the task ahead and how they are the underdogs.

I just get this feeling that they aren't playing their best basketball(except maybe rondo) because in the back of their mind they know they can beat the Bulls and the Magic in a 7 game series without it.

Whoa there big fella, one game/day at a time, no?

[RAcker]

After we win game 7 of this series, I believe the Celtics will step things up. I think they are fully aware of the task ahead and how they are the underdogs.

I just get this feeling that they aren't playing their best basketball(except maybe rondo) because in the back of their mind they know they can beat the Bulls and the Magic in a 7 game series without it.

Whoa there big fella, one game/day at a time, no?

Yeah, somebody tug the reigns a little bit.  Easy big guy.

[BrickJames]

After we win game 7 of this series, I believe the Celtics will step things up. I think they are fully aware of the task ahead and how they are the underdogs.

I just get this feeling that they aren't playing their best basketball(except maybe rondo) because in the back of their mind they know they can beat the Bulls and the Magic in a 7 game series without it.

Whoa there big fella, one game/day at a time, no?

Yeah let's hope they step up vs. the Magic first.