Celtics (0-0) at Cavs (0-0) Game 1 5/1

[Bahku]

Very few people outside of die hard Celtics fans give the Celtics a chance to win this.  Every ESPN analyst pics the Cavs to win in anywhere from 4 to 7 games.  Even Tim Legler, who was the only one to pick the Celtics against the Lakers in 2008 picks the Cavs in 7.   Dan Shaughnessy's  seems to be the only one, outside of die hard Celtics fans, who gives the Celtics any chance of beating the Cavs. 

I have to give props to Kenny Smith ... he actually has given the win to the Celtics, despite the inane ribbing taken from Sir Charles the Loud. Great set-up, FlCeltsFan! (TP)

[Who]

Very excited about tonight's game ...

I was fed up of the first round, too many flawed or low quality opponents. Too many one-sided matchups.

Finally, two top drawer teams going head-to-head ... this is what the playoffs are all about!

[fan33]

Are you kidding me, this is the best of the best, I love a good game full of dramatic highs And lows and comebacks, All of it!!!

Great competition brings out the best, Nobody folds!!!

I'm pumped!

I've learned not to get caught up in the minor tit for tat in the game threads where folks need to vent and spewl at someone, I guess...

Have fun and may the best team win!

GO Celtics, ( We Believe, Now, put out the effort in evidence! )

TP FL

[fairweatherfan]

I'll probably start off a bit behind on TiVo, but good luck C's!!! Hopefully I'll be checking in late in the Game to celebrate the first of 4 great wins!

[YouGotRondo d]

I'm definitely excited for this series. Every time these teams get together its been memorable.

I'm hoping for some '08 magic, but this Cle team is so different..

I'm wondering how people feel we should handle James in help situations:
-Our best help defender is KG, and we can't have him leave Jamison or risk getting burned on the jumper.
-If Perkins leaves Shaq, we risk giving up post position.

So do we just leave Pierce on an island, or let his team beat us? Thoughts?

Personally, I'd like to see Pierce/TA step up and man up, fight through picks and just do what we can. If Bron scores 50, hopefully his teammates can at least be held in check. Maybe give LBJ a few friendly jabs at that elbow on the way.  As we showed in '08, it takes a team to win a series, not a single player!

Go Celts

[RebusRankin]

Kenny knows a little more than Charles Barkley about winning.

[nickagneta]

Everyone psyched to see the beginning of the end of Lebron James in Cleveland? I know I am. When the C's finish off the Cavs in 6 and LeGirl skulks away to the Cavs locker room for the last time without shaking hands of the future 2010 NBA world champions in a week and a half, it will be the last time LeBaby wears a cavaliers' uniform.

[incoherent]

I see everyone has gotten much more positive.  I remember just a few days ago in a predictions thread, everyone, literally everyone, was picking the C's to lose here.

Keep the positiveness flowing, we can do this!

[hpantazo]

Let's Go Celtics!!! Let's Go Celtics!!! 

[Bahku]

Our bench is going to be key ... they've got to come up big ... if they can sustain the pressure and do so consistently, I feel great about our chances. I'm a bit concerned about us winning this first game and getting over-confident, but any win on their floor is a good thing.

Go Celtics!        Go Celtics!        Go Celtics!        Go Celtics!        Go Celtics!        Go Celtics!        Go Celtics!        Go Celtics!        Go Celtics!        Go Celtics!

[P2]

Just throwing it out there: Gabe Pruitt has more championships than Barkley. So I trust The Jet.

[Bahku]

Just throwing it out there: Gabe Pruitt has more championships than Barkley. So I trust The Jet.

Charles tries to mask his hatred of the Celtics behind justifications that seem substantial, but it still just comes down to hatred when you see through his crap.

[Mike-Dub]

Antawn Jamison a better player then KG right now...  Yeah ok Chuck!

And C-Webb the Cavs aren't off the finals themselves!  

You would think the analyst would not be dumb enough and blinded by LeBron and remember that it was actually the Magic in the finals not the Cavs.

[Mike-Dub]

Just throwing it out there: Gabe Pruitt has more championships than Barkley. So I trust The Jet.

Charles tries to mask his hatred of the Celtics behind justifications that seem substantial, but it still just comes down to hatred when you see through his crap.

Charles should just stick to playing golf  !

[GreenFaith1819]

Let's do this, C's!!

Beating them tonight will be akin to walking into someones' home and smacking them in the mouth.

Let's send a message! Continue the effort from last two weeks and this is doable!

Make ESPN get out of the business of Predicting! They already gooned up their predictions for 2007-2008, right!