How crucial is a securing Game 3 victory?

[Celtics17]

Yes, but a sweep is much more likely to make them rested and focused. That is a very dangerous combination to run into in the playoffs. Let's not forget our players are not young and could use an extra day or two off. It's doubtful they will lose focus and become complacent. Remember how long The Big Three waited for a title.

[wiley]

We have to win 2 more games. 

How many calories is that?  8 guys times the minutes of each one....come on statistically-inclined trainers.....how many?
I think it's a lot....

more seriously:  imo if Orlando wins tonight we might have to win it in 7.....just imo..

[celticinorlando]

if orlando wins tonight..i see boston winning game 4 and then finishing them in 5 or most likely 6. tonight is the swing game. it will either put the series all for boston or make game 4 pretty much a must win for the Cs. Dont want to go back tied 2-2.

[2short]

Going into the series I felt the C's would win pretty easily but get blown out 1 game when everything worked for the 3pt offense of Orlando.  I'm actually hoping the C's sweep for confidence and to show the Lakers they are coming for the title that they couldn't properly defend due to injuries.

[Jon]

Just to put things into context, the Celtics have only swept the Eastern Conference Finals twice.  The first time it wasn't even the Eastern Conference Finals: it was the Divisional Finals and it was only a 5 games series when the C's beat the Syracuse Nationals 3-0 in '56-57.  The second time it was the '85-86 C's sweeping the Bucks 4-0.  And well it was, as I don't have to remind anyone on this board, arguably the greatest team ever.  

So while I'm certainly hoping that they win tonight and complete the sweep Monday, let's not make it out like the C's have to sweep the ECF to win a title.  Only 2 of the 17 title teams in Boston did it.  

[2short]

Just to put things into context, the Celtics have only swept the Eastern Conference Finals twice.  The first time it wasn't even the Eastern Conference Finals: it was the Divisional Finals and it was only a 5 games series when the C's beat the Syracuse Nationals 3-0 in '56-57.  The second time it was the '85-86 C's sweeping the Bucks 4-0.  And well, as I don't have to remind anyone on this board, arguably the greatest team ever. 

So while I'm certainly hoping that they win tonight and complete the sweep Monday, let's not make it out like the C's have to sweep the ECF to win a title.  Only 2 of the 17 title teams in Boston did it. 

very true and agreed however from van gundy down I'm getting a "defeated" vibe from orlando, jameer nelson is one guy I know who will go all out but more than a few of the other players and van gundy seem frustrated and outplayed in all aspects of game

[Jon]

Just to put things into context, the Celtics have only swept the Eastern Conference Finals twice.  The first time it wasn't even the Eastern Conference Finals: it was the Divisional Finals and it was only a 5 games series when the C's beat the Syracuse Nationals 3-0 in '56-57.  The second time it was the '85-86 C's sweeping the Bucks 4-0.  And well, as I don't have to remind anyone on this board, arguably the greatest team ever. 

So while I'm certainly hoping that they win tonight and complete the sweep Monday, let's not make it out like the C's have to sweep the ECF to win a title.  Only 2 of the 17 title teams in Boston did it. 

very true and agreed however from van gundy down I'm getting a "defeated" vibe from orlando, jameer nelson is one guy I know who will go all out but more than a few of the other players and van gundy seem frustrated and outplayed in all aspects of game

True.  The looks on their faces (particularly Carter, but also Lewis, Pietrus, and others) at the end of last game looked like they were ready to give up. 

[nickagneta]

I think some here are being a little overly dramatic regarding just how crucial this game is, unless of course you happen to be mistakenly discussing Orlando's point of view. For Orlando tonight is the series. Win and there's a glimmer of hope. Lose and it's over.

But for Boston? Sure every game is crucial but after the split in Cleveland they had the biggest playoff lost in franchise history and still won that series without going to seven games. And that extended amount of playing, compared to the other 3 teams participating in conference finals games, certainly didn't seem to effect their effort due to fatigue or focus due to fatigue. If anything it could be argued that they appear to be the most focused and strongest team still playing. So whether they win in 4 or 5 or 6 games, in my opinion, isn't going to effect the way they play in the Finals unless there is a major injury.

A Boston win is a confidence crusher for Orlando and makes Boston, to me the prohibitive favorite to win it all. A loss just shows they aren't a perfect team but still leaves them with HCA and the next game in their building with them playing with a chip on their shoulders. If they were going to lose any more games in Boston this year, I would bet this would be the one and I seriously doubt it will effect the outcome of this series or their overall play in general.

[LB3533]

I don't like the feeling of being content with winning 2 road games so that we can afford to let up or give up a home game or whatever.

Lebron and the Cavs felt that way when we took Game 2 during the previous playoff series. They played well in Game 3 and we did not, but the simple fact was they didn't play with any urgency and they played the game like showing up was enough to get past us.

Just because we got 2 wins on the road against the Magic doesn't mean we can loosen up and relax.

There's no relaxing until we're hoisting up that Larry O trophy.

[celticinorlando]

didn't orlando say they were going to come out for game 2 like it was a must win? i really think we have seen their best. i can't see how much better they are going to play on the road...every magic player said before game 2 that it was a must win for them and they were going to play like it....i think the magic are full of talk

[nickagneta]

I don't like the feeling of being content with winning 2 road games so that we can afford to let up or give up a home game or whatever.

Lebron and the Cavs felt that way when we took Game 2 during the previous playoff series. They played well in Game 3 and we did not, but the simple fact was they didn't play with any urgency and they played the game like showing up was enough to get past us.

Just because we got 2 wins on the road against the Magic doesn't mean we can loosen up and relax.

There's no relaxing until we're hoisting up that Larry O trophy.

I don't believe anyone mentioned being content with winning the first two on the road or letting up and relaxing. I just think some believe that a loss tonight isn't that critical to Boston.

[celticinorlando]

to me orlando has to have both games in boston. i feel confident if boston goes up 3-1. i prefer boston wins tonight because i think the magic will quit if the go down 3-0. a split in boston gives boston 3 games to clinch.

[guava_wrench]

Not at all crucial.

[2short]

Just to put things into context, the Celtics have only swept the Eastern Conference Finals twice.  The first time it wasn't even the Eastern Conference Finals: it was the Divisional Finals and it was only a 5 games series when the C's beat the Syracuse Nationals 3-0 in '56-57.  The second time it was the '85-86 C's sweeping the Bucks 4-0.  And well, as I don't have to remind anyone on this board, arguably the greatest team ever. 

So while I'm certainly hoping that they win tonight and complete the sweep Monday, let's not make it out like the C's have to sweep the ECF to win a title.  Only 2 of the 17 title teams in Boston did it. 

very true and agreed however from van gundy down I'm getting a "defeated" vibe from orlando, jameer nelson is one guy I know who will go all out but more than a few of the other players and van gundy seem frustrated and outplayed in all aspects of game

True.  The looks on their faces (particularly Carter, but also Lewis, Pietrus, and others) at the end of last game looked like they were ready to give up. 

yes lewis did have the same look as carter, like we just gave it our all and they handled us easily
also van gundy on sideline was saying something like we can't defend them

[EJPLAYA]

Considering a win in game 3 basically puts us in the finals I'd say VERY crucial. Considering we need to be well rested to beat the Lakers in the finals and they appear to be headed for a short series as well, I'd say VERY crucial. Can we win in game 4 and then win it in 5 or 6, yes. For title purposes we need to win them both and get some rest.