How crucial is a securing Game 3 victory?

[Rondo_is_better]

This game is more important than game 4. If we win, it sets us up for almost certain victory in the series. If we lose, its the first step down a potential slippery slope. If we were to lose tonight it would give Orlando life and motivation while putting us on the defensive. Its really important that we win.

Also, we have to shut Dwight Howard up. He thinks he can beat us because Orlando came back from down 3-2 last year...we need to show him that with KG, it is a COMPLETELY different story.

[SalmonAndMashedPotatoes]

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.

If your only concern is rest, then it's actually not very crucial at all.  If this series and the WCF series go 5 or less games, we'll get at least 6 days off (Finals would start on June 1st).  If our series goes 6 or more games, then we're looking at either 3 or 5 days rest depending on whether it goes 6 or 7 games (the Finals would then start on June 3rd).  So, really, we're looking at anywhere from 3 to 8 days of rest, that is, if we advance.  Assuming we remain healthy (and don't need days off to get healthier), I'd rather we're closer to 3 days rest than 8 days rest, everything else being equal. 

While I'd welcome a sweep (who wouldn't?), the extra rest isn't the reason why.  We're 0-2 right now in the games in which we had 3 or more days off, so long term rest seems to have some negative effect on this team.  We'll see tonight if we can turn around our rest=defeat formula.

[celticinorlando]

the longer boston allows the magic to live...the more dangerous they become. it is time to take their heart tonight

[Cman]

This game is more important than game 4. If we win, it sets us up for almost certain victory in the series. If we lose, its the first step down a potential slippery slope. If we were to lose tonight it would give Orlando life and motivation while putting us on the defensive. Its really important that we win.

Agreed.

It's interesting to think about the differences in posts on here tomorrow depending on the outcome of the game.  Even if the Cs lose, they would still be favored to win the series, yet that won't stop excessive hand wringing on here tomorrow, in the same way that a couple of close wins in ORL led to excessive confidence in the team.

Just my two cents.

[Rondo_is_better]

This game is more important than game 4. If we win, it sets us up for almost certain victory in the series. If we lose, its the first step down a potential slippery slope. If we were to lose tonight it would give Orlando life and motivation while putting us on the defensive. Its really important that we win.

Agreed.

It's interesting to think about the differences in posts on here tomorrow depending on the outcome of the game.  Even if the Cs lose, they would still be favored to win the series, yet that won't stop excessive hand wringing on here tomorrow, in the same way that a couple of close wins in ORL led to excessive confidence in the team.

Just my two cents. spitting straight facts

[Jon]

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.

I don't necessarily think rest is a key against the Lakers.  The Lakers are old too and I think the C's may match up against the Lakers better than anyone they've played up until this point (Rondo should absolutely destroy Fisher, Kobe is going to have a much, much tougher time with Ray than people think, PP may have some trouble with Artest, KG is going to shred the soft Gasol, and Perkins is going to really limit Bynum).  I think people forget that Kobe in many ways had an easier time on Pierce last Finals (who he didn't have to chase around though screens like he'll have to do with Ray).  And Artest, for all his defensive prowess, isn't quick enough to stick with Ray, so it'll have to be Kobe.  I really think that's going to do a number on Kobe and affect his offense.