Who do you think would be an easier opponent to beat in the Finals?

[nickagneta]

After seeing that the Lakers lost tonight and seeing that there is a very real possibility that the Suns could actually beat the Lakers, I asked myself, do the Celtics really want to face the Suns?

Sure the Suns can't spell defense never mind play it but they are very athletic and they run and their offense is faced paced and extraordinary. I think their offense might provide the Celtics defense with their biggest challenge and might inevitably cause them to be the tougher overall opponent for the Celtics.

Remember, back when the Celtics were playing outstanding basketball at the beginning of the season, it was Phoenix who beat them twice in their first 31 games, both times pretty handily carving out double digit fourth quarter leads.

[3ptAndOne]

We match better with the Lakers in style of play and personnel.  We know what to expect from the Lakers if we meet them. I feel the Suns have players that can penetrate our defense. I expect some high scoring games if we meet them. The Lakers is the easier opponent because of familiarity; however, I think the Suns will be our opponent.

[Bahku]

Lakers ... we are their "Achilles Heel" ... and they know it. Better match-ups, fewer weak spots ... I think we'd have more trouble with the Suns in the long run, but I still would love for Phoenix to win this series.

[PosImpos]

Phoenix can't win in LA (their bench only plays super well at home), so it's a moot point, but I'd say Phoenix.

Look, teams like Phoenix gave us trouble in the regular season.  But Boston is exactly the kind of team that Phoenix doesn't want to face.  Our best defenders are at their positions of strength (PG and PF) and we're all around a great defensive team.  If the Magic can't decimate us from 3, I don't expect the Suns to do so. 

Nash is having trouble with Derek Fisher right now...just wait till Rondo gets a crack at him.  Not to mention, STAT and Frye will be so easy for Rondo to score on inside, it would be marvelous to behold.

The Suns would be very difficult to defeat at home, but I think we'd steal at least one game there, and I'm confident we'd defend our home court (as long as we don't go up 3-0 ). 

The Lakers are much scarier in my opinion.  Kobe and Gasol are so much better than Nash and STAT.  The Suns are very imposing when they are hitting tons of 3's, but they don't have the full package on both ends of the floor the way the Lakers do.

[jdpapa3]

I'd trust our defense to handle the Suns on most nights.

One thing about LA is that I don't know if there is a matchup we can exploit. KG exploited Jamison. Pierce can exploit Orlando. The natural choice to exploit LA is Rondo, but I feel he'd have a tough time finishing with their twin towers protecting the paint. Pau's an underrated help defender.

[bruinsandceltics]

I don't really care who would be easier. I could stomach the Suns beating us in the finals if it came to that, I couldn't stomach the Lakers beating us.

Thus I am cheering so hard for the Suns.

[tenn_smoothie]

right now, my only concern is to get to the finals, period.

[Celtics Fan]

right now, my only concern is to get to the finals, period.

That is the Truth brother.

[FallGuy]

I think Boston will beat either Phoenix or the Lakers. I think Phoenix is a better matchup for us though. The cure for our intermittent offensive stagnation is the Phoenix defense. For all the talk of their zone D tonight, L.A. scored pretty easily.

Their offense is better than Orlando's and we'll struggle more defending the pick and roll and closing out on shooters than we do stopping Dwight Howard and then closing out on Orlando's guys. But ultimately, Phoenix is just too small to beat us. IMO. They do have a terrific bench though. Boston's starters will be playing heavy minutes again.

[LB3533]

I want the Lakers. We can beat the Lakers.

Not sure if we can handle the Suns and their bench. (Suns would have homecourt against us too).

[makaveli]

Both teams are very good, but I think we can handle them combined
If Suns advance do we have HCA?

[P2]

I could care less, because if we advance to the Finals, we'll beat any opponent.

[Birdbrain]

I could care less, because if we advance to the Finals, we'll beat any opponent.

Agreed, but we match up better with LA, IMO.

The PG mismatch obviously but, also because we have the length to hang down low with LA while Amare would cause problems with his quickness.

Either way they both are horrible defensive teams.  Let's finish this off tonight the ' Celtic way ' on the road in a tough environment.

[ACF]

If Suns advance do we have HCA?

Nope, Phoenix finished 54-28. Doesn't matter though, since we are the best team (still in the playoffs) on the road.

[lon3lytoaster]

If Suns advance do we have HCA?

Nope, Phoenix finished 54-28. Doesn't matter though, since we are the best team (still in the playoffs) on the road.

With the Celtics being better on the road, how do you feel about the 2-3-2 NBA Finals format?