No Game 7 please

[schabette]

We gotta finish them off tonight! My nerves aren't ready for a game 7 yet!

[Dr H]

In game 5 the Celtics were:

-1 bone-headed Rondo play(or 2 if you count that very last possession after his steal) where he passed up a wide open layup for a turnover

-A few very very very very very very rare missed free throws by Mr. Walter Ray Allen himself

-a Paul Pierce dragging on one leg

..from winning, and lost by 1 point. That's with Josh Smith playing a hell of a game, Horford playing a hell of a game..and Marvin Williams playing a hell of a game.

Now I'm not saying it'll be smooth sailing tonight and that it will be easy, but the Celtics SHOULD wrap things up tonight. All I hope is that Doc Rivers LAYED INTO Rondo for his..idiocy. Passing up a wide open layup and overall trying to get too cute and fancy.

[Fafnir]

Dr H, all those things are good to know but don't matter.

Its a new game and we need to close out the series. I'm stressed but not worried. This C's team has failed to close out on the road before, but overall have gotten the job done at home.

Go C's!

[jgod213]

Dr H, all those things are good to know but don't matter.

Its a new game and we need to close out the series. I'm stressed but not worried. This C's team has failed to close out on the road before, but overall have gotten the job done at home.

Go C's!

Sometime people forget how much playing at home really means.  This Hawks team is too emotionally fragile, they will wilt when the Garden starts to rock.

[mctyson]

the fans in the Garden can make that happen tonight

[Mr October]

I wish i was in Boston tonight!! Celtics need to close this thing for sure!!

...Here me baby, hold together.

[celticinorlando]

it needs to end tonight. I don't feel good at all about a game 7

[Mr October]

Horford's return changes the complexion big time. The Celtics don't have a front line that can handle 2 quality bigs. Garnett can handle 1 of Horford/Smith. Bass and company just aren't good enough to handle the other.

This suddenly makes the Hawks the toughest matchup (outside of LA) for the C's front line.

I hope the Garden crowd brings it! Outside of Horford, these Hawks can be rattled mentally, especially on the road.

[Who]

it needs to end tonight. I don't feel good at all about a game 7

I'm not nervous yet. The Celtics are still in a very strong position.

But if Atlanta win tonight and force a Game Seven, I'd get nervous and in a hurry. Anything can happen in a one-game situation. Gotta do everything within their power to avoid that possibility.

[thestackshow]

To be honest, we need to win tonight and sweep the next round, thats the only way were going to be healthy enough to take on Miami in the ECF.

[Fafnir]

Horford's return changes the complexion big time. The Celtics don't have a front line that can handle 2 quality bigs. Garnett can handle 1 of Horford/Smith. Bass and company just aren't good enough to handle the other.

This suddenly makes the Hawks the toughest matchup (outside of LA) for the C's front line.

I hope the Garden crowd brings it! Outside of Horford, these Hawks can be rattled mentally, especially on the road.

Its not that they can't "handle" two quality bigs as much as KG can't roam off Horford like he could Ivan Johnson, Jason Collins, and Erik Dampier without paying for it.

[thestackshow]

Horford's return changes the complexion big time. The Celtics don't have a front line that can handle 2 quality bigs. Garnett can handle 1 of Horford/Smith. Bass and company just aren't good enough to handle the other.

This suddenly makes the Hawks the toughest matchup (outside of LA) for the C's front line.

I hope the Garden crowd brings it! Outside of Horford, these Hawks can be rattled mentally, especially on the road.

Pretty much this. Outside of the Lakers the Hawks are probably our worst match up in the league. They own us at almost every position and even Teague is playing at a high level, even outplaying Rondo in a few games.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Game 7 in ATL would be tough. C's better finish it tonight.

Horford returning is a problem. Call me crazy but Doc should probably lean towards starting Hollins tonight. Bass is clearly outmatched by Josh Smith. And he definitely can't take Horford. At least KG and Hollins would be longer than the two, making it a little bit tough to get a rebound and Hollins could probably bother Horford a littl bit on the offense being 2 inches longer.

Put Bass off the bench to give scoring punch and energy. Set the tone right away by going to the glass hard using our longest players we have.

Hey that's just me. We have to finish this tonight. Or we are done in Game 7.

[schabette]

Game 7 in ATL would be tough. C's better finish it tonight.

Horford returning is a problem. Call me crazy but Doc should probably lean towards starting Hollins tonight. Bass is clearly outmatched by Josh Smith. And he definitely can't take Horford. At least KG and Hollins would be longer than the two, making it a little bit tough to get a rebound and Hollins could probably bother Horford a littl bit on the offense being 2 inches longer.

Put Bass off the bench to give scoring punch and energy. Set the tone right away by going to the glass hard using our longest players we have.

Hey that's just me. We have to finish this tonight. Or we are done in Game 7.

Interesting Idea. Although I don't think Hollins can handle Horford on the offensive end. Maybe start Stiemsma to put him on Smith, he can deny his jumpers much better than Bass, and KG should be able to shut down Horford!

[LarBrd33]

I get that we only lost by 1.  My problem is that this was only HOrford's second game back after missing 4 months.  His first game he only played 20 minutes.  In this game he played a full game, 19 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks, 3 steals.  Not bad for a guy who we can presume is still shaking off the cobwebs.  Atlanta, of course, is still adjusting to having him back after 4 months off... that can't be understated either.  His first game back (Game 4) we rightfully destroyed him.  His second game (game 5)... they gave us major trouble.   We were swallowed up by their interior defense, we were destroyed on the boards...

It makes them a completely different team.  What happens if Joe Johnson finally gets it going?  He's back at his natural SG position which means he'll be guarded by Avery Bradley... who is 5 inches and 60 pounds smaller.  That's alarming.  Johnson should be able to torch Bradley at will.

What happens if Pierce is still playing at 50% due to the sprained MCL?  As proven... this team can not survive without a healthy Pierce.  He's the 2nd most important player on this team behind Kevin Garnett.

What happens if Atlanta just gets stronger?  This is a game we should still win, but I'm rather worried.   This series has completely changed due to Horford.  During the 4th quarter of game 5 I kept saying over and over, "Please steal a win here... please steal a win here, please steal a win here!"... I wanted no part of facing a full-strength Atlanta with HOrford after their practice run in game 5.  We almost dodged a bullet... but now I fear we're in serious trouble.  We don't seem to match up well with Atlanta at this point.  Here's hoping I'm wrong.

Oh and Bill Kennedy is a ref tonight.  We're officially screwed.