Game 5 is astronomical

[ItStaysYang]

Stats dictate the Celtics had less than a 5% chance to win the east finals after the heat won two straight. The series, however, is tied at 2. The series has been physical and the officiating questionable. Pierce has fouled out of multiple games in pivotal moments. The wins (and OT loss) have not been pretty but the right guys appear to be stepping up.

Game 5 is in Miami. The Celtics (namely the Captain) have said they know they can win there. Bosh remains the X-factor as he could hurt or help the Heat's cause upon return after missing 9 straight.

With a win in Miami on Tuesday there is a high chance the Celtics will return to Boston and close out the series. With a loss, the Celtics return to Boston in a must-win situation and potentially the end of an incredible era of Boston Celtics basketball. I believe the team has a legitimate chance to win either way as this resilient group has shown on multiple occasions to excel in either scenario.

Will the Celtics steal game 5 in Miami? It is more than likely the winner of 5 wins the series. Year five in a three year plan - The Celtics are 6 wins from 18 and 2 wins from their third finals appearance since the Big 3 wore green. Rondo ftw. Go Celtics

[LarBrd33]

I have a feeling it's not even going to be close... but if the stars align we might win another in Game 6 before Miami closes it out.   Hope I'm wrong.

[Celtics18]

I don't know if I can take another one as gastronomical as tonight's game. 

[antapolar]

i feel the Cs are pretty spent by now. In some way, i kind of don't mind Bosh comes back. When you have to incorporate a player that hasn't played that long into a team ... it creates all kind of chemistry problems. But I could also be eating my words in two days, regardless, definitely agree that these rollercoaster ride has significantly shortened my life span 

[greg683x]

i know this is asking a lot, but Win or Lose in game 5, game 6 is still a must win in Boston.

We're not gonna win 2 in a row in Miami

[clover]

Stats dictate the Celtics had less than a 5% chance to win the east finals after the heat won two straight. The series, however, is tied at 2. The series has been physical and the officiating questionable. Pierce has fouled out of multiple games in pivotal moments. The wins (and OT loss) have not been pretty but the right guys appear to be stepping up.

Game 5 is in Miami. The Celtics (namely the Captain) have said they know they can win there. Bosh remains the X-factor as he could hurt or help the Heat's cause upon return after missing 9 straight.

With a win in Miami on Tuesday there is a high chance the Celtics will return to Boston and close out the series. With a loss, the Celtics return to Boston in a must-win situation and potentially the end of an incredible era of Boston Celtics basketball. I believe the team has a legitimate chance to win either way as this resilient group has shown on multiple occasions to excel in either scenario.

Will the Celtics steal game 5 in Miami? It is more than likely the winner of 5 wins the series. Year five in a three year plan - The Celtics are 6 wins from 18 and 2 wins from their third finals appearance since the Big 3 wore green. Rondo ftw. Go Celtics

A lot of that 5% stat comes from the better team having home court advantage and starting the series at home so often.  Though that's still more often the case after a series is tied up 2-2, of course the numbers aren't quite so bad, but still the ultimate winner is more likely to be the team with HCA and the team that wins games 5.

But in the C's case, if the won game 5 they'd be likely to go home and lose game 6 anyway, so I don't see 5 being as important as it would be for some teams in their situation. 

Then again, they're the old guys more likely to be tuckered out and Bosh is more likely to add value the longer the series goes.

[Rondo_is_better]

We're not gonna win 2 in a row in Miami

Well, we just did.

[ACF]

When a team goes up 2-0, they win 94 % of the time. I like to think that we've got a team that could be among that last 6 %. I think we figured out how to play Miami. Rondo needs to push, push, push. They might have the two best players (though at the moment, I'd rank Rajon ahead of Wade, based on performance in the ECF) but we've got the best team. I think we could be among those 6 %. Our team is full of pride and sometimes go on fumes alone.

That said, whatever happens from now on out, I am extremely proud to be a fan of this team. If not for injuries, we could've had a minor dynasty. I know, but and if... Fact is, we had the best start to a season in NBA history and then KG went down. Then Perk went down in G6. Then Wade took Rondo down, effectively killing our chances in a series where Rondo was our only chance.

"It's not the name on the back of the jersey that matters, it's the name on the front." ---Red

No "I" in team. One for all. Ubuntu!

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I am positive they can win in Miami. Heck I believe they won Game 2. The Celtics somehow figured out how to play against the Heat.

It's now a matter of knocking down shots, playing the same intensity on defense as they did, and Rondo pushing the tempo.

Pressure is building up on LeBron right now, and it might affect him or not but it could certainly dictate the series.

Lets GO!

[Freebo]

All I'm going to say is this, if we go ahead and win the next two, we will be the only game in history that advanced with 5 wins

[j804]

When a team goes up 2-0, they win 94 % of the time. I like to think that we've got a team that could be among that last 6 %. I think we figured out how to play Miami. Rondo needs to push, push, push. They might have the two best players (though at the moment, I'd rank Rajon ahead of Wade, based on performance in the ECF) but we've got the best team. I think we could be among those 6 %. Our team is full of pride and sometimes go on fumes alone.

That said, whatever happens from now on out, I am extremely proud to be a fan of this team. If not for injuries, we could've had a minor dynasty. I know, but and if... Fact is, we had the best start to a season in NBA history and then KG went down. Then Perk went down in G6. Then Wade took Rondo down, effectively killing our chances in a series where Rondo was our only chance.

"It's not the name on the back of the jersey that matters, it's the name on the front." ---Red

No "I" in team. One for all. Ubuntu!

I agree and Rondo knows this that's why hes been out to kill the Heat ever since. I feel confident going into this next game that well take it. It's everything clicking at the right time Rondo getting us off to amazing starts, Ray now going, KG in the post, the defense of Marquis/Pietrus/Dooling, the offense execution, stifling D and on and on lets keep it rolling.......

[Employee8]

I have a feeling it's not even going to be close... but if the stars align we might win another in Game 6 before Miami closes it out.   Hope I'm wrong.

You have got to be the one of the most pessimistic Celtics fan I've ever seen on these boards.  Try being positive for a change- it's more fun rooting for the team that way rather than always holding a dim outlook on the team.  You might be right in the end but you're not going to feel great about if it comes true.

Lighten up dude.  If we make it to the Finals, am I going to expect to see you writing a lengthy post about how Rondo can't penetrate as well against the Spurs or if we'll be "lucky" to even escape with a win against either squad.  Larry Bird ain't walking through that door.  Make do with what we've got here.

[mctyson]

I have a feeling it's not even going to be close... but if the stars align we might win another in Game 6 before Miami closes it out.   Hope I'm wrong.

You have been wrong every step of the way so far so here's hoping that trend continues.

[mctyson]

Stats dictate the Celtics had less than a 5% chance to win the east finals after the heat won two straight. The series, however, is tied at 2.

Those stats are inflated by all of the series that have been played in NBA history where inferior teams went up against superior teams (like 1 vs. 8 matchups).  My guess is if we removed all the 1 v 8, 2 v 7, 3 v 6 series from the first round only we would see that teams down 0-2 win at a much higher rate than 5-10%.

Here are the stats I'd like to see if anyone knows where to get them:

% chance of winning an ECF or Finals when down 0-2
% chance of winning an ECF or Finals when losing Game 5 (series tied at 2-2)
% chance of winning Game 5 of an ECF or Finals on the road (when series tied at 2-2)

[Q_FBE]

Party like it is 1969!!!!!