The reality of game 6 and why we should win game 7

[LarBrd33]

I think the reality of game 6 is that we never had anyone capable of stopping LeBron James on this team and yet we still miraculously managed to push the series to 7 games.  Law of averages caught up with us tonight and LeBron had a very LeBron type of game.   If Pierce weren't battling a sprained MCL, this might be a little different, but injuries aren't really an excuse.  It is what it is.  LeBron was LeBron last night.   Reality is... the odds are in MIami's favor Saturday as well... and we will more than likely end up losing despite a hard-fought effort.  Be proud of what they accomplished... hope for the best... but don't be disappointed when we lose game 7 by 8-15 points.  Be happy we even got this far.

[chambers]

I think the reality of game 6 is that we never had anyone capable of stopping LeBron James on this team and yet we still miraculously managed to push the series to 7 games.  Law of averages caught up with us tonight and LeBron had a very LeBron type of game.   If Pierce weren't battling a sprained MCL, this might be a little different, but injuries aren't really an excuse.  It is what it is.  LeBron was LeBron last night.   Reality is... the odds are in MIami's favor Saturday as well... and we will more than likely end up losing despite a hard-fought effort.  Be proud of what they accomplished... hope for the best... but don't be disappointed when we lose game 7 by 8-15 points.  Be happy we even got this far.

Don't know if I agree with this very much.
The reality is that even with our depleted roster, we are the superior team. If not for some of the worst officiating the NBA has seen in years in game 2, this series would be over and we'd be headed to the finals.

We are better because we have an inside scoring presence in KG and Miami really hasn't had an answer for the Rondo/KG tandem.
They are relying on two things: a 50-60 point contribution from their two studs, and above average three point shooting.

We were in tonight's game until the final 3 minutes of the 3rd quarter. We had hit 1 of 13 three point attempts up until that point and Pierce had 4 points. Lebron was chucking up threes and fade away baseline jumpshots with 20 seconds on the clock- complete garbage looks that were luckily for his sake, dropping.
This was an above average Lebron performance and the kind of thing you might see once every 3 years in the playoffs. I believe Wilt is the only other person with such a similar line before.

To think that he'll play the same in the next game is scary, but highly unlikely. He's Lebron James, a paint/interior scorer who effects the game with the triple threat of scoring, passing and defense. Not Kobe, not Durant, who make their money from mid range jumpshots.

The pressure is on the Heat as it was in game 6. They hit a lot of threes, but they also didn't get much input from anyone bar Lebron and he'll have to do the same to beat this group of Celtics who are figuring they're playing their last game together if they don't win.

[LarBrd33]

I think the reality of game 6 is that we never had anyone capable of stopping LeBron James on this team and yet we still miraculously managed to push the series to 7 games.  Law of averages caught up with us tonight and LeBron had a very LeBron type of game.   If Pierce weren't battling a sprained MCL, this might be a little different, but injuries aren't really an excuse.  It is what it is.  LeBron was LeBron last night.   Reality is... the odds are in MIami's favor Saturday as well... and we will more than likely end up losing despite a hard-fought effort.  Be proud of what they accomplished... hope for the best... but don't be disappointed when we lose game 7 by 8-15 points.  Be happy we even got this far.

Don't know if I agree with this very much.
The reality is that even with our depleted roster, we are the superior team. If not for some of the worst officiating the NBA has seen in years in game 2, this series would be over and we'd be headed to the finals.

We are better because we have an inside scoring presence in KG and Miami really hasn't had an answer for the Rondo/KG tandem.
They are relying on two things: a 50-60 point contribution from their two studs, and above average three point shooting.

We were in tonight's game until the final 3 minutes of the 3rd quarter. We had hit 1 of 13 three point attempts up until that point and Pierce had 4 points. Lebron was chucking up threes and fade away baseline jumpshots with 20 seconds on the clock- complete garbage looks that were luckily for his sake, dropping.
This was an above average Lebron performance and the kind of thing you might see once every 3 years in the playoffs. I believe Wilt is the only other person with such a similar line before.

To think that he'll play the same in the next game is scary, but highly unlikely. He's Lebron James, a paint/interior scorer who effects the game with the triple threat of scoring, passing and defense. Not Kobe, not Durant, who make their money from mid range jumpshots.

The pressure is on the Heat as it was in game 6. They hit a lot of threes, but they also didn't get much input from anyone bar Lebron and he'll have to do the same to beat this group of Celtics who are figuring they're playing their last game together if they don't win.

I don't know if I agree with a lot of your disagreements.  Having KG is our major advantage in this series, but Bosh definitely made an impact.  Also... disagree that LeBron's performance was something you'd only see every 3 years in the playoffs.  That's nonsense.  He does this pretty frequently, actually.  When the media and public doubted him against Indiana he responded with a 40 point, 18 rebound 9 assists, 2 steal and 2 block game... which was certainly on a par with last night... and only a couple weeks ago.   It might not be LeBron that sinks us in Game 7.  Bron was just due to have  "LeBron Game" in this series.  MIght be Wade who sinks us... he's pretty darn due to have a "Wade Game"... kinda like the one he had two years ago (in our series against them) when he stole game 4 against us entirely by himself with a 46-5-5 performance.  Don't be shocked if and when it happens.  We're dealing with a very good team at home. 

[mctyson]

Nobody in the NBA was stopping Lebron last night.  He is 6'8" 270 pounds with 4.4 40-speed and probably a 35" vert...and he was hitting jumpers and fadeaways at an 80% clip.  Reggie Miller never shot like that.  It is like a pitcher throwing a no hitter: sometimes there is nothing you can do but say "he beat us."

The facts of this series haven't changed, just the circumstances.  We still just need one more win and have a great opportunity for it Saturday.

[chambers]

I think the reality of game 6 is that we never had anyone capable of stopping LeBron James on this team and yet we still miraculously managed to push the series to 7 games.  Law of averages caught up with us tonight and LeBron had a very LeBron type of game.   If Pierce weren't battling a sprained MCL, this might be a little different, but injuries aren't really an excuse.  It is what it is.  LeBron was LeBron last night.   Reality is... the odds are in MIami's favor Saturday as well... and we will more than likely end up losing despite a hard-fought effort.  Be proud of what they accomplished... hope for the best... but don't be disappointed when we lose game 7 by 8-15 points.  Be happy we even got this far.

Don't know if I agree with this very much.
The reality is that even with our depleted roster, we are the superior team. If not for some of the worst officiating the NBA has seen in years in game 2, this series would be over and we'd be headed to the finals.

We are better because we have an inside scoring presence in KG and Miami really hasn't had an answer for the Rondo/KG tandem.
They are relying on two things: a 50-60 point contribution from their two studs, and above average three point shooting.

We were in tonight's game until the final 3 minutes of the 3rd quarter. We had hit 1 of 13 three point attempts up until that point and Pierce had 4 points. Lebron was chucking up threes and fade away baseline jumpshots with 20 seconds on the clock- complete garbage looks that were luckily for his sake, dropping.
This was an above average Lebron performance and the kind of thing you might see once every 3 years in the playoffs. I believe Wilt is the only other person with such a similar line before.

To think that he'll play the same in the next game is scary, but highly unlikely. He's Lebron James, a paint/interior scorer who effects the game with the triple threat of scoring, passing and defense. Not Kobe, not Durant, who make their money from mid range jumpshots.

The pressure is on the Heat as it was in game 6. They hit a lot of threes, but they also didn't get much input from anyone bar Lebron and he'll have to do the same to beat this group of Celtics who are figuring they're playing their last game together if they don't win.

I don't know if I agree with a lot of your disagreements.  Having KG is our major advantage in this series, but Bosh definitely made an impact.  Also... disagree that LeBron's performance was something you'd only see every 3 years in the playoffs.  That's nonsense.  He does this pretty frequently, actually.  When the media and public doubted him against Indiana he responded with a 40 point, 18 rebound 9 assists, 2 steal and 2 block game... which was certainly on a par with last night... and only a couple weeks ago.   It might not be LeBron that sinks us in Game 7.  Bron was just due to have  "LeBron Game" in this series.  MIght be Wade who sinks us... he's pretty darn due to have a "Wade Game"... kinda like the one he had two years ago (in our series against them) when he stole game 4 against us entirely by himself with a 46-5-5 performance.  Don't be shocked if and when it happens.  We're dealing with a very good team at home. 

Lebron didn't score one three pointer against Indiana in that game, he didn't even shoot one. In fact he had two shots that were 10 feet or further.
Last night he made TWELVE of seventeen shots outside the key, including two of four three point attempts.
Take a look at the shot charts for each game.

Indiana game:
http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/shotchart?gameId=320520011

Celtics last night:
http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/shotchart?gameId=320607002

My Wilt comparison was a bad example. The amazing part about last night is that Lebron got such a stat line with outside shooting. I don't think Kobe or Durant or even Jordan have had a line with 18 rebounds AND 9 assists to go with their 40-50 points.
Lebrons one major weakness is his sub par shooting beyond 15 feet. He shoots barely 28% from three and although I don't have the stats on me, I'm sure he shoots quite poorly from outside 10 feet as well.

We walked into the perfect storm and although Lebron was hot, he scored and produced in a way that he normally doesn't, that being shots from outside 10 feet. We forced him to take low percentage shots for his range and he hit 12 out of 17 of them!

I very much doubt that he can do this again. You are right that Wade may do something similar, but again, if we continue to keep him out of the paint and keep him from getting easy looks from within 10 feet, they will struggle to beat us.
If he catches fire than so be it.
They have to hope Pierce and Ray Allen don't catch fire or that KG isn't hitting 65% from his elbow jumpshot on the pick and roll.

Can't wait. We are favorites and we are the better team.

[bfrombleacher]

Can't wait. We are favorites and we are the better team.

In my opinion, no and yes. The crowd jumped ship the moment we lost the game but we're still a better team.

[mctyson]

I think we have a great shot to win Game 7; nobody gave us much of a chance to win Game 5 but we did.

Having said that...if Pierce plays like he did last night we very may well get our doors blown off.

[slamtheking]

Bron had a career game -- hats off to the scumbag.

C's just did nothing well this game.  I expect a much better effort out of them next game.  I can't see them going to Miami and not giving it their all.  Unfortunately, I can't see Miami not doing the same.  Bron probably won't shoot that well again but Wade (and the rest of the team) probably won't shoot that poorly either.

C's need to play smart next game.  hustle on D, make FT's (if we get any), hit the boards (especially the defensive boards) and FOR GOD SAKES STOP TURNING THE BALL OVER.

[get_banners]

We won't win if we can't hit open shots. Granted, I think that won't happen, but yeah, there is no way we can beat Miami if we get good looks, but can't finish. That might be a "positive" to take from Game 6...we had plenty of good looks. I'm worried that Pierce's knee is hurting to the point that he can't shoot well, though. Because...yeah...he has been awful shooting the ball this whole series...and it's not just Lebron's defense. He's struggling even when he gets good looks.

[eugen]

Not only VS Lebron but Cs did not defence well Wade and Chalmers. Our efficiency was horrible. Miami had a 10 digit lead almost during all game after 5 minutes from the start

[Celtics18]

I think the reality of game 6 is that we never had anyone capable of stopping LeBron James on this team and yet we still miraculously managed to push the series to 7 games.  Law of averages caught up with us tonight and LeBron had a very LeBron type of game.   If Pierce weren't battling a sprained MCL, this might be a little different, but injuries aren't really an excuse.  It is what it is.  LeBron was LeBron last night.   Reality is... the odds are in MIami's favor Saturday as well... and we will more than likely end up losing despite a hard-fought effort.  Be proud of what they accomplished... hope for the best... but don't be disappointed when we lose game 7 by 8-15 points.  Be happy we even got this far.

I don't think that James did have a "very Lebron type of game."  The truth is that you game plan to have Lebron James take contested jump shots.  He took and made a lot of those in game six.  I don't think it's likely that he shoots like that again from the perimeter in game 7. 

I see a close game down the stretch.  In a game like that, I like our chances.  If Lebron James takes that team on his back again and leads them to victory, then I grudgingly tip my cap to him. 

"LET'S GO CELTICS!!!!!!"

[Celtics18]

Not only VS Lebron but Cs did not defence well Wade and Chalmers. Our efficiency was horrible. Miami had a 10 digit lead almost during all game after 5 minutes from the start

If they had a 10 digit lead, wouldn't that mean they were up by about a billion points?  It wasn't that[i bad.

[vinnie]

1. I despise Lebron, but don't see how anyone can criticize his game last night.

2. Paul pierce has had a horrendous series. If he does not wake up tomorrow night the Celts won win.

3. The Heat will be huge favorites tomorrow, which will make it sweeter if the Celts can win.

4. Celts are due for a good shooting night after two straight bad ones

5. Sadly, I think Heat win by 5-10 points

[alajet]

It's not a typical LeBron game. He is normally not consistent with that jumpers. That's the reason he isn't and he'll never be half the player MJ was.
He will definitely get his points somehow, but usually, the paint is his comfort zone, not a step inside the arc. Plan is simple and unchanged. Take Wade out of game somehow, and try to contain LeBron reasonably. It didn't work last night, but then again, we were hardly playing great just to be beaten by a single player. We didn't fight enough, but I believe that won't be the case next time.

[alajet]

Not only VS Lebron but Cs did not defence well Wade and Chalmers. Our efficiency was horrible. Miami had a 10 digit lead almost during all game after 5 minutes from the start

If they had a 10 digit lead, wouldn't that mean they were up by about a billion points?  It wasn't that[i bad.

Lol. TP to this.