Update: Down 3-1, Do You Believe?

[Phantom255x]

I'm usually an optimistic person as many may know here, but I also tend to be realistic.

Last night was awful to watch (the refs + our lackluster play especially in the 2nd half) and now it's pretty clear Milwaukee has regained all the momentum in the series. In a way, I think that was our season last night and it sucked that we didn't play with much urgency (we HAD to protect homecourt). We could win our remaining home games in this series at best case scenario, but while we stole 1 at MIL, I highly doubt we'll be able to take another.

I slept on it and woke up still feeling a bit bad about how Game 3 went. With that said, I also remember even the Red Sox and Patriots dealing with adversity in their recent seasons/playoffs and how they had to battle back in some situations to win it all (Sox played pivotal Game 3s on the road with series tied 1-1; Patriots many thought would go one-and-done or if not, they'd have no chance on the road @KC).

And going to the gym with my dad this morning, he reminded me this will still be a long series and to keep the faith. Nothing's easy in the playoffs and we're down 2-1, not 3-0 or 3-1 currently. He's staying optimistic about our chances, so I will too.

I don't know if the C's come back to win this series, but I refuse to believe they'll just pack it in. The last few games, we've looked like the regular season C's, but I still expect they'll certainly fight to the end and give it their all. I want to believe, but obviously Game 4 is now a must-win. Game 3 was too, but now it's clearly Game 4 and we got to take it one game at a time. The goal in front of us is tying this at 2-2 going into Game 5 at Milwaukee.

So how do you guys feel? You believe? Or is it basically time to think about the summer and offseason plans?

On a side note: I honestly hate how we had two days off between Games 2 and 3 and now have ANOTHER two days off between games. I feel in general it messes up the rhythm of a series for the teams and makes it feel endless...

[CelticsElite]

The Celtics have the depth and experience to take this to 7

Lets do it

[hpantazo]

The Celtics have the depth and experience to take this to 7

Lets do it

They have the depth, talent, and experience to win this in 7. The big question is, do they have the poise, maturity, and cohesiveness to do it?

[Chris22]

Going small never works.

Start Baynes and play Williams.

[PhoSita]

No. The bucks are better.  They are a machine and the Celts lack the firepower and the discipline to break that machine.

[gouki88]

Going small never works.

Start Baynes and play Williams.

Williams is definitely not the answer

[KGs Knee]

Of course, Boston still has a chance.  In fact, I'm guessing now that everyone is once again off the bandwagon, the chip will return to their shoulder and they'll take game 4.  This team seems to only be able to get motivated to play a full 48 when they feel like they're being disrespected.

This has disappointingly been a trend with all of the Stevens coached teams.  As long as they're the underdog they play hard.  As soon as they get some good press, they act entitled.  It's yet one more glaring flaw on Stevens resume, and reason #1527 why I want his butt sent packing after the season.  This team could be so much more if Stevens wasn't getting in the way and making his guys have to win in spite of him.

[Who]

Boston in 7. It was always going to be a tough close series.

[nickagneta]

Never stopped believing. No reason to stop believing.

[gouki88]

I voted Boston in 7. I'm trying my best to remain hopeful, and I believe that the league will try and force this series to go to 7, lol.

I want to have faith in Stevens and his men, so I'm forcing myself to

[ozgod]

I said Boston in 6. So as far as I'm concerned we have Milwaukee right where we want them 

I didn't overreact to the Game 1 win, I'm not going to overreact to the Game 2 and 3 loss. The Bucks are a good team and they responded. Teams that are still playing at this point, it's because they're good, or they are playing well. There's ups and downs in every series. It's our turn to respond now.

If you deconstruct the two losses, they really came about from an inability to stop 2 runs, both in the 3rd quarter, in Game 2 a 24-2 run that started with 7 min to go, and in Game 3 a 12-2 run that started with 4 min to go. In both cases we took ill-advised long range shots that missed, we didn't get back quickly enough and the Bucks made us pay in transition. Then in the 4th last night it looked like they got frustrated with the refereeing and stopped competing. It's ok for fans to get upset, that's what fans do. But players have to block that Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. out, they can't let those things affect the way they play. Moan about the refereeing after the game, but during the game you have to remain focused and I don't think they were. If Giannis shoots 40 free throws so be it, they can't let that get to them. They have to accept that they won't roll this team over, it's going to be a grindy kind of game which to be honest should suit us.

But I still think they can turn it around. They're so anxious to do well, to advance, that they're forgetting to do the things that helped them win game 1 - loading the paint against Giannis, closing out quickly to shooters, not overhelping, and not letting poor offense affect their defense. Run Kyrie/Al pick and roll more. Move the ball more. Be in the right spots for passes. They shot the ball well in Game 1 but because they didn't shoot the ball well in Games 2 and 3 they let it seep into their defense. How else can you explain George Hill scoring 11 points in the 3rd, including 9 in the last 3 minutes that basically put the game out of reach for us? Or Connaughton scoring 14.

In any case I'm excited to see how they respond. Will they become the team we thought they would be, that they've shown glimpses of? Or will they be a bust, necessitating changes in the off season? We'll find out in the next week.

[IDreamCeltics]

The Celtics have the depth and experience to take this to 7

Lets do it

They have the depth, talent, and experience to win this in 7. The big question is, do they have the poise, maturity, and cohesiveness to do it?

Maturity and cohesiveness have been their trademarks all season long. 

[GreenFaith1819]

Sure do...

Series starts MONDAY.

[manl_lui]

yes! let's get it!

[Rakulp]

Of course I believe...a couple more shots going in, a couple less trips to the freak throw line and that game could have been ours.

Don't lighten up fans...TIGHTEN up!  Hell is coming and it's wearing green!