C's Seek First Playoff Road Win
by CelticBalla32 on May 12, 2008 12:03 PM EDT
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@ 
1Monday, May 12
8:00 PM ET
TV: TNT
Quicken Loans Arena
In Game 3, the Celtics fell due to their mentality, which was settling rather than attacking, and Cleveland’s adjustments. Cleveland’s biggest adjustment was to attack the weak side when the Celtics loaded up ball-side on LeBron. James’ court vision picked apart the open seems in Boston’s sets, and got his teammates multiple open or one-on-one looks. LeBron himself shot just five of 16 from the floor, but the C’s failed to pay enough attention to the Cavalier role players.
If the Celtics want to silence the doubters, a Game 4 win tonight would work wonders. Should that transpire, the Celtics would hold a 3-1 series advantage and head back home to Boston, where they have yet to lose in the postseason, for a potential close-out Game 5. You’ve got to like the sound of that. It may be cliché to call a playoff game a "must-win," as all of them are, but let’s hope the green can get their act together on the road and avoid the type of offensive outing LeBron is virtually due for.
Read More After the Jump
Projected Starters
C Kendrick Perkins / Zydrunas Ilgauskas
PF Kevin Garnett / Ben Wallace
SF Paul Pierce / LeBron James
SG Ray Allen / Wally Szczerbiak
PG Rajon Rondo / Delonte West
Key Matchup: Paul Pierce vs. LeBron James
Once again, the focal point is LeBron James. Pierce has done a marvelous job on the defensive end throughout the series, with a little assistance from the help defenders and James Posey, and has absolutely taken James out of his offensive groove. As previously mentioned, it seems as if he is due for an offensive outburst; Pierce and company need to make sure they continue to keep him in check, but at the same time not completely forget about his supporting cast.
Celtics X-Factor: Rajon Rondo
Rajon Rondo of the last two games is not the Rajon Rondo we all know and love. The Rondo that we all know and love is fierce, creates, and plays heady basketball. Over the past two games, he has been anything but that, as he has played one-on-one ball rather than improvising and making smart plays. Tonight in Game 4, it’s time for Rondo to get back into his groove and start playing the kind of ball that the C’s need him to play. It also wouldn’t hurt if Ray Allen joins him on that notion.
Injury Report
BOS – Scot Pollard (torn tendon in left ankle – out for season)
CLE – Eric Snow (sore left knee – out for season)
Celtics Keys to the Game
- Defensive Rotations
- Attack, Don’t Settle
- Sense of Urgency
- Rebounding
- Ball Control
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It’s not letting me edit the Read More link on the administrative panel, so if someone could fix that, that’d be great. When I try to do it, it asks for me to log in again. I do, and then it brings me to the administrator home. I x’d out that window and tried to edit the link again, and the pop-up window was completely white.
by CelticBalla32 on May 12, 2008 12:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think “attack” is the key point in your key points cbaaaaaalla. I will watch tonight “live”. Like PP said a few games ago….quit thinking and just play.
by Master Po on May 12, 2008 12:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Here are my keys to the game:
Playing relaxed and business like on both ends of the floor.
Don’t force shots and when taking shoots – sink them. Missed outside shots tend to lead to long rebounds and long rebounds lead to fast(er) breaks and easier shots. Easier shots lead to more points and more points lead to frustration.
Don’t get frustrated, Reduce the emotion, especially when the other team goes on a small run. No need for forced passes and ticky-tack fouls.
by SShoreFan on May 12, 2008 1:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know what else to say…I ‘want’ them to win, we all do.
But the way things are going, I sense another disappointing evening is in store.
Lakers go up 2-0 in their series, now look.
New Orleans goes up 2-0 i their series, now look.
It’s a trend, and it stinks.
They’re talking about that very trend on Full Court Press on Sirius radio today.
by mcpu40 on May 12, 2008 2:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m really going to lay the blame on Doc for this. While the Cs have managed to keep focus at home they’ve completely lost it on the road. Obviously. What I think has happened is the Cs played so well and intensely in the regular season, they forgot that the post season really is a second season and you need renewed focus, drive and motivation. You have to have a higher gear to play in the playoffss. The coach is the one responsible for getting this into his players’ heads and so far Doc has dropped the ball. Perhaps this is due to inexperience or just plain bad coaching. Man I wish we had Larry Brown.
by The Real Large James on May 12, 2008 2:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m not sure it’s Docs fault, at least not entirely.
Ubuntu would dictate something like win as a team, lose as a team.
Doc’s not suiting up, though he is making critical decisions.
It’s a sad state of affairs…
…and it worries me that if they go to seven in this series whilst Detroit can close theirs out in 5, that Boston’s chances of beating a more rested Pistons squad will grow dim…even with their home court advantage.
by mcpu40 on May 12, 2008 2:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree with Real Large…Doc’s shooting is way down on the road, he’s slow on weak-side help and his offensive boards are way off..we should bench him..Tonight’s game is a statement game, let’s hope that it is a positve one..btw.. nice setup CelticBalla32 !!
by Fastbreak on May 12, 2008 2:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Let’s just say if we don’t make it past Detroit, let alone the Cavs, we’ll see where we’re at with Doc, Fastbreak. Another way of putting this, who would you rather have, Doc or maybe Larry Brown, Phil Jackson, etc…? You can’t tell me that Doc is even a high second tier coach. If Danny hadn’t hired Thibodeau, Doc would be even more exposed.
by The Real Large James on May 12, 2008 3:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Larry Brown is elderly, and not equipped to coach the Celtics.
Phil Jackson as well.
Doc is the right coach for this team.
He’s gotten their trust and we all better get used to Doc, because he’s not going anywhere.
Greatest turnaround in NBA history.
Blowout wins at home in the playoffs.
They win tonight, and he’ll be in all our good graces.
As said before, Doc can take some of the blame…but he’s not the one setting picks.
by mcpu40 on May 12, 2008 3:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
what does Large James know – he is a closet Laker Fan :D
by Master Po on May 12, 2008 5:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If Doc had a bunch of veterans who had won championships, then his cheerleading style would be fine, ala K.C. Jones. However, in their own words, this team hasn’t won anything yet so I’d like to see a more A-list coach working this group of seasoned vets who have never won a championship. Po, that’s grounds for slander.
by The Real Large James on May 12, 2008 5:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
BTW, Larry Brown could probably kick our collective behinds in a street fight even at his age.
by The Real Large James on May 12, 2008 5:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Guys, it isn’t Docs fault. It isn’t Danny’s fault. If there’s one thing I’ve learned reading Celticsblog over the years, it is David Stern and Joey Crawford’s fault.
by Thruthelookingglass on May 12, 2008 5:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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