C's Look to Regain Control

by CelticBalla32 on May 14, 2008 1:07 PM EDT in Boston Celtics Games

Round 2, Game 5
Wednesday, May 14
8:00 PM ET
TV: TNT
TD BankNorth Garden

Chat l Game Thread

Here we are, heading into Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, winless on the road. Both Boston and Cleveland did their job of taking care of their home court throughout the first four games, knotting this series at 2-2. It is virtually a three-game series at this point, with two of those games (should this series go seven) in Boston.

Every playoff game is a must-win, but tonight’s game is absolutely the most important of the season for the Celtics. Should they allow Cleveland to steal tonight’s game at the TD BankNorth Garden, they would head into Cleveland for Game 6 with the possibility of elimination dawning upon them. That is not the situation the Celtics need to be in, as they, along with every other second-round team not named the Detroit Pistons, are winless on the road in the Semi-Finals.

Let’s go, boys.

Read More After the Jump

Projected Starters

C Zydrunas Ilgauskas / Kendrick Perkins
PF Ben Wallace / Kevin Garnett
SF LeBron James / Paul Pierce
SG Wally Szczerbiak / Ray Allen
PG Delonte West / Rajon Rondo

Key Matchup: LeBron James vs. Paul Pierce

It’s a legitimate concern for a Celtics fan to be cautious about LeBron James, for the simple fact that this series is tied and he has yet to go off. James is due, and the Paul Pierce and company need to make sure they don’t allow him to single-handedly steal this game from them.

Celtics X-Factor: James Posey

As previously mentioned, the Celtics need to make sure LeBron doesn’t take over this game. One of the guys individually responsible for defending "King James" is James Posey, who has done a respectable job throughout the series. Let’s hope he can keep it up.

Injury Report
CLE – Eric Snow (sore left knee – out for season)
BOS – Scot Pollard (torn tendon in left ankle – out for season)

Celtics Keys to the Game

Defensive Rotations
Rebounding
Attack
Sense of Urgency
Ball Control

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Please more Posey, less Sam.

by ShakersJacobson on May 14, 2008 2:30 PM EDT reply actions

I’m leaving work early to mentally prepare for the game. We need 100% focus tonight, even from us fans. I want to hear you guys (and gals) screaming as loud as you can in the Garden tonight. We need to get this win. Don’t let a few baskets from the Cavs get you down, be LOUD tonight!

Let’s Go Celtics!

by IowaGuy on May 14, 2008 2:30 PM EDT reply actions