C's Eye Series Lead In Game 5

by CelticBalla32 on May 28, 2008 11:43 AM EDT in Boston Celtics Games

Eastern Conference Finals, Game 5
Wednesday, May 28
8:30 PM ET
TV: ESPN
TD BankNorth Garden

Chat l Game Thread

After an unsatisfactory showing in Game 4, the Celtics will look to take care of business on their home floor tonight, as the series shifts back to the TD BankNorth Garden tied up at 2-2.

Game 4 may not have gone as planned, but let’s not get too greedy, here. Expecting the Celtics to win back-to-back road games was a bit out of the question. At the end of the day, they got the monkey off their back in Game 3 and this series is exactly where everybody thought it would be at this point: 2-2.

Tonight’s Game 5 is a must-win if I’ve ever seen one. The Celtics don’t want to put themselves in a position where they are down 3-2, facing elimination on the road. That’s not where they want to be. The green need to come out with fire in Game 5, play every possession like it’s their last, and take care of business at home.

CELTICS! Hoorah! CELTICS! Hoorah! CELTICS! Hoorah! One, two, three, UBUNTU.

Projected Starters

C Rasheed Wallace / Kendrick Perkins
PF Antonio McDyess / Kevin Garnett
SF Tayshaun Prince / Paul Pierce
SG Rip Hamilton / Ray Allen
PG Chauncey Billups / Rajon Rondo

Key Matchup: Tayshaun Prince vs. Paul Pierce

Pierce shot just 7-20 from the field in both Games 3 and 4 combined. Expect the captain to come out with more oomph and some additional offensive aggression in Game 5. On the other end, Tayshaun Prince is just about due for a big offensive outing himself. Through the first four games of this series, Prince has shot a gruesome 31.5% (17-54); you’ve got to expect him to break out of his shell at some point, right?.

Celtics X-Factor: Sense of Urgency

Initial sentiments restated: The Celtics don’t want to put themselves in a position where they are down 3-2, facing elimination on the road. That’s not where they want to be. The green need to come out with fire in Game 5, play every possession like it’s their last, and take care of business at home.

Injury Report
BOS – Scot Pollard (torn tendon in left ankle – out for season)

Celtics Keys to the Game

Sense of Urgency
Defensive Rotations
Rebounding
Attack
Ray Allen
Ball Movement
Ball Control
Bench Play

Yeah, basically everything. Go get 'em, green.

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Comments

One game at at time… that’s all we have to keep telling ourselves….

Of the 4 teams, the Celtics have the least experience come playoffs. The Lakers have Kobe with a Championship Ring, the Spurs and Pistons have also won.

It will take time… one game at a time….. that’s all

by Ancient Red on May 28, 2008 11:52 AM EDT reply actions

Nice Ancient Red, one game at a time is my signature so you know we are very much in agreement. UBUNTU!!

by X Man on May 28, 2008 2:01 PM EDT reply actions

We need to take care of business at home. As always it starts with defense. The crowd will be ready. Celtics 91 Piston 79.

by celticben on May 28, 2008 3:30 PM EDT reply actions

I like Pierce’s point. It’s there. Just take it. These opportunities don’t just show up at your doorstep every year. You have to go out and get it.

by LuckyNumber07 on May 28, 2008 4:04 PM EDT reply actions

The Cs simply need to go out and play HARD. They need to play an up tempo game. That starts with getting stops on defense, making the outlet pass and hustling down the court. It would also help if Rondo would harass Billups in the back court and try to wear his hammy down.

by Greg37 on May 28, 2008 4:07 PM EDT reply actions

I would like to see Leon Powe match up with Maxiel – energy and strength. I would like to see Tony Allen playing D on Rip/Chauncy without getting up faked. And please Hoop God, give Ray back his stroke.
See if anyone dives on the floor in the first quarter. That’s probably who will win.

by Wildblu1 on May 28, 2008 5:26 PM EDT reply actions