All Or Nothing - Game 7

by CelticBalla32 on May 4, 2008 9:33 AM EDT in Boston Celtics Games

Round 1, Game 7
Sunday, May 4
1:00 PM ET
TV: ABC
TD BankNorth Garden

Chat l Game Thread

Two weeks ago, if you were to tell a group of people that the Hawks were going to take Boston to Game 7, you’d have been laughed at. If you were to say that Atlanta would beat the Celtics three straight times in close road games, you’d have been called crazy. Yet here we are on May 4, 2008 – approaching the tip of Game 7. The unthinkable has occurred, and desperation time is upon us.

This is Game 7. The series, season, and hopes of reaching the ultimate goal is on the line. Reputations are on the line. Jobs are potentially on the line. The Celtics need to come out with a sense of urgency and play attack basketball on both ends of the floor. In doing so, the C’s also have to keep their composure and make sure they remain under control. This is where this team’s mental toughness will be tested to the fullest.

There aren’t any additional chances for redemption. It’s win or go home. Don’t let us down, green.

Projected Starters

C Al Horford / Kendrick Perkins
PF Josh Smith / Kevin Garnett
SF Josh Childress / Paul Pierce
SG Joe Johnson / Ray Allen
PG Mike Bibby / Rajon Rondo

Key Matchup: All of Them

This is Game 7 – no let-downs. No exploitations. Each matchup is as important as the next one in this setting. The Celtics need to cut off Atlanta’s penetration, close out on shooters, rebound the ball, minimize their fast break production, and attack offensively. No more games. Get it done.

Celtics X-Factor: Sense of Urgency

Once again, this is Game 7. No more dilly-dallying. No more passive-aggressiveness. No more shying away. No more breaking rotations. No more lack of execution. It’s time to play Boston Celtics basketball and bring the sense of urgency necessary to win this game; the same sense of urgency Atlanta has been playing with at Phillips Arena. More importantly, they need to maintain that sense of urgency for 48 minutes. From Kevin Garnett to Rajon Rondo to P.J. Brown, everybody needs to play this game like it’s their last.

Injury Report
ATL – Marvin Williams (sore knee – doubtful)
ATL – Speedy Claxton (left knee – out for season)
BOS – Scot Pollard (torn tendon in left ankle – out for season)

Celtics Keys to the Game

"Run Your Stuff"
Ball Control, Execution
Defense
Contain Atlanta’s Offensive Glass
Keep Composure
Match/Exceed Atlanta’s Intensity
48-Minute Energy

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Comments

I can’t beleive it has come to this. Wow.

by cocofan on May 4, 2008 10:59 AM EDT reply actions

The Celtics will continue to protect home court and as long as they can keep doing that all will be fine. A road win would be nice though.

by TheGreenLife on May 4, 2008 11:05 AM EDT reply actions

Good job on the preview CB32. I agree, every matchup in this game is key. Defense and rebounding will be the difference. If we play our defense and crash the boards, we will win it. I can’t express how nervous I am right now. After all the years of saying “Wait until next year,” next year was finally here. I don’t want to have to wait until next year any more!!! They HAVE to win this!!!

by FLCeltsFan @ CelticsBlog on May 4, 2008 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

The Hawks have a link on their website to sign up for Round 2 tickets already. That is a bit premature unless the refs have told them something the Celtics don’t know yet. This reminds me of 1969 when the Celtics were an aging team that struggled somewhat during the regular season. They made it to the finals against the Lakers who were overwhelmingly favored to win the title. The Lakers figured that it was a done deal with game seven in their building. Bill Russell found a program detailing the Lakers planned celebration, including lots of balloons suspended by nets from the ceiling to be released after the certain victory. The champaign was opened and ready. Russell passed this information on to his teammates, who were all offended by the Lakers presuming that they would win the game without question. The Celtics proceeded to win the game and the championship. Someone moved the champaign to the visitors locker room and at least it didn’t go to waste. So, the Hawks are taking reservations for Round 2 tickets. Let’s hope this version of the Celtics react in the same way.

by FLCeltsFan @ CelticsBlog on May 4, 2008 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

I’m not overconfident.
Been there done that with the Patriots.
Lesson learned.

by mcpu40 on May 4, 2008 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

good title

by Jeff Clark on May 4, 2008 12:04 PM EDT reply actions

Jeff,

On your Celtics Blog “Who is to blame”

You forgot to put “All of the Above”

LOL

by Ancient Red on May 4, 2008 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

just got this update from CSN

12:00 Drive for 17:Game 7 Preview presented by Mohegan Sun
12:30 GMC Pregame Live
NE Ford Dealers Postgame Live immediately following the game

All hands on deck for our coverage today (Mike, Tommy and Greg at the Garden; Gary Donny in-studio)

by Jeff Clark on May 4, 2008 12:07 PM EDT reply actions

Beautiful. Thanks Jeff. Thank God I don’t have to listen to ABC, who probably has Mike Breen on hand saying “Puts it in!” every other second.

by CelticBalla32 on May 4, 2008 12:24 PM EDT reply actions

None of us can believe that it’s come this far, but it has and us and more importantly the team need to get over that fact and go get a W today.

by ma11l on May 4, 2008 12:35 PM EDT reply actions

FLCeltsFan said:[/b]

I can’t express how nervous I am right now. After all the years of saying “Wait until next year,” next year was finally here. I don’t want to have to wait until next year any more!!! They HAVE to win this!!!

Amen FCF , that sums it up for me too .

CELTICS

YAAAAAAAAAA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by JS33 on May 4, 2008 12:50 PM EDT reply actions