It is all tied up at two wins apiece. Game five has always been considered the pivotal game in a close series like this one.
Tonight’s is no different. Can the Celtics lose this one and come back to win two in a row? They can, but the likelihood of that shrinks with the decimated frontline of the Celtics and erratic play of Paul Pierce.
One thing working in Boston’s favor is an injury…to Ben Gordon’s hamstring. He was called out on national TV by Mark Jackson for not fighting through picks, and now we may know why. Gordon is listed as day-to-day, but he says he is playing tonight.
Gordon’s defense has never been great, but it isn’t nearly as bad as some would have you believe. Remember those great defensive teams with Skiles? Well, Ben Gordon played on those those, as well.
Certainly, his current injury could be something that the Celtics exploit.
Of more concern is Paul Pierce. Is he hurt and keeping it quiet? Or is he just not playing smart? I lean toward the first possibility.
And Paul will get the calls here that he should have received in the last game. Rondo could use more rest. His defense was un-Rondo-like late in the last game. What happened to the great offensive combo of Stephon Marbury and Eddie House? They a need chance to show something, though I understand the problem the Celtics will have with Rose during those minutes.
The Celtics need a big game out of Big Baby – Glen Davis. You have the stage, big guy. Show them what you can do out there. Play solid defense and hit those shots that were just missing in the last game. Show Tyrus Thomas who the better player is.
Kendrick Perkins needs to stay on the floor. Doc has called out the officials on Perkin’s moving picks, admitting that Perkins moves, but pointing out Bull’s counterpart, Brad Miller’s similar transgressions. I guess Brad Miller will foul out with Kendrick now. Oh wait, they both fouled out last game anyway.
It has been mentioned that Kendrick should make nice with the refs a bit as well. I have to admit that KP is a player that never fouls – in his own mind. His interior defense is critical to the Celtics’s chances of winning.
I’m sure that the Celtics feel that they were within a few foul shots of sweeping the Bulls. Tonight would be the right time to show who the better team is.
It has been a terrific series to watch with an overtime game, a double overtime game, and multiple clutch shots and astounding performances. More so for Bulls fans, but still. There is tremendous basketball being played out there.
Rajon Rondo officially joined the Big Four in this playoff series in my humble opinion. Welcome to the club. I hesitate to use the term lightly, but if you can say that “some gave all” Rondo would fit. He is largely carrying this team with a near triple double every game. The kid looks like Jason Kidd in that department, and plays better defense.
Ray Allen almost invoked God-like status with his clutch shooting in this series and even in the last game, only to find out that he is, in fact, a mortal.
All-in-all, the Celtics have not made excuses for all the injuries and lack of their defensive backbone, Kevin Garnett, and have played some terrific basketball. They made the mistake of letting the Bulls think they could play with them in the opening game. Like last year, against the young, talented Hawks, they now have to deal with that event.
I expect an excellent, well played game tonight out of the defending NBA champions this evening. Hopefully, they can stop the Bulls from doing the same.
