2008 Playoffs East Semis: (1) Celtics Vs. (4) Cavs

[shadowgrin]

when lebron gets going we are gonna have a hard time winning

And that's just LeBron. If it's Kobe that gets going, the Celts are doomed.

[Axel]

The Cavs are going to have a fighting chance at winning this series if Doc Rivers has anything to say about it.

I think he's determined to let Rondo single handedly destroy the C's chances of winning. Rondo was a huge offensive liability. Why didn't he bring in Eddie House to stretch out the defense???

[Matt]

because Eddie House can't handle the ball under pressure.

Delonte West played a near perfect game. Really patient on offense and he made good things happen. Played good D too.

LBJ couldn't shoot once again but all other aspects of his game were excellent.

[Andrew]

The Celtics didn't make it much of a game, the Cavs had it wrapped up after the first quarter (though I suppose that's easy to say in hindsight). The Big Three need to re-establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with, particularly Ray Allen who's shooting 30% from the field and 9% from downtime through the first three games. Not to take anything away from Delonte West or the rest of the Cavs but Boston didn't offer much resistance.

LeBron's block had to be one of the plays of the game, though it did come awfully close to goaltending.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr0pakTk4qQ[/youtube]

[Sauru]

the celts need to win tonight, if they go back to boston tied up i think they are gonna start getting the wrong shit in thier head. this not be able to win on the road is getting sick

[Matthew]

Do you think Lebron can get a win in Boston? I have my doubts.

[Sauru]

Do you think Lebron can get a win in Boston? I have my doubts.

at this point i dont think it matters, if the celtics cant win on the road someone will eventually beat them at home and the celts will fall short of thier ultimate goal. it is getting ridiculous

[Matthew]

Well, to be fair, the Celtics are getting closer to winning on the road then they are to losing at home.

[Martti.]

The Celtics are lucky to have home court advantage.. This series may go to seven games too. If Lebron brings his A-game to Boston in game five, we may see the Celtics dropping out after 6.

If he continues his 19% shooting in the TD Banknorth Garden, the Celtics are safe.

[Matthew]

I think the Celtics kind of earned home court.

[Andrew]

at this point i dont think it matters, if the celtics cant win on the road someone will eventually beat them at home and the celts will fall short of thier ultimate goal. it is getting ridiculous

I agree with Matthew here, the Celtics will likely win a road game before they lose a home game. Besides, if not for the debacle in the first round there wouldn't be as much attention given to the Cavaliers tying the series as only the Pistons have won a road game in the second round so far this year.

[MANIPON]

The Celtics will then again win in an elimination game seven.

[Axel]

because Eddie House can't handle the ball under pressure.

Delonte West played a near perfect game. Really patient on offense and he made good things happen. Played good D too.

LBJ couldn't shoot once again but all other aspects of his game were excellent.

He doesn't have to. Pierce and Allen can handle the ball and create plays. As well, it's not like the Cavs have one lock-down defender. They play good team defense, but it's not like a Bruce Bowen type player will be forcing him into turnovers. All he needs to do is shoot.

[Kbryant8]

Go Boston

[Sauru]

at this point i dont think it matters, if the celtics cant win on the road someone will eventually beat them at home and the celts will fall short of thier ultimate goal. it is getting ridiculous

I agree with Matthew here, the Celtics will likely win a road game before they lose a home game. Besides, if not for the debacle in the first round there wouldn't be as much attention given to the Cavaliers tying the series as only the Pistons have won a road game in the second round so far this year.

my point is, eventually someone will beat them at home, be it this round, next, or the finals. they need to win on the road

[Andrew]

True, even though they could technically win it all without claiming a single road victory that's hardly a good approach. I just think they'll break out of their slump on the road before they give up a win at home, perhaps as soon as soon as Game 6.

[Matt]

It's hard to imagine a team winning 4 straight elimination games...especially if they have to do it against Cavs (possibly), Detroit, Hornets/Lakers/Jazz/Spurs. So yeah, they'll need to start winning roadies.

[Matthew]

And other teams have to start to beat Boston at home.

[Sauru]

well that brings me back to my question in the questions thread, whats the most amount of games played in the playoffs by the eventual nba champion

[Andrew]

I'm not sure but Wilbon mentioned on PTI that the fewest postseason road wins for an NBA champion is three.

[Matthew]

And Michael Wilbon has never ever been wrong

[Andrew]

It could be wrong, I didn't look into it any further than that. Ben did look it up and the Lakers were 3-7 on the road in the 1988 playoffs so there has been a champion that has won as a few as three road games during the course of the postseason.

[Sauru]

i have now lost all faith in the celtics and i personally feel they wont win game 7

[Drex]

There's no way they're losing in Boston. I get the feeling that one of the refs' head will explode.

[Matthew]

That charge call on Pierce was one of the worst calls I've ever seen.