Your Boston Celtics are in the East Finals
Thank you Jon Burkett for jumping on the game recap - read it here: Celtics survive the fury of LeBron James. Just a great victory and an epic game 7 experience with the big shoot-out between Paul Pierce and LeBron James - according to Elias, it’s the first time 2 opposing players have scored over 40 points in a game 7 since Sam Jones (47) and Oscar Robertson (43) did in Boston’s 142-131 win over the Cincinnati Royals in the 1963 Eastern Division Finals.
Keys to the game identified by Mike Gorman was winning the battle of the boards, which the Celtics did 39-29. That was super. Moreover, the Celtics only shot one less foul shot than the LeBrons, suggesting the officiating was nearly a non-factor.
Does Brown deliver, or what? Three for three in the 4th quarter with a key 21-footer with the Celtics only up by 1 with 1:20 to go, but just as importantly, grabbed 5 rebounds - 3 of them being on the offensive end, during the 4th.
And to address the Ray Allen slump, consider that Doc Rivers said that he is not concerned with Allen’s slump:
“I told Ray before the game, ‘What happens if you don’t take another shot in the entire playoffs and we win the world championship because they’re going to double you? You’re so valuable if that’s what they’re going to do because it’s going to open the floor for everybody else,’ ” Rivers said. “I thought Ray had no problem with it. He’s going to be better.”
A well-rested Detroit Piston’s team is up next on Tuesday, and odds are that if the Pistons are going to steal a game in Boston, it will be that Game 1. But more on that tomorrow . . .
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7 Responses to “Your Boston Celtics are in the East Finals”
May 18th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Thank you Bob for noticing! If I’m Doc, I approach Ray Allen about coming off the bench for the Pistons and I start Posey instead. What do you think?
May 19th, 2008 at 4:57 am
Ray Allen’s offense is missing, but a lot of that has been the lack of shots, and then apparently not getting any sort of rhythm. More often than not, Ray Allen has been doubled on the perimeter, and is getting a lot of attention, meaning the Cavs were inviting somebody other than Ray Allen to beat them.
In Game 7, he was 1-2 in the 1st half, and then took a 3, a layup and 2 jumpers and missed all of them in the 3rd quarter, and he was done except for those 2 free throws at the end. That’s not a lot of shots, but still, you expect Ray Allen to make them even if he takes a few.
But I don’t think that Doc will ever shake up the lineup like that unless they find themselves down 1-2 or 0-3 in game 4 in Detroit. Ray Allen in the starting line-up is what helped the C’s get the Home-Court Advantage, and you have to stick with that, unless Allen confesses about some ailment that he’s been hiding thus far (seems to be okay).
May 19th, 2008 at 11:14 am
[…] Comments from the Other Side - Cavs game 7 Celtics move on to conference finals Celtics 17 Your Boston Celtics are in the East finals NBA.com Celtics survive LeBron and move on Game 7 live blog Celtics and Pistons to battle for the […]
May 19th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
The C’s in the Eastern Conference finals WITHOUT Ray Allen’s contribution. Who would have thought that possible? If RA had his stroke, the C’s would have won the first 2 series in 6 games.
If RA starts to find his stroke, which I believe he will, the C’s take the Piston’s in 6 or 7 with a road game win. If he doesn’t find his stroke, I’m not sure the C’s can beat Detroit.
But it sure does make for a fun run right doesn’t it?
R
May 19th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Being in the playoffs has been a new found joy for many Celtics fans - much better than twiddling the thumbs for the lottery on Tuesday night
May 19th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
The Celtics certainly appear to be a much stronger team with Pierce at the #2 and Posey at the #3. Ray Allen does handle the ball well but gives you nothing on rebounds and assists. He is active and perhaps his legs are shot after leading the C’s in minutes but at this stage he has been a drag on the team. There is no way he should be receiving the minutes he has been getting. I say start him and if he can’t get it going bring in Posey or give Tony Allen another look. By the way, what double teams?
May 19th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
It’s Pierce they need to double team. When KG gets going, he commands a double. But I agree with Joe Loudmouth here. Why double Ray Allen? He can occupy a perimeter defender, but at this point, he doesn’t scare me.
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