ECF: P3 | (2) Boston Celtics vs (4) Cleveland Cavaliers | BOS 3-2

[bb22]

Wonder what kind of officiating we get in game 5. Could be looking at a very physical game, compensating for that overzealous officiating in game 4. OR they could continue to call it tight in order to prevent any incidents. I don't mind the calls because I think it ultimately favors the team with more talent and experience, but it destroys momentum.

[Warchant]

Is Kyrie suiting up? Nope...Bost had very little chance to advance w/out him.....if he was playing Bost wins this series no doubt

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

Celtics have the chance to really make things difficult for the Lebrons and failed miserably games 3 or 4. Celtics do have a good home record but I have seen Lebron pants them too many times since 2011.

Celtics gave the Cavs life and it will cost them the series.

[Celts17Pride]

Picked Celtics in 7 before the series. Still have the Celtics in 7.

[Stillwater]

As good as Boston is at home,at this point I don't see them winning more than 1 of 3. If Boston wins tomorrow Cavs in 7, if Cavs win tomorrow Cavs in 6.

You should've just wrote: "I'm a Cavs fan"

and you should have just accepted the reality of your imminent demise, but you are a Boston fan with a couple of really great seasons to look forward to starting next season

[Stillwater]

I feel like the Celtics are playing with house money at this stage, so I'd be ecstatic with a 7 game series with close games for the last 3 regardless of who wins.

I'm just tired of 20-30 point games that are never competitive. If we can magically end up with 2 great 3 game series in both Conferences that both end with exciting game 7's I'll be pleasantly surprised.

If the Cavs win game 5 they'll take the series. If the C's take game 5, it'll come down to game 7 to determine it and I think the Cavs will need an unsung hero to carry them through even if LeBron goes off (I'm talking a 20+ point game from Korver or JR or TT putting up a 15/15 double double).

The thing I'm most worried about is the Cavs now being in a rhythm. Guys like JR can get hot and stay hot regardless of whether they're home or away sometimes and that could be the death knell for Boston who need to try to make LeBron single handedly beat them.

I agree Boston was playing with House $ in the first 2 games and as a young team fed off the freedom. Not sure anyone in Boston should really anticipate the same going forward. Obviously you would want to be optimistic.
That being said, if Boston wins game 5 I don't think it will be because they are playing with House $ anymore, but because they played a much better game than they have thus far, and the Cavs didn't execute the same level of defense as games 3,4, hence the better game by Boston.
Most of the people I talk to that are not fans of either roster feel the same, but I am sure on these boards being a Cavs fan negates any likely reason regarding this stance in response to it.

[Larry Legend 33]

C's in 7. Both teams looked horrendous on the road, don't know why Boston is getting so much flack for it when we play 2 of the remaining 3 at home. We're not the one who has to win away.

[ItsMyPotPie]

I don't know how Cleveland has the momentum though. Last game's first quarter was the reason celtics lost. They're at home and I don't see them going down double digit in the first quarter. Not that I'm saying celtics are surely winning this game(hoping for it but I'm not betting against lebron) but the game would be closely contested all 4 quarters

[Triple M]

I was really surprised by the amount of energy Korver and to a lesser degree JR were able to expend in games 3 and 4. However, the longer the series goes i think i like the Celtics youth to maintain a advantage considering there is no longer any 2-3 day rest in between games. If the Celtics win tonight i think they have to win in 6 because you can't give LeBron the chance to end your playoffs.

[LBJKB24MJ23]

must win for Boston. they play like garbage on the road. home cooking is where its at.

[loveandbeer]

Winner of game 5 wins the series?

[Cavsfansince84]

I don't know how Cleveland has the momentum though. Last game's first quarter was the reason celtics lost. They're at home and I don't see them going down double digit in the first quarter. Not that I'm saying celtics are surely winning this game(hoping for it but I'm not betting against lebron) but the game would be closely contested all 4 quarters

Surely if momentum exists in the nba its on the Cavs' side at the moment. Having said that, I expect game 5 to be very close but the Celtics have some adjustments to make and may just be mentally worn down at this point.

[cl2117]

I feel like the Celtics are playing with house money at this stage, so I'd be ecstatic with a 7 game series with close games for the last 3 regardless of who wins.

I'm just tired of 20-30 point games that are never competitive. If we can magically end up with 2 great 3 game series in both Conferences that both end with exciting game 7's I'll be pleasantly surprised.

If the Cavs win game 5 they'll take the series. If the C's take game 5, it'll come down to game 7 to determine it and I think the Cavs will need an unsung hero to carry them through even if LeBron goes off (I'm talking a 20+ point game from Korver or JR or TT putting up a 15/15 double double).

The thing I'm most worried about is the Cavs now being in a rhythm. Guys like JR can get hot and stay hot regardless of whether they're home or away sometimes and that could be the death knell for Boston who need to try to make LeBron single handedly beat them.

I agree Boston was playing with House $ in the first 2 games and as a young team fed off the freedom. Not sure anyone in Boston should really anticipate the same going forward. Obviously you would want to be optimistic.
That being said, if Boston wins game 5 I don't think it will be because they are playing with House $ anymore, but because they played a much better game than they have thus far, and the Cavs didn't execute the same level of defense as games 3,4, hence the better game by Boston.
Most of the people I talk to that are not fans of either roster feel the same, but I am sure on these boards being a Cavs fan negates any likely reason regarding this stance in response to it.

What I meant by "playing with house money" was just that the C's were expected be bounced long before this due to injuries, but have made it here anyway so it's all gravy regardless of how this plays out (obviously amazing if we win).

I don't think that's why they won the first 2 games. They won the first 2 games because they played better basketball. Their roleplayers played better, they limited LeBron in game one, those are the types of things that are going to swing this series. Games 3 & 4 the Cavs had the best player and their roleplayers played as good/better than Boston's, which is a recipe for victory.

For me this all comes down to whose secondary players actually show up, and thus far that's all been based on where they're playing. I expect that to continue given how Boston has played in the Garden so far this playoffs, but like I said that can change with an irrational confidence guy like JR getting hot on the road.

If C's win tonight, I'm riding with my boys in 7.

[Hipster Doofus]

Best of three right now. Celtics win at home tonight. LeBron wins the next two.

Cavs in 7.

[metalinguss]

Winner of game 5 wins the series?

If the C's win tonight, do you have them favored over LeBron in a game 7?

[msr999]

I don't know how Cleveland has the momentum though. Last game's first quarter was the reason celtics lost. They're at home and I don't see them going down double digit in the first quarter. Not that I'm saying celtics are surely winning this game(hoping for it but I'm not betting against lebron) but the game would be closely contested all 4 quarters

This statement can easily be flipped to say, Cavs took it easy after that big 1Q lead. 1Q was enough to beat Celtics.

[Jaqua92]

I think people are missing the fact that the Celtics *could have* won game 4. 15 missed dunks and layup, which lead to 15 points for Clevepand.

Could have been a 20-30 point swing. If the Celtics made their bunnies, Celtics win either by double digits, or a blowout. Cle wasnt good in game 4 and people need to be aware of that.

I said winner of game 2 wins the series. Sticking with it now, after thinking about how the Celtics gave away what could have been a blowout win in Cle

[Jaqua92]

I don't know how Cleveland has the momentum though. Last game's first quarter was the reason celtics lost. They're at home and I don't see them going down double digit in the first quarter. Not that I'm saying celtics are surely winning this game(hoping for it but I'm not betting against lebron) but the game would be closely contested all 4 quarters

This statement can easily be flipped to say, Cavs took it easy after that big 1Q lead. 1Q was enough to beat Celtics.

Which isnt true, which is your point, I believe

[WestbrookLove]

Cavs fan here, but I think the Celtics win this series. Both teams have won their home games, but Boston has the home court advantage. I see them winning in seven.

[cl2117]

Winner of game 5 wins the series?

If the C's win tonight, do you have them favored over LeBron in a game 7?

I do. Normally wouldn't, but they've held home court all playoffs long. For them it seems to come down to whether their roleplayers show up and that seems to be predicated on where the game is played.

Definitely wouldn't put my mortgage on C's taking game 7 over LeBron, but I'd give them the edge at home.