Three things to look for in game seven!

Post #1 » by **I love heinsohn** » Sun May 18, 2008 4:42 am

We all know what this game means to the C's, to the Big 3 and especially to Doc. Here are three things I'll be looking for:

1. Does Doc look to Tony Allen this game?
I know that TA looked like absolute crap in his extended playoff audition at the end of March and April, but at this point could he be any worse than Ray? There are actually two places where TA could help this team. First is just stepping up on Wally and not giving him space or an open shot.

The other is as a backcourt pressure guy against Delonte. We all know that Delonte isn't great against pressure and with Gibson out, it would be nice to take him out of the comfort zone. Yes, Cleveland has LeBron to bring the ball up and he will, but I would rather see him start handling the ball 65 feet from the basket and let the defense get set than receiving an inside pass 15 feet from the hoop. TA (if healthy) has fresh legs and Ray clearly does not. Let TA get in there for 5 minutes each half and be aggressive if necessary Doc!

2. Will Doc stick with the big guns? Three guys on the Celtics have -- for the most part -- played great at home: Rondo, KG, and Pierce. This is game 7. Win or go home time. There should be no excuse to play any of these three less than 40 minutes if they are effective on the court. Three minutes of rest around the 1st and 3rd quarters is plenty at this point.

3. If LeBron steps up, does Doc have a backup plan?

This is pretty much my nightmare, but I am extremely concerned that LeBron will go off again as he did to start game 5. If this happens, Doc needs to be prepared right away. Make sure Perk and PJ Brown know that there are no easy baskets in a game 7 in Boston. Their fouling out (or even getting suspended by the will of Stern) is far less important than putting LeBron on his ass every trip into the paint.

The flip side of this strategy revolves around momentum. If LeBron starts to heat up and the Cavs are over the limit FOUL BEN WALLACE AND VAREJAO INTENTIONALLY! These guys are liabilities at the line, but have been playing solid D. Make the Cavs change up what they want to do and let Sideshow Bob or the worst free throw shooter in NBA history (!!) beat you at the line. If things get rough and Doc sits there with his hands in his pockets, I fully expect him to get the boot this summer.

That's what I'll be looking for. How about y'all?

bigal534 · Post #2 » by **bigal534** » Sun May 18, 2008 6:12 am

ive been a fan of the hack a ben all series....just hasnt happened much...

I alos look to see which team will get t the line most to start the game and which team is getting 2 shot fouls rather than fouls that are "on the floor"

lastly im thinking absolutely anything cn happen here...obviouslty im hopin for a big celtics win, but a 1 point celtics win will do fine as well

Post #3 » by **sunshinekids99** » Sun May 18, 2008 12:17 pm

1) I understand the fact that Tony has fresh legs, but IMO there is a reason he has not played. Tony hasn't had a good game since about mid April. I don't think you see him today. And to be honest Ray Allen has done a fine job on Wally World. Wally only had one good game this series, he just happened to hit a big shot in game 6. I'm just hoping today is the day that Ray Allen gets back to being Ray Allen. Hit a couple shots early and maybe we can get him going. I'd love to see the Celtics try and get it to him early.

Rondo needs to be putting that pressure on Delonte. I haven't been that impressed with Rondo's defense in this series. I'm hoping he can pick it up.

2) Doc has already said he will play the starters 40 plus minutes. He just doesn't like playing KG that much, but if he has to he will use him.

3) I fully agree with you on hack a Ben. And I'm shocked that haven't went to it. Bring in Powe or Davis and let him give up his 6 fouls in a big part of the game. I also agree it would be a great way to slow down the Cavs if they get on a run.

4) My main thing for the game is the backup bigs. Perk has been getting into foul trouble, but the guys coming in for him haven't done much. Powe has been forgotten in this series and I'd like to see him get some run in game 7. Match the Cavs energy guys with an energy guy. Big Baby had a horrible game 6 and I thought really slowed the C's down at the end missing a couple easy shots. I love the effort from him, but he has a hard time getting his shot off against the Cavs. PJ Brown has been solid on the defensive side of the ball. But offensively he has a hard time finishing near the rim, his only shot is to hit the open jump shot. Whoever it is, somebody has to step up from that group. I'm just hoping Doc gives Powe a chance.

cisco · Post #4 » by **cisco** » Sun May 18, 2008 2:30 pm

sunshinekids99 wrote:1) I understand the fact that Tony has fresh legs, but IMO there is a reason he has not played. Tony hasn't had a good game since about mid April. I don't think you see him today. And to be honest Ray Allen has done a fine job on Wally World. Wally only had one good game this series, he just happened to hit a big shot in game 6. I'm just hoping today is the day that Ray Allen gets back to being Ray Allen. Hit a couple shots early and maybe we can get him going. I'd love to see the Celtics try and get it to him early.

Rondo needs to be putting that pressure on Delonte. I haven't been that impressed with Rondo's defense in this series. I'm hoping he can pick it up.

2) Doc has already said he will play the starters 40 plus minutes. He just doesn't like playing KG that much, but if he has to he will use him.

3) I fully agree with you on hack a Ben. And I'm shocked that haven't went to it. Bring in Powe or Davis and let him give up his 6 fouls in a big part of the game. I also agree it would be a great way to slow down the Cavs if they get on a run.

4) My main thing for the game is the backup bigs. Perk has been getting into foul trouble, but the guys coming in for him haven't done much. Powe has been forgotten in this series and I'd like to see him get some run in game 7. Match the Cavs energy guys with an energy guy. Big Baby had a horrible game 6 and I thought really slowed the C's down at the end missing a couple easy shots. I love the effort from him, but he has a hard time getting his shot off against the Cavs. PJ Brown has been solid on the defensive side of the ball. But offensively he has a hard time finishing near the rim, his only shot is to hit the open jump shot. Whoever it is, somebody has to step up from that group. I'm just hoping Doc gives Powe a chance.

I thought Rondo played great defense on Delonte 4 out of the 6 games played. He only had 2 bad defensive games. In game 6 Delonte had 4 turnovers and 0 assists. Rondo pressured him well. If Rondo can do the same thing defensively, but also attack Delonte offensively as well, I think the Celtics win. We need Rondo to be aggressive on both ends, not just on defense.

Post #5 » by **sunshinekids99** » Sun May 18, 2008 3:28 pm

I suppose I'm being a bit critical of Rondo on the defensive side of the ball. I agree with you that Rondo needs to play well on the offensive side of the ball. Hit the open jump shot and get into the paint. He's the only point guard that can really do that. Sam just looks too slow and if his shot is not falling he's going to have a hard time. As for House he sure can hit the open shot, but he has a hard time when the Cavs blitz on the pick and roll.

If Rondo has a bad game today, I think the Cavs win.

cavsfan_osiris · Post #6 » by **cavsfan_osiris** » Sun May 18, 2008 4:43 pm

I don't agree with the Tony Allen take, but I agree with the other points. TA hasn't played meaningful minutes in too long. You don't go to a complete unknown, inexperienced player in a game 7.

intheknow · Post #7 » by **intheknow** » Sun May 18, 2008 5:15 pm

I think when you have a guy like Tony Allen you need to give him "test minutes". He's capable of doing some awesome things out there - so you need to stick him in and see what happens. I know he's got the potential to really screw up - but I don't see how it helps to not even try him out. Guess what I'm getting at is that Tony has the potential to bring a greater "upside" to the game than "downside". And, if he pulls a "stupid" - sit him down. Not trying him at all just doesn't make sense to me.....

Basileus777 · Post #8 » by **Basileus777** » Sun May 18, 2008 6:09 pm

Hack-a-ben is dangerous when you consider how low scoring these games are. Even if he only hits 45-50% of his FTs, thats not bad when 70 points can give you the win.

GuyClinch · Post #9 » by **GuyClinch** » Sun May 18, 2008 6:24 pm

TA doesn't have to play "crunch time" but I see no reason why he can't step in and play ten minutes. He can keep Ray a little fresher - which is something we desperately need, he can play some pressure D and slash to the hole.

People harp on his turnovers - but the way the C's rebound are they THAT much worse then Ray Allen's frequent misses? I still would love to see TA.

We heard the same thing about House - and I thought House played well. Personally I like to see the cast that won us 66 games play in this series. It's only fair that they would get to win or lose it.

That means House, TA, and Powe..

Pete

Kids Are Alright · Post #10 » by **Kids Are Alright** » Sun May 18, 2008 7:15 pm

cavsfan_osiris wrote:I don't agree with the Tony Allen take, but I agree with the other points. TA hasn't played meaningful minutes in too long. You don't go to a complete unknown, inexperienced player in a game 7.

You know, Eddie looked pretty sharp in his 7 minute or so run in game 6. He's been horrid to this point and he came in sharp.

Tony knows his role and I think he'd play it well.

It's certain that Ray pretty much is a nonfactor in this series, unless you're a Cav's fan.