Game 2 could change everything

sam_I_am · Post #1 » by **sam_I_am** » Wed May 21, 2008 1:49 pm

Detroit comes to Boston with one goal in mind. Steal 1 of the first 2 games. They definitely did not bring their A game last night. But fatigue is still a factor for Boston and might even be more of an issue tomorrow.

I am worried. We totally dominated game 1 and yet we kept Detroit in the game all night long. Detroit did not play with their usual tenacity. It was almost as if they were just feeling us out. Can we beat Detroit if they are playing better? Can we keep it that close with such a lethargic effort?

If Detroit steals game 2 we could find ourselves down 3-1 in this series in a blink of an eye. I would expect Detroit to show up tomorrow as if it was Game 7.

Last night the Celtics really looked like the superior team yet the scoreboard told a different story. If the last 2 series taught us anything it is that we should be very worried. #17 may very well hinge on tomorrows game.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #2 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Wed May 21, 2008 1:56 pm

sam_I_am wrote:Detroit comes to Boston with one goal in mind. Steal 1 of the first 2 games. They definitely did not bring their A game last night. But fatigue is still a factor for Boston and might even be more of an issue tomorrow.

I am worried. We totally dominated game 1 and yet we kept Detroit in the game all night long. Detroit did not play with their usual tenacity. It was almost as if they were just feeling us out. Can we beat Detroit if they are playing better? Can we keep it that close with such a lethargic effort?

If Detroit steals game 2 we could find ourselves down 3-1 in this series in a blink of an eye. I would expect Detroit to show up tomorrow as if it was Game 7.

Last night the Celtics really looked like the superior team yet the scoreboard told a different story. If the last 2 series taught us anything it is that we should be very worried. #17 may very well hinge on tomorrows game.

Wow, always with the negativity on this board.

Be positive! Believe we will win game 2...I do!

Tricky Ricky · Post #3 » by **Tricky Ricky** » Wed May 21, 2008 1:58 pm

I still think the winner of game 2 wins the series and Im still saying Celts in 5

MyInsatiableOne · Post #4 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:07 pm

Tricky Ricky wrote:I still think the winner of game 2 wins the series and Im still saying Celts in 5

Agreed. I think we win game 2, lose game 3, win game 4, and close out in game 5.

DieselCeltic · Post #5 » by **DieselCeltic** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:08 pm

Celtics will crush them tomorrow. I can just feel it man.

spf211 · Post #6 » by **spf211** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:10 pm

The Billups injury has hurt the Pistons more than I expected. I still don't know if we can win on the road but I'm very doubtful that Detroit can actually beat us at home after last night -- unless they decide to give Chauncey the next three games off.

GuyClinch · Post #7 » by **GuyClinch** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:41 pm

Well I think the C's can win - and probably will.

But I am still concerned about Ray Allen. He isn't playing even like a NORMAL starting NBA guard right now. I am serious when I say that statistically TA would likely give us MORE out of that spot. (Probably more bone head errors though).

If I had a tinge of disappointment last night it was that in those two last "garbage" time possesions we had we didn't try to line up Ray for a confidence building shot or two.

Pete

francishsu · Post #8 » by **francishsu** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:46 pm

I have to agree with sam_I_am, although maybe not as worried. For much of the game I was wondering how the game could be that close when it felt like we should be up by close to 20 at certain points.

One concern of mine is the PG situation. House cannot bring the ball up against Hunter's pressure. Rondo played well enough to stay in for 40 minutes, but we can't count on that. If House is in, Pierce will need to bring up the ball (I don't remember if Ray can bring it up if he's being pressured). And Pierce had to play for 44 minutes to seal the win. The other option, which I would prefer, is if Cassell can be effective this series.

CelticsWhat! · Post #9 » by **CelticsWhat!** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:59 pm

A 17-7 disparity at the free throw line in the first half will help keep a team in striking distance. But aside from a meaningless uncontested 3 at the buzzer by Prince, the Celtics outscored the Pistons in the second half by 11. That's pretty good against a team in the ECF, and it's a direct reflection of what happens to teams when they don't have a ridiculous advantage at the free throw line. Some times the Celtics bring it on themselves by relying too much on jumpers, but the Celts were taking it to the hoop more than Detroit in that first half and yet were still down 10 at the line.

Datruth345 · Post #10 » by **Datruth345** » Wed May 21, 2008 3:47 pm

the celtics, playign every other day are in a great rythm right now, and like every other former player and coach has said as an analyst at this point in the season fatigue is not a factor

tombattor · Post #11 » by **tombattor** » Wed May 21, 2008 3:50 pm

Well, what did you expect? Detroit is an excellent veteran team. They'll find a way to stay in the game even when they are a little off. They exploited our early cheap fouls in 2nd quarter to go on a run from the FT line by taking it to the hoop strong. And they will continue to recognize things like that and exploit them to their advantage. That's what makes them so great.

IMO, the key to this series is Billups. If he can't get back to his usual level of play, I think we can finally win a game on the road, whether it be game 4 or 6. However, I have a feeling he'll have his big games before the series is done.

Seeing the game last night, I think Ray will break out of his slump soon. Notice his shot after the whistle on one play? He was so money on that shot yet, during the game, he's so off. He's definitely thinking about it because he's passing up shots he should be taking without a second thought. However, the way the Pistons are playing him, he has more room to operate vs. the way Cavs were, which is blitzing him with a big on every screen. And you can see him being a little more aggressive.

We have to come out strong in game 2 and send the series to Detroit, up 2-0. I think we can win one in Detroit, but if we go to Detroit with the series tied 1-1, it'll put a ton of pressure on our players.

Post #12 » by **canman1971** » Wed May 21, 2008 3:58 pm

Why do people keep bringing up fatigue when these guys are obviously not tired? I think they proved that last night.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #13 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Wed May 21, 2008 4:11 pm

tombattor wrote:Well, what did you expect? Detroit is an excellent veteran team. They'll find a way to stay in the game even when they are a little off. They exploited our early cheap fouls in 2nd quarter to go on a run from the FT line by taking it to the hoop strong. And they will continue to recognize things like that and exploit them to their advantage. That's what makes them so great.

IMO, the key to this series is Billups. If he can't get back to his usual level of play, I think we can finally win a game on the road, whether it be game 4 or 6. However, I have a feeling he'll have his big games before the series is done.

Seeing the game last night, I think Ray will break out of his slump soon. Notice his shot after the whistle on one play? He was so money on that shot yet, during the game, he's so off. He's definitely thinking about it because he's passing up shots he should be taking without a second thought. However, the way the Pistons are playing him, he has more room to operate vs. the way Cavs were, which is blitzing him with a big on every screen. And you can see him being a little more aggressive.

We have to come out strong in game 2 and send the series to Detroit, up 2-0. I think we can win one in Detroit, but if we go to Detroit with the series tied 1-1, it'll put a ton of pressure on our players.

You beat me to it on every point, but I agree.

And Ray *will* bust out soon...I predict a great game 2 from him.

Fencer reregistered · Post #14 » by **Fencer reregistered** » Wed May 21, 2008 4:38 pm

If Doc decides that every minute of the game has to have at least one of Rondo or Pierce on the floor, because of the pressure against House, that's not really very hard for him to arrange. Of all the problems we could or do have, that one's not a biggie.

JHTruth · Post #15 » by **JHTruth** » Wed May 21, 2008 5:09 pm

Well, the game "seemed" closer last night because it was a low scoring game. 11 points in that game is like 18-19 in a game where teams are closer to a hundred.

Game 2 will be huge. I'm sure our guys will be ready as well..

francishsu · Post #16 » by **francishsu** » Wed May 21, 2008 5:20 pm

Fencer reregistered wrote:If Doc decides that every minute of the game has to have at least one of Rondo or Pierce on the floor, because of the pressure against House, that's not really very hard for him to arrange. Of all the problems we could or do have, that one's not a biggie.

I thought about that, but it also means that Pierce may not be able to get as many minutes with the starting unit. Unless you plan on playing him 42+ minutes a game. Also, what happens if Pierce gets into foul trouble?

celticfan42487 · Post #17 » by **celticfan42487** » Wed May 21, 2008 5:30 pm

Fencer reregistered wrote:If Doc decides that every minute of the game has to have at least one of Rondo or Pierce on the floor, because of the pressure against House, that's not really very hard for him to arrange. Of all the problems we could or do have, that one's not a biggie.

It was intresting in the fourth Pierce was bringing the ball up even with Rondo in the game.

I'm intrested to see what DET plans for Pierce brining the ball up next game.

sam_I_am · Post #18 » by **sam_I_am** » Wed May 21, 2008 5:39 pm

tombattor wrote:Well, what did you expect? Detroit is an excellent veteran team. They'll find a way to stay in the game even when they are a little off.

What I expect is that if Detroit played enthusiastically with their best 2 offensive players having excellent games that we would get blown out if we played like they did.

Our inability to put teams away is a mark of inexperience. A solid veteran team - like the Spurs for example - would destroy another veteran team if it was on like the C's were and the other team was off like the Pistons were.

We are getting by on talent but we are not getting the maximum out of our squad and this is a major concern to me. Eventually these types of issues come back to bite a team. There are going to be 3 close games in this series and if we show the lack of killer instinct shown in game 1 we could lose them all. It is not being negative to call it like it is.

Celts17Pride · Post #19 » by **Celts17Pride** » Wed May 21, 2008 5:51 pm

JHTruth wrote:Well, the game "seemed" closer last night because it was a low scoring game. 11 points in that game is like 18-19 in a game where teams are closer to a hundred.

Well said.

I remember at the end of 3 quarters the score was 69-57 Celtics. I said to myself there is no way the Pistons will score 85 points this game so all the Celtics have to do is score 16 points in the fourth quarter to win. I was right.

10 point leads are going to mean a lot more in this series.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #20 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Wed May 21, 2008 5:52 pm

^^But you *are* expecting the worst...the sky's falling now, huh? :roll: