A Game 2 Win Would Be Huge...

[Al-Haqq]

Sense of urgency is the biggest thing. Lakers have it, but can the Celtics get it again? Hard to do when you're up in the series. Maybe they can get it thinking about a 1-1 series with the next 3 being in LA. Now that's trouble!

[daveisceltics]

With the 2-3-2 format we need to win the next home game.
3 in a row in L.A. could make or break the series.
If we win 1 of 3 in L.A. to go up 3-2 it'd be great for us.
I'd much rather see it end in 4 or 5 just like every other C's fan in the world, though.

[omegatronic3]

With the 2-3-2 format we need to win the next home game.
3 in a row in L.A. could make or break the series.
If we win 1 of 3 in L.A. to go up 3-2 it'd be great for us.
I'd much rather see it end in 4 or 5 just like every other C's fan in the world, though.

I dont understand the 2-3-2 format at all. I think its an advantage to the Lakes cos the pressure is on Boston to get the first two. Losing game one almost ends the series and even a game 2 loss means the Lakers go home with a chance to close it out. Down 0-2 with 3 at home isnt that big. Personally I think it takes away home court advantage...I guess maybe thats the point but I think it should be 2-2-1-1-1

[Rondo_Fan]

All we gotta do is remember the 1985 Finals...C's won Game 1 at home by 34 points....lost Game 2...and Lost the series 4-2 to the Lakers......YES, the next game is HUGE to us.

That game was weird though.

We couldn't miss shooting, and L.A. played like crap. I remember being very uneasy after that game. We clearly hadn't taken their best shot.

This year's Game One felt different. It was actually a game, and while L.A. wasn't playing as well as they could, they did do some things well. I'm not sure how much more they have to show us. We might lose a game or two because Kobe scores 45 and everybody else gets hot, but I don't see that happening four times.

But...I feel you. No matter what, Game 2 is huge. At the very least, it guarantees us getting back to Boston.

[daveisceltics]

Yeah, I don't like the finals format either.
It kinda kills the fact that we had the best record during the season and deserve the advantage.

[DEEP3CL]

-= original quote snipped =-



That game was weird though.

We couldn't miss shooting, and L.A. played like crap. I remember being very uneasy after that game. We clearly hadn't taken their best shot.

This year's Game One felt different. It was actually a game, and while L.A. wasn't playing as well as they could, they did do some things well. I'm not sure how much more they have to show us. We might lose a game or two because Kobe scores 45 and everybody else gets hot, but I don't see that happening four times.

But...I feel you. No matter what, Game 2 is huge. At the very least, it guarantees us getting back to Boston.

Rondo_Fan while I agree with most of your post I have to ask this question.

I've notice that most of your fans seem to think that the C's will lose a game only if Kobe scores 40 point or more why is that ?

Fact of the matter is he hasn't scored 40 in a playoff game yet, now I do realize the logic behind your thought. But it just seems to me you guys are expecting him to do it.

We just want him to play the way he's been , while scoring 40 isn't bad but it hasn't been needed in these playoffs.

[Taget]

Win and protect home court. You know the refs won't be doing us any favors in LA.

[Rondo_Fan]

-= original quote snipped =-

Rondo_Fan while I agree with most of your post I have to ask this question.

I've notice that most of your fans seem to think that the C's will lose a game only if Kobe scores 40 point or more why is that ?

Fact of the matter is he hasn't scored 40 in a playoff game yet, now I do realize the logic behind your thought. But it just seems to me you guys are expecting him to do it.

We just want him to play the way he's been , while scoring 40 isn't bad but it hasn't been needed in these playoffs.

Well, I think that you guys are clearly the better offensive team.

But last game we beat you on defense, the boards, and in the paint. And as long as that continues, I don't think you beat us unless you have a great shooting night.

Look, it doesn't have to be Kobe scoring 40. Let's say that you guys shoot 58% from the floor or something like that, which could happen. Everybody's making their shots, it's your night--well, there is no way that we are beating you. If you are knocking down 20 foot fallaways, maybe on an emotional Game 3 return to L.A., we're toast. And I can see that happening. I just don't see that happening for four games.

I might be wrong about your team, too. But I think that the national media has seriously, seriously underestimated Boston. Where do your rebounds come from for the rest of the series? Phil himself said that rebounding was where you lost Game 1. Who beats out Garnett on the boards? Perkins? Pierce? Rondo? Most of our guys are good rebounders, even the guards. How does Kobe get to the rim? He's the best individual talent on the floor, and he made some tough shots on Thursday, but he was mostly taking shots that we wanted him to take. He wasn't breaking down our defense.

I'm not saying that you don't have better basketball in you than you did Thursday. Maybe you win the next two and I'm singing a different tune. But seriously, where are the rebounds coming from, and how do you break down our defense and start scoring in the paint? (Apart the Gasol first half rolls to the basket, which we quickly fixed.) If you don't get rebounds and start scoring in the paint, then you are going to have to shoot lights out to beat us. And I think that you will, for a game or two. But my money in the long run is on the team that I think can do more damage on defense and the boards.