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

[Higgs Boston]

Yeah, I think who wins today wins the series.

[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.

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.

I think they did play with house $ in that they used crowd energy & were rewarded for the risk they took defensively as they got little resistance from officials in Boston but somewhat in game 3 and by game 4 did not get away with it at all in CLE,where it was evenly officiated Celtics had 26 pf Cavs had 23 ...so it should be balanced out going forward regardless of home or away. We shall see. I do think Boston will play better at home offensively overall and the game will be close and whether they win or lose will depend on if the same CLE defense shows up as in game 3 and 4.
Being this far into the series regardless of refs hate chants from the fabase crowd noise despite the legitimacy of the calls etc I think Bostons ability to defend will be stymied by their inability to get away with fouls like they did early.

[Shady Franchise]

Home court is king in this series. I think Boston regroups tonight, Cavs win game 6, and Boston game 7. Either way, hoping for a game 7.

[Ainosterhaspie]

My original thought was Cavs in six. I thought Cavs would get one in Boston the first two, win at home, lose game five and finish in game six.

I dont think Celtics win game six. If it goes seven, LeBron's recent history is that he wins game sevens. Celtics have been really good at home these playoffs, so it's harder to assume Cavs will overcome that. Still... LeBron hasn't lost game seven since 2008.

[otwok]

If this goes to 7, players like Lebron don't lose. Boston needs to win in 6 otherwise it's lights out.

[itrsteve]

Pretty confident on tonight but not on a game 7 if it gets there.

As long as they play right, minimize turnovers, keep composure and stay competitive then I’m fine with either outcome tonight. This is all a bonus as the bucks were suppose to sweep the C’s months ago because they have a guy. Great opportunity for development for the young guys and bench players for next year when it matters.

[Pantsman]

This series was over the second lue made the adjustment to have TT shadow horford. Something that should have been done from the start. Cavs win out.

[commentatorer]

Its hard to believe the Cavs role-players will have the courage to compete in Boston.
Boston are ferocious at home, their youth is in full force at home.
LeBron is a non-factor in this series.
Its all about the role-players (of both teams) appearing and disappearing.

[Mamba Mentality]

Its hard to believe the Cavs role-players will have the courage to compete in Boston.
Boston are ferocious at home, their youth is in full force at home.
LeBron is a non-factor in this series.
Its all about the role-players (of both teams) appearing and disappearing.

What? He's putting up 32/7/9..

[Jaqua92]

Its hard to believe the Cavs role-players will have the courage to compete in Boston.
Boston are ferocious at home, their youth is in full force at home.
LeBron is a non-factor in this series.
Its all about the role-players (of both teams) appearing and disappearing.

What? He's putting up 32/7/9..

I think he means its the roll players who have to be the difference makers

[Trippinskarlo]

No house money bs I want to win.

[ITYSL]

No house money bs I want to win.

This

[MaxRider]

Home court is king in this series. I think Boston regroups tonight, Cavs win game 6, and Boston game 7. Either way, hoping for a game 7.

ditto

[RGM_SU]

Cleveland will win this game, bringing LeBron James one step closer to title number 4. This year, no team is capable of stopping him. The Sixers, Raptors, Celtics, Warriors and Rockets have all shown themselves to be paper tigers. They won't have a chance winning 4 games against James if he's locked in. The only one capable of stopping James this season is James himself.

[NetsDynasty2012]

Cleveland will win this game, bringing LeBron James one step closer to title number 4. This year, no team is capable of stopping him. The Sixers, Raptors, Celtics, Warriors and Rockets have all shown themselves to be paper tigers. They won't have a chance winning 4 games against James if he's locked in. The only one capable of stopping James this season is James himself.

lmao

[Warchant]

No house money bs I want to win.

If Kyrie was playing you would be in the finals

[TheGOATRises007]

I see the Cavs winning in 6.

TT should have played from the start. He's completely negated Horford as in the past.

Lebron will have 2 monster games to wrap it up.

[Pantsman]

No house money bs I want to win.

If Kyrie was playing you would be in the finals

Not sure. Kyrie would be picked on every possession by Lebron. The cavs won by like 30 last time they played and kyrie played.

[CelticSooner]

Wish I had as much faith as some of you when it comes to HCA. Against LeBron I don't think it really matters though. If the C's are going to win this series they will have to cut the head off the snake.

[whitehops]

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