I'm not sure about the rust factor. Remember that in '06, the Pistons went the full 7 before beating Cleveland, only to drop Game 1 at home to Miami two days later. And when the Pistons ended up being unable to compete in any of the games in Miami, that was enough to cost them the series. So we could hope for a scenario like that, if the Celtics advance.
Is there a team out there where your analysis wouldn't start off with this? I am going crazy trying to figure out which team I want DET to play next. I only see bleak and this feels like choosing between run over or backed over by a car. Why do I picture myself sitting there slack-jawed as the refs whistle blows again against Sheed while the team I "rooted" for rolls on? Lastly, who wins in a game of 1 on 1 between Amir and AA?
Nobody, the world explodes, it destroys the time/space continuum. GO INJURIES, GO 7 GAMES 3 OT'S , Gar Heard Turnaround shot in the air...
Daniel Gibson is out for 1-2 weeks with a separated shoulder. The incredibly irritating result of Boston getting their first playoff road win in a close-out game now seems a lot more likely.
I have to root extra hard for Amir to offset Flip's effort to not play him. LOL I don't get the doomsday vibe much from BOS, although my rotations and Flip's are pretty different, but you got to have some hope with their abymsal road record (although that goes out the window if the win Game 6). As for between Amir/AA, Amir would win. AA plays great defense, but Amir is just too tall. Although stofmind's options is also a definite possibility.
I can't stress enough the importance of Amir if the Cavs win this series against Smith/Varajeo. I wish there was someway to tattoo it to Flip's forehead. Max's height really limits him. I'm rooting for the Celtics (like really rooting for the Celtics), but since this is going to a Game 7, anything can happen
Celtics getting raped by the refs, BS charging call, and an uncalled goaltend that could've made it a 2 pt game. I doubt they win in BOS. Lebron James has more FT's than the entire Celts team in this game. That won't happen there.
That offensive foul on Pierce was a poor call. Shoulda been a block on LeBron. Glad Cavs won; more time for Chauncey to recuperate. This is good news. I like how the Celts run out and double James outside the 3-point line, but it does put some stress on their D. B. Wallace gets in on defense ONLY at the end. Good move, but I wonder if Big Ben's pride has taken a hit over the past few seasons.
Oddly he seems to be fine with it (or appears to be ) in CLE. He doesn have a really good relationship with MB so maybe that's why. He does still get his 20 min or so a game, but he rarely plays in crunch time.
Man, that was ugly. Cleveland gave up a 13-0 run AND an 8-0 run in the second half and STILL managed to win, only because Boston is so bad on the road. Cleveland's office was just pathetic down the stretch. I don't know about the goaltend that wasn't--is it really goaltending if the ball is moving AWAY from the rim?--but the charge on Pierce in the last minute was clearly a terrible call. I don't have much faith in Cleveland's ability to win on the road either, but maybe those Boston role players like Rondo (who went from 20 in Game 5 to TWO tonight) will seize up under the glare of Game 7. Everyone knew that the Hawks had no chance in their Game 7, but if Cleveland can stay in it until the final minutes, who knows. Still, Boston's gotta be the heavy favorite. The Celtics will come into the ECF with zero confidence on the road, which is good, and if Cleveland can make a real game of it on Sunday, Boston will really be limping in with no momentum and a rattled psyche. Still, I'd rather face Cleveland, if only because Boston will still have the ability to hold serve at home against us and advance without winning in the Palace.
Yes, terrible call, and a very costly one for the Celtics at that late stage in the game. But as you say, it worked to the Pistons advantage. It not only gives Chauncey time to get healthy, but also weakens Boston somewhat as an ECF opponent (assuming Boston beats the Cavs in game 7). Boston's confidence has to be a bit shaken by their difficulties in the first two rounds. And they may be a bit spent when it comes to game one of the conference finals, and vulnerable to a letdown.
