DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Cavs vs. Celtics Official Game 7 Thread!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2008/columns/story?page=ScoutingCavaliersCeltics-Game7

For both the Cavs and the Celtics, extending their playoff lives comes down to one final game. With both teams winning three games at home and all of the adjustments having been made in the first six games, Game 7 Sunday comes down to two factors -- offensive execution and individual performance.

The Celtics have had their most success offensively with Kevin Garnett involved in more pick-and-pop action and less of his power post-up game. The Cav's big front line, especially his match up with Anderson Varejao, has pushed Garnett out and forced him to attack the defense from the midrange position. But even with that different look, Garnett has responded well with 25 points in Game 5 and 26 points in Game 6, on 23-of-40 shooting. Look for that same aggressiveness from Garnett in Game 7, and for the Cavs to continue their rotation of Ben Wallace and Varejao.

In Game 5, Paul Pierce had 29 points and got to the free-throw line 13 times. His midpost game has been stifled by LeBron James, so the Celtics have worked the offense to get him more catches at the top of the floor. This gives him the option to shoot or drive which allows him more room to work. Boston has also tried to use Rajon Rondo as a screener to force Cleveland to switch Delonte West onto Pierce so he can attack a smaller defender. Look for the Cavs to stay away from any switching action that gives Pierce this height advantage, but Pierce will still come out aggressive and attacking in Game 7.

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LeBron James and Paul Pierce

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images

The Paul Pierce-LeBron James matchup will be a focal point of Game 7 on Sunday afternoon.
Boston hopes that Rondo's roller-coaster shooting is back on the upswing at home, as he shot 5-for-8 in Game 1, 0-for-6 in Game 2, and 9-for-15 in Game 5. His back-to-back 3's in Game 5 might have been the two biggest shots in this series. Rondo was 1-for-4 and an absolute nonfactor in Game 6, and Cleveland has a decision to make in Game 7 as to how much attention to give him. Rondo is at his best penetrating and creating, so the Cavs might just leave him on the perimeter and dare him to step up and shoot in Game 7. How he responds to the shot-making pressure will be an important factor for the Celtics.

Ray Allen has been a ghost in this series, and although he has been an offensive nonfactor, he is very capable of heating things up in Game 7. If his jumper isn't falling, look for more dribble pullups and drives to get him to the foul line. The Celtics might run some sets for him early, but don't expect them to stay with this for long if his shot isn't falling.

Coach Doc Rivers has tried multiple combinations of players to try and get more production from his bench, which has struggled the last two games -- Boston has only gotten 21 points from its reserves. Look for him to go with James Posey for defense and shooting and some home-court energy from Leon Powe. However, don't expect Rivers to put Game 7 in the hands of Sam Cassell.

The Celtics had 25 assists in Game 5, and have been at their best when the ball moves and they share the ball. If they get stagnant, look for Cleveland to strangle its offense in the half court.

The Cavs offense has improved in all three games in this series when they played in Boston. Each game their field goal percentage had risen from 30.7 to 35.6 to 44.6, and they led at the end of the first quarter in Game 2 and led at the half in Game 5. But when it came to the later parts of each of those games Cleveland's offense became slow and stagnant and Boston outscored the Cavs by double digits in each of the third quarters.

Cleveland has had it's best offensive output in the series when James and Wally Szczerbiak cut off of down screens and keep the floor spread. Look for coach Mike Brown to keep running sets to get James the ball on the move and in different spots on the floor. The Celtics can't allow James to get going early so that he inspires his team, so look for them to face guard James with Pierce and Posey all over the court. If he goes to the hole, there's a good chance that James will end up on his back.

The Cavs offense has been quieted in this series when James holds the ball too much and tries to take on the whole Celtics defense, which could hurt them if he does that in Game 7. The Cavs got away with some of that in Game 6, but they must get back to the rapid ball and player movement that got them wins in Cleveland and early leads in Boston.

Szczerbiak had 22 points in Game 1 in Boston, but has been in a slump recently, shooting 5-for-19. The Cavs need him to stay aggressive and look for his shot, especially when James drives. Szczerbiak would like nothing better than to stick a few 3-point daggers in the team that traded him.

Delonte West got to the foul line 13 times and had 21 points in Game 5. These used to be home games for him in Boston, so look for him to be just as aggressive in Game 7.

Cleveland will try to get Zydrunas Ilgauskas going with pick-and-pop opportunities with James on one side. The Cavs might also station him at the top of the floor for his jump shot.

Others to keep a look at on the offensive side for the Cavs are Joe Smith who will provide scoring, Varejao who will supply size and defense and Sasha Pavlovic who might play a big role in place of Daniel Gibson.

In spite of criticisms of an inability to win on the road in the playoffs, the Celtics are exactly where they want to be -- playing at home with the chance to end the series. After the first six games of this series, anyone who wants to argue against the merits of home-court advantage should be shouted down and forcibly removed from the room.

James needs his teammates more than ever in this Game 7, and he has them believing they can win in Boston. That is why James will have his best game of the series Sunday.

The Celtics not only know they can win at home, they know they can win a Game 7. Expect the Celtics to finally get good games in the same game from Garnett, Pierce and Allen, and advance to the conference finals.

PREDICTION: Celtics win Game 7

LETS GO CAVS! This game will be a benchmark of LeBron James career regaurdless of the result. Let's hope it ends with a Cavs victory!

All the pressure is on Boston. As long as we bring our defense and rebounding I think we're getting out of there with a win.

hmmm...

Red Sox 4 games to Indians 3...
Celtics 4 games to Cavs 3?...
Patriots over the Browns in the playoffs?...

I just made a post about the game in the K-9 forum, will not copy that here but did want to say publicly (since I stated on here that Boston would sweep the Cavs) that I hope the Cavs can pull it out today. Anything can happen now.......

I think we win a close one or lose a blow-out.

The NBA playoffs the home team wins 99% of the time. It would be nice if the Cavs win but I don't see it.

This guy will be walking through the door though.....

But so will another top 5 NBA player...Kevin Garnett!

Let's Go Boston!

Lets go CAVS!!!

I'm not going to lie, I'm worried about this game. The Cavs have impressed this series and I admit I didn't give them enough credit - although I predicted this series to go to Boston in 6. I still think Boston wins @ home because they are obvioulsy better at home than they are on the road - same as the Cavs. I still believe that Boston is considerably better talent-wise, but the Cavs play their game, and play it well. The Cavs have the tools to win this one on the road - getting to the foul line and rebounding being the key - because IMO if you do those things on the road and do it better than the home team, you give yourself a chance to win.


I think Boston wins by 6, but I think it'll be a tough game. Go Boston!

Cavs are +8......pretty tempting bet.

I think the cavs have the ability to win... but I don't see them doing it... I really hope they do though. Especially with Gibson out though it's going to be tough as hell.

I said in the game 6 thread that Bron needs to get his players going first in this game instead of trying to do it all himself at the begining like he did in game 5. Wally and Big Z need to get on a role in the first quarter.

The Cavs defintiely have the ability to win this one, but I don't think they do either. I think Boston wins a close won, but I'd love to have a similar result as the game 7 against atlanta. I'm hoping for a Boston wins, but if they do lose I'll be rooting for the Cavs to win it all, but I'm a Celtics fan first.

I'll puke if we lose to Boston in one more thing.

LET'S GO CAVS!

I'm a major Celtics fan. Looking back on this season, I might have missed watching 5 or 6 games. These playoffs have worn on me.

I bought my mother tickets to a play today for christmas and i just sent her off with my father (instead of myself) because of this game.

I expect the Celtics to win or else somebody needs to be fired. It's completely rediculous how badly the celtics are playing right now. I have found this series to be a very sloppy, ugly series and as a fan of the team with the best record in the league, who beat every team in the league, it's embarassing that my Celtics play worse in the playoffs than the reg season. We aren't moving the ball, Ray Allen is ice cold, KG fades in the 4th quarter, Paul Pierce hasn't dominated the way I thought he would. Rondo can't play on the road either.


I believe that if Lebron plays well and the Celtics start cold and find themselves in foul trouble very early, then the Cavaliers might win on the road game 7.

Although this won't be the case, the sheer will of Kevin Garnett will push the Celtics to a decisive win Game 7, similar to that of the one vs Atlanta. Rondo will be phenominal and Baby won't get called for BS fouls because he isn't in Cleveland. The Celtics will continue to have never been behind in a playoff series and they will use their momentum to go into Detroit Games 1 and 2 and win.

Quick ? though guys, was it just me or did the reffing in Game 6 seem very one-sided. Our big guys were constantly being called for fouls and your big guys were never being called. Just looking at the stats we got 25 and you got 16 but it seemed to be more noticeable in the game.

Also just wondering, don't you guys think that Lebron gets a rediculous amount of calls gone his way. Are you really allowed to lower your shoulder like that when you drive because my buddies who played competitive HS basketball say that that's a charge.

I think lebron has to play out of his mind for us to win. Like Detroit game 5 crazy.

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Although this won't be the case, the sheer will of Kevin Garnett will push the Celtics to a decisive win Game 7, similar to that of the one vs Atlanta.

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We're no Atlanta, the Cavs aren't going to lay down for the Celtics if they jump out early. If anything the Celts jumping out early might get the Cavs to keep their intensity up for the full game.

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Also just wondering, don't you guys think that Lebron gets a rediculous amount of calls gone his way. Are you really allowed to lower your shoulder like that when you drive because my buddies who played competitive HS basketball say that that's a charge.

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What's funny is I haven't heard anyone talk about Garnett getting away with that against Andy and it was as blatant as a charge could be. Also I don't hear anyone talking about KG getting away with the hack on West's elbow on his 3 pointer at the end of the 2nd quarter.

I think its funny that when the Cavs lose, Cavs fans blame sloppy play, poor offensive execution, and too many turnovers. When the Celtics lose, everyone right on up to Doc Rivers blames the officials. I think Boston folks are kind of scared that their second attempt to buy a championship in the past year is going to wind up like the last one did, falling short.

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Quick ? though guys, was it just me or did the reffing in Game 6 seem very one-sided. Our big guys were constantly being called for fouls and your big guys were never being called. Just looking at the stats we got 25 and you got 16 but it seemed to be more noticeable in the game.

Also just wondering, don't you guys think that Lebron gets a rediculous amount of calls gone his way. Are you really allowed to lower your shoulder like that when you drive because my buddies who played competitive HS basketball say that that's a charge.

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I thought the refs did a terrible job overall on both sides. It seemed once some of the Celts bigs got into foul trouble, the refs stopped calling fouls on them. But on both sides, they called some tickytack calls and missed some biggies imho.

No you're not supposed to be able to lower your shoulder, but again, both teams did it - that is one of the few things they called consistently. Or didn't call consistently is probably better wording.

I think this will be a close game and come down to the last few seconds. Boston has averaged 82 points in the series and Cleveland 84. That's my prediction this afternoon - Cavs 84, Celts 82.

Same here I am TOTALLY sick of this Boston bull crap. I hate the Patriots, the Red Sox, and now the Celtics;screw them all!

Down go the Celtics, down go the Celtics! Let's go Cavs, smother Garnett, I'm so tired of him.

Exactly !....IMHO the time is now for someone to step up and help Lebron....If that doesn't happen --We Lose....They pressure is on us to produce under pressure and start to prove those Disbelievers , myself included , that last season wasn't a Fluke.....If we continue to play strong on Defense and can Finally focus on taking quality high % shots , Feed Z and Elbow Up when necessary , we should have a very Good chance to win....

It looks like the Celtics are coming out pretty serious here already, we need to score back to back points or we're going to get blown out.

Damn Paul Pierce.

REBOUND!!!

This could get ugly quick...

already is ugly, these guys can't make a basket if their lives depended on it.

I think we need to just weather the storm here. Boston came out with a bunch of energy and emotion. Let's hope we can stay fundamentally sound and hope they come back to earth.

Wow Tom Brady is there too, can it get any worse?

18-13 Celtics after 1.

Man we really can't seem to score at all in this series.

I knew the crowd would be crazy...
Message to lebron;
Win or go home!!!!

Wow, way to go miss your free throws..........

Man, we have to defend these 3 pointers damn it!

30 points a half just isn't going to cut it...

Think someone should tell the cavs that their season is over if they don't win today?

Get the ball to LeBron. He is the only chance we have in this game...

Why is Pavlovich even playing?

Get Pavlovich, out of the game...now..