2008 East Finals: (1) Celtics Vs. (2) Pistons

[Sauru]

i like when they bring house in and give pierce the ball. i like the ball in his hands he has been really dangerous with it of late. also when the ball is in his hands and you got house spotting up its gives us a serious threat for the long ball, which is really good now that allen is hurting us

[CMJ3]

Pistons take game 2 on the ROAD!! first loss for the Celtics at home this year in the playoffs, their only hope of winning this series now is by taking a road win which they have yet to do. Should make for a very competitive series. I'm rooting for the Pistons I wanna see them win another Championship before this team gets too old.

[magius]

I'm putting my money on detroit. I don't remember the last time in any sport when a team went from last place to winning a championship within the space of a season. It just doesn't happen, you have to earn it together over a longer duration. It's only fair. That's why mass revamps, regardless of how big the name, don't often work (see lakers [malone, payton], rockets [pip, barkley]... both arguably even better teams on paper). Maybe next year or the year after.

[Lamrock]

Well, looks like Boston needs to win a home game now.

[Cartar]

On the good side, Ray Allen finally had a good game.

[MANIPON]

I can't see any "no call by the refs" issues in this thread. So the referees only commit bad calls on a Lakers series?

Nice win for Detroit though. There's no surprise with the road win it's just that the Celtics are losing at road so the only way to lift them up is to put issues like they have some home dominance..they can't be beaten at home type of headlines..but they're really beatable..they only played against weaker teams in the early rounds that's why they are here.

[Andrew]

I'm putting my money on detroit. I don't remember the last time in any sport when a team went from last place to winning a championship within the space of a season. It just doesn't happen, you have to earn it together over a longer duration. It's only fair. That's why mass revamps, regardless of how big the name, don't often work (see lakers [malone, payton], rockets [pip, barkley]... both arguably even better teams on paper). Maybe next year or the year after.

It certainly would be defying history but then again most last place teams don't become 66 win teams the following season either. The Celtics haven't been your average turnaround team, after all. I don't their struggles on the road have much to do with being a revamped team because they were the best road team in the regular season and had they not had those struggles in the first two rounds, the 1-1 start wouldn't be any more cause for alarm than usual.

That said, the 1-1 start bodes very well for Detroit. I'll stop short of calling Game 3 a must-win game for the Celtics since simply getting the split in Game 4 might be enough to get back on track heading back to Boston assuming they can either win Game 5 and then get another one in Detroit to close it out in six, or re-establish their home dominance in Games 5 and 7 to escape another seven game series. If they drop Game 3 though then they could very easily slide to 3-1 by the time they head home and I don't like their chances of winning three straight including one on the road.

[hova-]

I love this series. Two teams that pass the ball with player who can hit jumpers all day long. I love this mid range game by certain players like Rip, Pierce or KG. (and others). For me this is way cooler than dunks and stuff since it really requires patience and intelligent decision making.

Still I hope the Cs will make it, just because KG and PP need a ring in my opinion.

[magius]

I'm putting my money on detroit. I don't remember the last time in any sport when a team went from last place to winning a championship within the space of a season. It just doesn't happen, you have to earn it together over a longer duration. It's only fair. That's why mass revamps, regardless of how big the name, don't often work (see lakers [malone, payton], rockets [pip, barkley]... both arguably even better teams on paper). Maybe next year or the year after.

It certainly would be defying history but then again most last place teams don't become 66 win teams the following season either. The Celtics haven't been your average turnaround team, after all. I don't their struggles on the road have much to do with being a revamped team because they were the best road team in the regular season and had they not had those struggles in the first two rounds, the 1-1 start wouldn't be any more cause for alarm than usual.

That said, the 1-1 start bodes very well for Detroit. I'll stop short of calling Game 3 a must-win game for the Celtics since simply getting the split in Game 4 might be enough to get back on track heading back to Boston assuming they can either win Game 5 and then get another one in Detroit to close it out in six, or re-establish their home dominance in Games 5 and 7 to escape another seven game series. If they drop Game 3 though then they could very easily slide to 3-1 by the time they head home and I don't like their chances of winning three straight including one on the road.

This is true. That said, the Celtics first two rounds haven't been exactly awe inspiring. Personally, I put more merit on how "the big three" played in those two rounds than the regular season, considering all of them have always been stellar when it doesn't matter. The playoffs is a whole different beast, and most championship teams earn it the hard way.

[Sauru]

terrible just terrible

[Andrew]

This is true. That said, the Celtics first two rounds haven't been exactly awe inspiring. Personally, I put more merit on how "the big three" played in those two rounds than the regular season, considering all of them have always been stellar when it doesn't matter. The playoffs is a whole different beast, and most championship teams earn it the hard way.

Agreed, their road record has gone from an unexpected shortcoming to something more worrying, making the split in the first two games more significant than the usual Conference Finals matchup. History isn't on their side but maybe given the combined experience and talents of the Big Three, playing seven game series after seven games series will be how they earn a championship the hard way. A tall order, hardly the perfect scenario but not unfeasible.

I still think Game 3 will be huge for the Celtics, not only in terms of being ahead or behind in the series but pscyhologically too. If they win Game 3 then maybe having broken the jinx they'll be able to take two straight in Detroit or be able to approach a possible Game 6 in the Palace with more confidence. And if nothing else, a split would take back the homecourt advantage where they are 9-1, so in spite of Game 2 they'll probably continue to feel comfortable at home.

[Sauru]

i am inclined to agree with you andrew, i think game 3 is pretty much a must win for them, if they lose they will be behind for the first time and still have the thought that they cant win on the road. if they lose game 3 i see the pistons running away with the series

[c0nr4d]

this is goin great for my boys

the key for b-town to win is the reserves to step up. looks like RayRay is back on track, but the Boston 3 Party is not enuff to beat the D.

it was also great to see chaunce assert himself on O and stuckey's play was quite the surprise.

gotta hold serve now

[Skills]

Stuckey was the obvious X-Factor of the game. If Boston can't step it up and win in Detroit, then a series victory is just around the corner.

[el badman]

but I thought Cassell would prove to be a more valuable player off the bench in the Celtics' postseason run.

Yeah, I thought Cassell was pretty inefficient so far to say the least.

Detroit in 7 for me.

[Matthew]

I think people are underestimating the Celtic's chances of winning in Detroit.

[el badman]

I think people are underestimating the Celtic's chances of winning in Detroit.

I would have thought that too before the playoffs, but I don't think anyone was expecting them to lose so many games in Atlanta and Cleveland.

[Sauru]

Stuckey was the obvious X-Factor of the game. If Boston can't step it up and win in Detroit, then a series victory is just around the corner.

so far i think Mcdyess has played the role of xfactor really well too

[Matthew]

I think people are underestimating the Celtic's chances of winning in Detroit.

I would have thought that too before the playoffs, but I don't think anyone was expecting them to lose so many games in Atlanta and Cleveland.

That really doesn't mean anything though.

[Matt]

Stuckey & McDice have been great so far.....Stuck esp. has been making big time plays.

[Lakeshow109]

As much as id like to see a Laker Celtics final just I dont see them getting by Detriot if Boston cant win a road game thier screwed and the pistons will b beat by my LAkers in the finals

[Lamrock]

Damn... looks like Boston can win on the road. Sauru must be relieved.

Fire Flip!

[The X]

Fire Flip!

I wouldn't blame Flip for the players coming out really flat & being outworked by the C's....

[Lamrock]

I would kinda; but its not just that. He is a bad coach in general.

[Andrew]

Great win for the Celtics, though it almost came undone in the fourth quarter. It's long overdue but it came at the right time, taking back the homecourt advantage and I would suggest inspiring confidence knowing that they are capable of playing well and winning on the road and avoided going down 2-1 with another game in Detroit in a couple of days.