Game 5 Preview: Celtics Look to Bounce Back from Game 4 Collapse

The Boston Celtics had the Philadelphia 76ers up against the ropes in Game 4. But then, for some inexplicable reason, they stopped throwing punches, and the 76ers climbed their way back into the game, hung around and stole Game 4 from underneath the Celtics' noses to tie this Eastern Conference Semifinals series at two games apiece.

Now, Boston returns home looking to regain its edge in the series and go to Philadelphia with an opportunity to close out the Sixers in Game 6.

To be quite frank, this series really should be over already, as the C's should have been able to sweep Philadelphia. Yet here the Celtics are, facing a huge Game 5, and how many times have we said that since Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen were acquired in 2007? An awful lot; that's for sure.

There were a multitude of reasons as to why Boston could not finish off the Sixers in Philly on Friday night. I could go through all of them now, but instead, I'll just focus on what the Celtics need to do to grab this series by the throat on Monday night.

Five Keys to Success

1. Keep the 76ers Out of Transition

If they've been told once, if they've been told twice, if they've been told five million times, the key to beating Philadelphia is forcing it to generate offense from the half-court set. When you do that to the 76ers, they tend to get very flustered, let the shot clock run all the way down and force bad, contested shots. Boston allowed the Sixers to get their fast-break game going in the second half of Game 4, and that was key in blowing what was an 18-point third-quarter lead.

And how do you keep Philly (or any team, for that matter) out of transition? Let's go to key No. 2. 

2. Take Care of the Basketball

The Celtics turned the ball over far too much in Game 4, and that wasn't just in the second half. Boston was also rather careless in the first 24 minutes, and had it taken better care of the ball then, it probably would have built an even bigger halftime lead and would not have been in a position to blow it late.

When you turn the ball over against the 76ers, you are playing right into their hands, as that is when they can get out in transition and score easy buckets. If you prevent Philadelphia from scoring fast-break points, chances are, you will win the game.

3. Rebound, Rebound, Rebound

Boston allowed 17 offensive rebounds in Game 4. That is absolutely ridiculous, especially considering that the Sixers are not exactly a big team. The Celtics must keep Philadelphia's second-chance opportunities to a minimum in Game 5, as the 76ers used offensive rebounds for quick scores in the second half on Friday night. As soon as one of Philly's players gets a shot up, every player on the court for the C's must find a Sixer body and stick to it. Really, guys, boxing out isn't that difficult.

4. Establish Garnett in the Post Early

Well, Boston did it again in Game 4. Actually, it would be better to say it didn't do it. The Celtics established Garnett in the post in Games 1 and 3, and surprise, surprise, they won both games. In Game 2, Boston started going to K.G. down low too little, too late, and it lost. In Game 4, it didn't do it at all, and once again, it lost. Garnett was getting some shots, but they were all from the perimeter.

What happened to the play calls of getting Garnett the ball in the post and letting him go to work from there? The 76ers absolutely cannot deal with K.G. on the low block, regardless of how effective they think Lavoy Allen has been on him.

5. Get Out and Run

This might seem strange given the fact that Philadelphia actually wants the game to be sped up, but the Celtics are at their best when they can mix things up offensively. When they get out on the break, it opens up their half-court offense, as Rajon Rondo keeps the opposing defense off balance.

The C's gave the 76ers a taste of their own medicine in Game 3, as they ran Philly ragged in the open court, thanks much in part to Rondo's dazzling display of on-point passes and finishes at the rim. If Boston can score in transition, as well as get a nice rhythm going in the half-court set, the Sixers have no chance.

Breakout Candidate: Ray Allen

Logic would tell you that either Paul Pierce or Garnett would be the obvious choice here, as both players have done it so many times in the past and have each taken over games to carry the Celtics to wins this postseason. However, Allen is long overdue for a big game. He scored 17 points in a losing effort in Game 2, but other than that, Allen has been largely ineffective in this year's playoffs, and that, of course, has a lot to do with the bone spurs he is dealing with in his right ankle.

Keep this in mind, though, Philadelphia is likely going to be so concerned with shutting down Garnett early by sending double teams his way that it may leave Allen open on the perimeter, and everyone knows that all Ray Ray needs to do is see one three-pointer fall through, and it could be lights out for the rest of the night.

Look for Boston to try to get Allen going off of misdirections and run him through some screens. Also, keep an eye out for Allen on the break. Often, Rondo likes to find Allen on the wing when the Celtics get out in transition.

This may be a bold prediction, given Allen's recent struggles, but I have a gut feeling that he is going to bust out in a big way in Game 5. The C's need him, if not for now, but for the upcoming rounds of the playoffs, where the opponents get even tougher.

Something to Keep in Mind

For the first time in these playoffs, Boston has gotten an extra day off in between games. That could end up paying huge dividends, taking into consideration that Pierce's knee appears to be getting better and better and Allen could really use some extra time to rest that sore ankle. The Celtics should come out of the gates refreshed on Monday night, and we may see big performances by each member of the Big Three because of it.

Prediction

I think we all know how the C's are by now. They make you sweat, make you worry, make you wonder what the heck is going on, but then, when their backs are against the wall and they need a win, they come out firing and, generally, do not let their fans down. As a matter of fact, in the Big Three era, seven times the Celtics have gone into a Game 5 tied 2-2. All seven times, they have emerged victorious. That is why I expect a Boston win in Game 5.

I will even go as far to say that I expect the Celtics to blow out the 76ers on Monday night. I don't think any of us can really even imagine how angry Boston is after squandering that big lead in Game 4, and the C's always seem to be at their best when they are angry.

I am not going to predict the score, but I will say that I expect Boston to win by double-digits, perhaps by 20-plus. The C's know what is at stake here, and I highly doubt they are about to let the young Sixers stand in their way of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Celtics will win Game 5. Big.