NBA Playoffs 2012: When and Where to Watch Game 5 Action
It's Monday Night and it's "ball night" in the NBA with two Game 5 matchups. That's right, it’s Game 5—not Game 7—that were getting excited about.
And why, you might ask?
Well, unlike Game 7, which has all the drama with the winner moving on and the loser going home, Game 5 has just as much drama while holding out the possibility of more basketball to come.
Game 5 can be the tipping point in any series. According to ESPN, the winner of this pivotal game goes on to win the series 83.3 percent of the time (135-27).
Stats aside, this game is all about momentum. If you’re up 3-1 and you win, you're moving on; if you’re tied and your team prevails, you now take a commanding lead in the series.
Yet even if you’re down 3-1, winning this game gets you back into the series and can provide you with a new-found momentum heading into the next game. Take Game 6 and, as everyone knows, anything can happen in Game 7.
Here is a preview of both of the Game-5 matchups and their TV Schedule.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics – 7:00 p.m. EDT on TNT
After their come-from-behind win at home, the 76ers are looking to build on their momentum and take Game 5 in Boston.
In Game 4, Boston had control in the first half, building a 46-29 halftime lead, but the second half was a different story as the 76ers rallied, outscoring the Celtics 61-37.
Andre Iguodala was clutch for Philadelphia scoring 16 points, including a huge three-pointer with just under 40 seconds to go. The 76ers would end the game on a 9-0 run after a seesaw fourth quarter.
Boston got good production from Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo, but it wasn't enough to stop the 76ers at home.
Game 5 should be just as competitive as the first four games, considering that both Games 1 and 2 were decided by a single point.
These teams are evenly matched, with the young talent of Philadelphia looking to dethrone the experienced veterans of Boston.
For the 76ers to win, they need to start hot; they can't afford another anemic start, especially on the road.
The key for Boston is to get the crowd into the game and get Ray Allen some open looks. In the last two games combined, Allen has scored only eight points on seven shot attempts. ]
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 9:35 p.m. EDT on TNT
Despite the Lakers building a 13-point lead with eight minutes to go, the Thunder stormed back and won Game 4, 103-100. The Thunder closed the game on a 22-8 run and dashed the Lakers hopes of tying the series.
Once again Kobe Bryant did all he could to get the Lakers the win. Kobe topped 35 points for the second straight night, but besides the 18 points from Andrew Bynum and the four three-pointers by Metta World Peace, the Lakers struggled to find their game.
Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant carried the Thunder, scoring 37 and 31 points, respectively. Although the team struggled from behind the arc, it did make the most of its opportunities at the free-throw line (21-25, 84 percent).
Although the Lakers must win Game 5 to stay alive, there is also a lot of pressure on the Thunder. If the Lakers can win in Oklahoma City, they get one more game in Los Angeles.
And never count out the Black Mamba at Staples.
The Lakers need to get more production from Pau Gasol and Bynum if they want to force a Game 6. Despite solid numbers, neither player has really dominated in the first four games of the series.
As for the Thunder, if they can build an early lead and get the crowd into the game, then it's on to the Western Conference Finals for OKC.
