Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics: Final Predictions for Game 7

Well, it's here. The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics will play Game 7 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston tonight at 8 PM EST on TNT.

We've been over the fact that the Celtics have been inconsistent. We've been over the fact that they haven't been playing up to par, that they have a multitude of injuries that would likely cripple any other team. Despite all of that, all Boston has to do is win one game to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Here are my predictions as to what I think will happen tonight.

1. Paul Pierce Will Go Off

We've seen this scenario before. A big game for the C's, and Pierce steps up and puts forth a monster performance. That is what I believe will happen tonight.

Pierce may not be 100 percent, but he is a killer, and these are the types of games where "The Truth" shines most. I think Doc Rivers will make a concerted effort to get Pierce going early, and if he gets off to a hot start, look out—we may be witnesses to a vintage Pierce outing.

How many points will Pierce score? I'm thinking over 30.

2. Rajon Rondo Will Post a Triple-Double

After an abysmal Game 6 performance, Rondo will need to be big in Game 7, and how often does Rondo have two poor outings in a row? Not very.

I expect that we will see angry Rondo tonight, the Rondo that single-handedly dictates the pace of the game and puts up numbers that make you ask yourself, "Is this guy really a 6'1" point guard?"

So, what kind of numbers will Rondo post? I'm thinking a triple-double, and not one of those of the vanilla 10-10-10 variety. No, I'm saying something like 17 points, 19 assists, and 15 rebounds. Does Rondo have to put up those kinds of stats for the Celtics to win? No, but I think he will.

Also, perhaps even more important for Rajon than filling up the box score is playing sound defense. The All-Defensive second teamer was repeatedly torched by Jrue Holiday and Lou Williams in Game 6, and that is something we are not accustomed to seeing from the normally terrific defensive point guard. I expect Rondo to do a much better job disrupting Philadelphia's backcourt in Game 7, forcing turnovers and getting out in transition.

3. Kevin Garnett Will Be a Monster on the Glass and Defensively

I really think Pierce is going to carry the scoring load for the C's tonight, and that will allow Garnett to focus more on defense and rebounding.

While Boston obviously needs K.G. to score, it is more important that he locks down the paint and prevents the 76ers from getting any second chance opportunities. I expect that he will make life hell for Elton Brand and the rest of Philly's big men down low, and I don't think we will see them have many good looks at the basket.

There is a very good chance we see Garnett pull down 15-plus rebounds and block four or five shots tonight. Keep an eye out for it, because I think it is going to happen.

4. Mickael Pietrus Will Be Key off the Bench

Given how poorly Ray Allen has been playing due to the bone spurs in his ankle, Boston needs someone to come off the bench and provide the team with quality minutes. Who better to do that than Pietrus?

I'm not saying Pietrus needs to drop 20, but he needs to come in, knock down a couple of threes and play stingy defense. I think you're going to see him score in double-figures tonight, and if he can do that, I don't see how the Celtics lose this game with the likely production they are going to get from Pierce, Garnett, and Rondo.

5. The Celtics Will Get Out to a Big Lead Early and Won't Look Back

In Game 4, Boston took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, only to see Philadelphia rally for the win. I expect to see the C's get out to another big lead tonight, but this time, they will maintain a vice-grip on it.

Pierce, Garnett, and Allen know this is their last shot. If they lose tonight, that's it. The Big Three era is over. That is why I anticipate Boston coming out of the gates on fire, and it would not shock me in the least to see the Celtics score over 30 points in the first period.

6. The C's Win Big

I think Boston wins this game very comfortably, so comfortably that the game will be well in hand midway through the third quarter. The Celtics have played in five Game 7s before, so they know exactly what to expect and how to get the job done. The Sixers? They are young and inexperienced, and I don't care how well they've played throughout the first six games of this series—Game 7 is a different animal.

I always compare Game 7s in basketball to closing out a game in baseball. That ninth inning is absolutely nothing like those first eight, and I'm pretty sure every closer who has ever played the game will attest to this. Those final three outs are the hardest to get, just like a Game 7 is the hardest to win.

The C's win this one by 20-plus and move on to play the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals.