NBA Playoffs 2012: Depleted Celtics Will Cruise Past 76ers in Game 7
The Philadelphia 76ers have been a cute story this year, but their fairy tale playoff run will end tonight in Boston.
The NBA is not a place for Cinderellas, and although they're going to be short-handed, there is no way Kevin Garnett and the championship-tested Celtics let this one slip away.
Garnett has been a monster on both ends of the floor this series. He's averaging 21 points and 10.6 rebounds through six games, while posting a ridiculous plus/minus of plus-55.
He's also doing his usual routine on defense: barking out orders, swatting shots, beating his chest and being incredibly pleased with himself after goaltending every post-whistle shot attempt.
Of course, Garnett has struggled at times against Philly.
Lavoy Allen, the Sixers' unheralded big man, has been effective in slowing down KG at times, but you can expect that success to end in Game 7. Garnett has been rejuvenated this postseason, and with an extra day of rest, I'm expecting him to put on a clinic against the 23-year-old Allen.
Garnett also has the benefit of falling back on his battle-tested teammates.
Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo have combined to play 689 career minutes in Game 7's, while the Sixers as a whole have combined for just 59.
You can bet that experience will pay off tonight.
We have no idea how Lou Williams or Jrue Holiday or the walking insane asylum that is Evan Turner will react under the pressure.
We do, however, know how the Celtics will react.
Rondo will control the tempo and find a perfect balance between attacking and distributing. Paul Pierce will connect on some timely elbow jumpers. Ray Allen may even rise out of his corpse-like state to bury a couple heart-breaking three-pointers.
And most importantly, Garnett will rise to the occasion.
With his future in doubt, this could be KG's last chance to make a deep playoff run while wearing his beloved green and white Celtics uniform.
There's no way he lets Boston lose at home to the eighth-seeded Sixers.
