Celtics Will Surpise On The Road Tonight
I took the first loss of my playoff game predictions last night, thanks to Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat deciding to show up in Atlanta. I can thank Alonzo Mourning, who Wade gave credit to for giving him an inspirational pre-game talk.
‘Zo was always one of my favorites, so I can’t be mad at that.
As I look forward to tonight’s game though, there will be some angry people. Chicago looks to continue surprising everyone with their play against the defending world champs.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks hope some home cooking will help them get back on track, and Utah is trying to save their season. Two home teams will make their fans happy tonight, one will not.
Celtics vs. Bulls, 8 p.m. EST—TNT
Sometimes in life you have to dig down deep, and when all signs point to you not being able to do something, you make everyone a believer.
No, I’m not a motivational speaker, but I never underestimate the heart of a champion.
In this pivotal game of this series, Chicago is in a difficult position. A win would make them, and their fans, feel that they have firm control on this series.
A loss, and things look much different.
Boston, on paper, should not win this game. The Celtics lost yet another player when Leon Powe went down with a torn ACL. However, good news came for Boston today when reserve center Brian Scalabrine was cleared to play.
For some strange reason, I see Boston playing their best game of the series on the road, when all the chips are against them, tonight.
I think Doc Rivers should play a few YouTube clips in his pre-game speech to his team:
1. Rudy T—Never Underestimate The Heart of a Champion
2. Ric Flair—To Be The Man, You Gotta Beat The Man
In Game 2, Ray Allen answered the bell. Tonight, Paul Pierce will have to as well. Celtics, somehow, someway, scrape out a road win.
Boston 92, Chicago 87.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks, 8:30 p.m.—NBA TV
The Spurs rode the coattails of Tony Parker in Game 2, leading to a San Antonio victory. But Dallas is headed home now, and will look to set the tempo early in their game.
Spurs fans know Parker may not be able to drive down the lane at will as easy on the road as he did at home, so role players like Michael Finley and Bruce Bowen will have to pick up the slack offensively.
The key tonight for Dallas is simple: control the tempo, play from ahead, and keep the bigs out of foul trouble. Figuring out how to defend Parker is something Dallas hasn't been able to solve for years now, so I dont expect them to come up with a quick fix in a week.
With all that said, Dallas wins a close one tonight.
Dallas 102, San Antonio 95.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz, 10:30 p.m.—TNT
The Lakers have yet to play a complete game, and in one of the most hostile environments in the league, I don’t expect it to happen tonight.
Coach Jerry Sloan knows this is the true elimination game for Utah. If they go down three games to none, the series will be over. Los Angeles, meanwhile, will look to continue their hot first-half shooting on the road.
Deron Williams will get his numbers, but tonight the difference will be in the paint. Expect Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap to combine to outplay Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum in their first road test of the postseason, with a Utah victory to follow.
The Jazz will not win this series, but they will make a good showing tonight. A post-game interview of a pissed-off Kobe seems inevitable.
Utah 116, LA Lakers 103.
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