Celtics-Cavs: Tired Of The Waiting, Ready For Game Seven To Begin

Game Seven. 

As a Celtics fan, when I think Game Seven, very positive memories come flashing to my brain.

1981—Celtics finishing off the come back from being down three games to one against Dr. J and the Philadelphia 76ers.  The lasting image from this game is Bird racing down court and banking the shot off the glass in the fourth quarter.

1984—Celtics wrap up title No. 15 at home against the Lakers in a grueling series.  The Lakers led 2-1 before Bird called out his teammates, leading to an overtime win at The Forum in Game Four. 

1987—Eastern Conference Finals against the Pistons.  This series is remembered for Bird stealing the Ball ("Thomas wants to get the ball in quickly, does to Laimbeer, stolen by Bird, on the cut to D.J.").  That was game five.  Game seven was a 117-114 Celtics win, marred by Adrian Dantley and Vinnie Johnson banging heads, both having to leave the game.

1988—Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.  Celtics-Hawks.  Bird-Dominique.  The Duel.  No other words needed.

The other Game Seven from my younger years that stands out was a Game Seven from 1992 in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.  Boston lost in what turned out to be Larry Bird's final game for the Celtics.  The opponent—the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Obviously, those were two completely different teams. But I have been thinking a lot about that series over the last 36 hours or so. 

Tip-off for this year's Game Seven between Boston and Cleveland is about 90 minutes away.  By now, we all know what has transpired in the postseason for Boston.  Unbeatable at home, unable to win on the road.

We know the fear every Boston fan has—what if LeBron goes off?  What if he pulls off a performance like he did last year, on the road, in Detroit, in game five? 

To paraphrase Ivan Drago, if he does, he does.  James is an elite talent and is no doubt capable of winning a game, and even a series, all by himself.  If he has another historical game like he did a year ago against Detroit, you just have to tip your hat.

But the Celtics haven't let him do that in six games.  He'll get his points later on today, for sure, but they won't be easy. 

What will the Celtics do? The big three have been very consistent in this series. Not always good, but consistent. 

KG has been good for 20-10, Pierce about 15 while playing the best defense of his life to go with 3-4 headscratching turnovers per game.  Ray Allen, with the exception of the third quarter of game two, has been taking up space.

What will the other players contribute?

The offense has been the problem in this series for Boston (understatement of the year?). The Celtics start KG, Pierce, Ray Allen, Rondo, and Perkins.  Pierce has his hands full with LeBron, and Rondo and Perkins are not great offensive players. 

They need Ray Allen.  Without him, the starting offense is almost playing 1.5 on 5. The Celtics need Ray Allen, but I don't think it is anything anyone is expecting.  If he does, it will be a bonus. 

The player who must play well is Rondo.  This is very simplistic.  In Game Five he was great, and the Celtics overcame a double-digit deficit to win the game.  In Game Six he was a non-factor.  If Rondo is aggressive, and can make a few jumpers, it changes everything.

Where has the Celtics offense gone?  Only twice during the regular season were the C's held to under 80 points. At times this series, it has appeared that it would take Cleveland not taking to the court for a quarter to give Boston a chance to crack 80.

During the regular season, Boston averaged 100.5 points per game.  That number drops to 91.2 in the playoffs, and 81.8 in the series with the Cavs.  A closer look shows the Celtics averaging 87.0 ppg in the three wins over Cleveland and a Mike Fratello-era Cavs-like 76.7 ppg in the three losses.  

The defense has been great all series, except in Game Three.  I know the Green will come to play today.  If they lose it won't be because of effort, energy, or defense.  It will be one of two things: LeBron is arguably the greatest player in the world, or it continued to be 48 minutes of pulling teeth on offense.

During Game Seven against Atlanta a few Sundays ago, I had some nerves due mostly to being an overwhelming favorite and fearing, "what if the 66-win Celtics lost to the Hawks in the first round?"  But for the most part, I was confident.

Today is different.  I don't know what to expect.  One through 12, the Celtics have the superior roster.  Cleveland's 2-12 is better than most people give them credit, though, and they of course have one of the game's premier guys. 

Everything Cleveland does revolves around James. The question to be answered in a few hours is, can a team play as a team, like it did for 82 games, beat a one-man gang surrounded by decent supporting parts? 

I have no idea.  We will soon find out though.  To quote former Celtics studio analyst Jimmy Myers, "Time to go downtown and get the job done."