2010 NBA Playoffs: Pressure on the Celtics in Game 6
The scene is all too familiar for the Celtics. In 2009, they had a 3-2 lead in the playoffs against the Magic and they were playing Game 6 in Boston. The Celtics playoff record was perfect when leading 3-2 in a playoff series. They were the defending champions at that time and everyone outside of Orlando expected the Magic to go quietly.
They did quite the opposite as they won Game 6 behind a huge performance by Dwight Howard, and then the Magic dumped the Celtics in Game 7 and advanced to the NBA Finals. Is anyone sensing some déjà vu going on?
Now, it’s 2010 and the Celtics stole two games in Orlando to start the series and the NBA, and their rabid fans already penciled in a Lakers vs. Celtics finals. The Celtics players got cocky and started talking about how they would wrap it up in Boston. The Magic failed to show up for a pivotal Game 3 and were blown out playing with no heart and no desire. In a sense they had one foot in the grave. Then a funny thing happened.
The Magic responded, and Dwight Howard woke up putting up a big night and leading the Magic to an overtime victory in Boston. The win held off an Orlando exit and forced a Game 5. In Game 5, Rashard Lewis busted out of a series long slump and the Magic beat the Celtics with a physical style of play. The Magic pulled off another victory, burning up the nets from three-point range and forced the all too familiar Game 6. Now the pressure is on Boston.
They hated the comparisons to the epic Boston Bruins collapse, but now it seems as though they will just get worse because the scenario is jarringly similar. Another devastating playoff loss after leading 3-0 would send the city of Boston into a state of sports depression. It is also frighteningly similar to the 2009 playoff battle against the Magic when the Celtics had a chance to wrap it up at home in Game 6 and failed. With the momentum firmly in the hands of the Magic, the Celtics have to be feeling the heat.
So who will win Game 6? The Celtics have home court and the Magic have the confidence. The Celtics have to win this game. A trip back to Orlando would be disastrous and almost guaranteed to be a Magic victory and a repeat of 2009. The Celtics are filled with veterans and deep on the bench, but have to win now or the pressure may be too much. One thing for sure, is Game 6 looks like it may be another classic game in a series that is becoming fun to watch.
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