5/11/10: Celtics @ Cavs, 2nd Round, Game 5

[UConn Celtics Fan]

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n35/mlmdaniels/NBA/celticscavsplayoffs.jpg

GAME 5
Series Tied 2-2
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
8:00 PM Eastern
TNT/WEEI/ESPN Radio

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[CaptChris]

WoW! PP can score. Of course it took him 15 shots to get 14 Pts.. He is up to 40% shooting. Ray took 7 shots for 13 Pts.. Kg is 5 - 9.

Rondo is WHAT? Sure isn't the "D". Just as it isn't the "D" on Lebron. Should be an interesting 2nd half.

[CaptChris]

Congratulations to PP. He shot like Antoine Walker, but rebounded, got assists, drew charges. 21 Pts. on 21 shots -- 9 -- 21. In the 1st 4 games he didn't rebound and push it.

KG and Ray shot lights out. Ray put the dagger in the heart with 2 "3"'s to start the 3rd pleriod. Rondo went off for 16 Pts. in the 2nd half. Great hustle by Glen DaAvis. He was this games Tony Allen off the bench.

Hope we saved something for Thursday.

[setshot33]

Great all around effort tonight!

The guys took turns lifting each other up.

KG got us started.

Ray kept it going.

Rondo picked us up in the 3rd.

BBD picked us up in the 4th.

Then you sprinkle PP in throughout the game....and BTW, it was nice that he finally made an appearance tonight.

It all adds up to a great win! We have to come out with the same kind of energy in Game 6 and put these guys away.

[Celtics17]

Wow!!!

Captain Chris, I'm glad you were looking critically at some of the negatives in this one.

Paul Pierce looks a little creaky out there, but that is one savvy, mentally tough dude. Man, I'm glad he's our captain, Captain.

[LordRC]

As if I didn't know it already, I hate my shift change. It keeps me from watching the end of games.

That being said, getting up 3-2 in this series is well beyond my expectations because the team didn't play with their full attention during the season. I don't believe in the "flip a switch" theory, but they are making it look like there's some truth to it with how well they're playing defense.

I'm starting to believe there's truth to the LeBron's elbow storyline, but if you're playing, then you have no excuse. He could man up and take it to the rim instead of settling for all those jumpers.

I'm already thinking about avenging last year's loss to Orlando, but that's getting ahead of the playoffs. I need to chill.

--LordRC

[CaptChris]

Celtics17: Did Lebron STINK last night? Sure did. No Excuses. Did PP STINK for 4 games? Sure did. No Excuses.

If telling the truth about THE TRUTH is Bad, why bother watching the games? PP has played very poorly. His 12 T/O's on the same DUMB ball-handling moves is certainly not what you expect from a former All-Star, with all this play-off experience. His lack of effort was obvious to all but his biggest fans. He didn't rebound or hustle.

Last night he did. Praise him for his effort. He still shot poorly, needing 21 shots to score 21 Pts.. FACT! Same thing the game before for Ray. He was 8 -- 21 for his 18 Pts.. He shot poorly. No Excuses.

I hope he is on Fire on Thursday. Just play with energy and SMARTS. That's what will Win the game.

[OB- wan]

Orlando will be tough should the C's get there. I predicted the C's would get past Cle and lose to the Magic and I hope I was wrong but I think the Magic are going to be a big problem for whomever faces them in the ECF.

I think the Celtics had a plan this year and followed it and I'm glad they didn't give in to all the chicken little's in Boston crying about how they looked in the regular season. Man up, girls. 75% of you wusses were saying they were going out in round one. Honestly I wasn't even paying attention during the regular season because it really meant nothing. I think they handled what they needed to by getting home court in round 1 and beyond that just stay healthy for the playoffs. There was no need to kill yourself trying to chase Cleveland for the best record and at that point, why worry about getting the 2nd or 3rd seed.

[Celtics17]

Captain Chris,

It's a team game, and you have to play on both ends of the floor. Clearly Paul Pierce has struggled offensively throughout the series, but all I've tried to do is point out many of the things he's been doing throughout that don't show up in the box score.

All I'm looking for is good team ball, and stifling D that results in wins for our club. That's what we are seeing right now, and I'm enjoying it. When you have four offensive weapons of the caliber of our top four, I don't worry about which guys have big night's in the box score, as long as everyone is on the same page and playing tough Celtics ball.

[hurdler]

Great game by Ray, who has been consistently good in the playoffs. I didn't think he had it in him this year, but he proved he can still bring it. He has kind of found a new niche of being a glue player that can provide scoring when needed and fill the gaps by playing with the bench, an occasional drive, handling the ball when rondo sits. It looks like a great move to not trade ray; I never though I'd say that! Great team game last night.

[CaptChris]

Hurdler: That's what got my goat. The Ray can't play birds. Trade him for a pair of dirty socks. Every other player had excuses. KG has a bad knee. PP was hurt. Perk had a bad shoulder. So any "poor play" by the resident Heroes was Excusable. Check how well these guys did for the season.

Ray was too old. His skills were gone. Just like he was a Bum, when we Won in 2008. I didn't hear it was a TEAM game then. It was Ray was a dud.

Wonder how PP's EGO would have handled the talk of trading him at the deadline. You know when he was playing like crap. Or Perk's Jan. & Feb.when he was terrible. Could he handle the pressure of all the negative rumors?

Strange Ray took it all, and didn't weep and cry. He just went out and played better than anyone since the break.

He is still a class act with lots of skills left. Just ask the Cavs?

[hurdler]

Capt,

OK that's enough of the Tony+Ray lovefest between us. Don't make me suggest signing Antoine in the offseason--You know I'd do it.

hurdler

[texascelticsfan]

Judging on Butler's/Jamison's performance in the playoffs, I 100% agree with Hurdler. Ray's performance combined with the expiring contract is so much more valuable. I hope they bring him back, but I hope even more he give's a hometown discount because the Salary Cap is not going to be as high next year with 3 sweeps in the Second Round, that playoff revenue was key to getting a higher cap.

[texascelticsfan]

Based on the way the Press is torching the Crabs right now, I fully expect them to come out guns blazing (esp Delonte and his shotgun/guitar case full of shells! j/k) and Game 6 to be a battle.

KG is saying the right things, complacency and a return to Cleveland is the last thing this team needs.

[Rondo'd]

Ray's performance combined with the expiring contract is so much more valuable. I hope they bring him back, but I hope even more he give's a hometown discount because the Salary Cap is not going to be as high next year with 3 sweeps in the Second Round, that playoff revenue was key to getting a higher cap.

I'd think he would take a cut, he's said a couple times this season he'd like to retire a Celtic, so we'll see.

[CaptChris]

hustler: Can't you see it next year? Antoine coaching RAY on how to take "3"'s, and how to "wiggle", and lose $1,000,000 at Foxwoods. OOPS!

Then Rasheed giving Perk his 2nd year of "How to be Successful Professional Basketball Player". Or how to get Danny to give you $16,000,000 when you have nothing in the tank.