Jun 12, 2008 11:04 am US/Eastern
Column: Why Celtics Will Win Game 4
Reporting
Dan Roche
LOS ANGELES (WBZ) ―
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Kevin Garnett and Doc Rivers of the Boston Celtics talk on the bench during practice at the Staples Center Wednesday. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images)
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images
I think we'll head into Sunday's Game 5 with the Lakers facing a 3 games to 1 deficit and must-win situation.
Why? Because Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Eddie House, and Kendrick Perkins have all said that the Celtics are simply the better team and I agree with them.
I have watched the Celtics for 23 postseason games. I have watched them improve as each series goes by. Remember, this is a team that was "thrown together" last off-season by Danny Ainge. They have had to get to know each other (and Doc Rivers) in a hurry.
They have learned what it takes to win on the road. It took them six tries, but they got it right. They have learned how to handle a hostile road crowd. They have learned what it takes to win crucial games and must-win games. Game Fives and Game Sevens. They have learned how to put away a team on the road and win a series.
They have learned each other. What KG likes to do offensively and defensively. Where Ray Allen needs the ball to get in a shooting groove. How Paul plays defensively against the greats in the game. They have learned how to play with injuries in the playoffs. They have learned that their teammates are going to play injured and will give everything they have. They have learned how to handle "runs" made by other teams and how to respond.
And now they have learned that they are the better team in this series. They have played the Lakers five times this season and beaten them 4 times. (Most importantly they are 2-1 in the playoffs vs L.A.) Boston went 25-5 against the Western Conference this season. They know the "style" of Western teams.
They also know how badly "they" played in Game Three. Kevin Garnett was 6-for-21. Paul Pierce was 2-14. Rajon Rondo got hurt. They all had a bit of "jet-lag". They know Kobe had a Kobe Bryant MVP game. They watched another Laker "go off" in Sasha Vujacic. They saw L.A. be the aggressor and dominate the free throw line. They know what to expect with the L.A. celebrity-filled crowd.
But, now they feel they are ready. Ready to claim Game 4 and take complete control of the series. They are not thinking beyond that. Game 5 will be here soon enough. And, maybe Game 6 and Game 7.
But tonight in Game 4 Boston sees what it takes to beat this Laker team.
They know what to do and how to do it. Yes, they have another injury in Rajon Rondo and his ankle, but they feel they can overcome that.
Time to watch and enjoy. It may be a nail-biter, it may be a blowout, but enjoy.
The Boston Celtics will win Game 4.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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