Celts Time to Shine

Posted by Mike Giardi May 2, 2009 at 6:12 pm

Here’s the blueprint for a Celtics victory in Game 7 tonight against the Chicago Bulls. I’ve been preaching this stuff all series, but Doc hasn’t always been listening. I think he’s still mad at me for thinking I’m the one who caused him to get fined 25,000 on Tuesday. Doc, I told ya, I didn’t ask that question. I was the one pounding you about the bench (I know, I’m such a jerk).

1. Get Ray Allen involved early, just like Game 6. He needs to establish a rhythm. The C’s can’t wait an entire half to get him going, as they’ve done a couple times in this series.
2. Tell Rajon Rondo to take it to the hole. For whatever reason, Rondo essentially eliminated that from his game Thursday. When you can get there at will – and have all series – why stop now?
3. Pretend that Tony Allen doesn’t exist, except at the end of quarters 1 through 3. The guy remains a nightmare in late-game situations, even though he mostly did a nice job on Ben Gordon at the tail end of Game 5. I have no desire to see him with the basketball, unless he’s on someone else’s team.
4. Get something – anything – from Eddie House tonight. I know this is partially related to Stephon Marbury’s continued cluelessness, and also because House can’t defend any of the three guards getting serious P.T. for Chicago, but the streaky shooter needs to knock a few down tonight. It would go a long way toward creating a little breathing room for the starters.
5. Play a little defense. They did it in Game 3 and won going away. They did it again down the stretch in Game 5 and – no surprise – won again. That’s been this team’s calling card when at their best. Drum up a solid effort at that end of the floor and we’ll be talking about the Orlando Magic and round two tomorrow.