Why Game 7?

No matter what transpires in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarter-finals I can easily say that this has been the most exciting playoff series in NBA history. Over one hundred lead changes, well over fifty ties, and if that wasn't enough SEVEN OVERTIMES (thus far). However, as a Boston Celtics fan this series will not be one I want to remember unless Game 7 ends up in the win column for the home team. As good and exciting as this series has been, I am almost too disappointed to repeat the events on this blog. Harping on missed opportunities and what if questions will not get me or readers anywhere. I will allow myself one complaint and that is with head coach Doc Glen Rivers. Even in the days before the Big Three when the entire Celtic fan base was calling for River's head, I was not one to question his ability as a coach. It was always a look at the lack of talent and experience on the team situation. Yet in this game I felt his distribution of minutes and his lack of using a full pallet of players contributed to the loss. 

Why did Brian Scalabrine play twenty minutes? I do think Scal is a good shooter and has value off the bench, but he hadn't played in over a month and offered very little this game. Why did Stephon Marbury only play eight minutes? What was the point of adding Mikki Moore when you let him play three minutes?  At seven feet tall Moore would have offered you far better defense than Scalabrine and defense would have won this game. The entire series has been a tiresome exchange of leads and high scores, with mostly weak defense and an up-tempo style. I was also wondering why Eddie House was only given ten minutes, but that I can actually understand because of how truly incredible Ray Allen was playing. Paul Pierce was exhausted down the stretch and I think could have used some rest throughout the game, especially because of his offensive struggles. Pierce was an unimpressive 5/13 shooting, including 1/5 from three point range, and made a costly turnover late in the final over time. I dont' blame Pierce for fatigue in a long game (after all the minutes he played during the season) and in a long series, Rivers needs to know when to rest his star. The Celtics could have used a fresher Paul Pierce down the stretch who missed game winning shots in the fourth quarter and in the first overtime period. 

 

It is hard to swallow a loss in which we all witnessed Ray Allen's finest performance of his ongoing illustrious career. An astounding 9/18 from downtown and a career playoff high 51 points were the main highlights of Allen's unforgettable game. However, his clutch shot with eight seconds left in double overtime was the most memorable. It is a hard loss to take for countless reasons besides Allen's wasted excellence, however a win in Game 7 will assuage any disappointments suffered. As we approach Saturday's Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals Seventh Game, I can't help myself wondering why Game 7? Why does such a talented, gritty, veteran, experienced, and Championship caliber team always need a Game 7 victory to sneak out of the first round of the playoffs? Perhaps last year the Celtics were not adjusted to the playoffs after having such a smooth ride through the regular season. Even though they had a far superior bench and a healthy Kevin Garnett, yet still needed the most games ever taken to win an NBA Championship. The previous season had the Celtics go seven games with the lowest playoff seed (eighth) Atlanta Hawks; and now this year a do or die contest with the seventh seed Chicago Bulls. You've still got Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo and you are the defending champions, so why Game 7?

I guarantee the Boston Celtics will win this game at home.