Paul Pierce's 31 points coupled with Nate Robinson's 13 off the bench led the Celtics to an impressive 96-84 victory over the Magic, advancing the Green to their second finals appearance in three years.
Doc Rivers was right. This starting five has NEVER lost a series. And they don't look like they're about to, either.
No matter who the Celtics play next thursday night, they have a great chance of becoming champions. Most fans want the Lakers, hoping for a chance of thrashing them for a second time in three years. David Stern and his entourage of execs want the Lakers, for obvious marketing purposes. TV and media outlets want the Lakers, in hopes of killer ratings and creating more NBA buzz.
But who do the Celtics want?
They should want the Lakers, and you can bet that they do. A second chance of beating them would be more than thrilling and satisfying -- it is what the Celtics do. Historically, this is the kind of series that makes sports so great. The Lakers are also defending champions. After the Celtics beat them in six games in 2008, the Lakers rebounded and took down Orlando last June to get Phil Jackson his tenth ring and Kobe Bryant his fourth.
Shaq, tell me how my ass tastes.
But the Lakers represent everything the Celtics aren't. They aren't physical and don't play the same blue collar style of basketball the Celtics do. Bynam's inability to stay on the court coupled with a weak bench add up to more reasons why the Celtics have a great chance against this Laker squad. The Suns could be a tougher matchup -- they are scrappy and quick -- the type of team that has given the Celtics problems throughout the regular season.
But the regular season is certainly a thing of the past. This Celtics team has clearly started a brand new season. This does not look like a team destined to lose. As they were chanting once again at the Garden last night: Beat L.A.
JMO
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