Sixers-Celtics: Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 5

Well, somehow, someway, the Philadelphia 76ers are two wins away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the 2001 season when Allen Iverson and Dikembe Mutumbo brought a bunch of scrubs all the way to the NBA Finals. The Sixers had high hopes heading into this season, to finish above .500 for the first time in years, and they did that. They upset the top seeded, Derrick Rose-less Chicago Bulls in the first round of the playoffs. Plenty of people only accredit the injuries the Bulls racked up during that series, but the Sixers still played well and did end it in exciting fashion. They now find themselves essentially in a three game series with the arch rival Boston Celtics. The fact they are even here is incredible, unbelievable and inspiring. But what needs to happen in Game 5 to give them a chance to clinch this series at home on Wednesday and find themselves four wins away from the NBA Finals?

Alot.



The Celtics collapsed at the end of Game 4, a game that looked to be wrapped up by halftime. The Sixers had one of the better second halves of basketball that I have seen in a while on Friday night, whether it was more of a comeback on their part or a travesty on the Celtics part. Either way, Boston is a veteran and experianced team that will not go away quietly, and will not be happy about the fact they are not up 3-1 in the series. They are also a team playing on their home court, the not so silent or welcoming TD Garden. Philadelphia can not find themselves not making shots and down double digits early like they did in Game 4, because they will not pull off the same miracle comeback again, and they will not do it in Boston. Andre Igoudala needs to start draining his shots, as he was almost invisible in Game 4. If he is scoring and scoring early in Game 5, Boston could be in trouble.

The age factor should not matter at all in this game, as the two days off is plenty of rest for the veterans who really obviously want to win this series. Kevin Garnett has looked like a man on a mission, and a clone of his 2003 form. He does not look like the KG who just turned 36. The Sixers need to take him out of the equation, as the bench for Boston has not proven it can do much of anything so far in this series. Aside from Paul Pierce and KG, as well as Rondo at least 85 percent of the time, not a single Celtic has been a consistent threat this series. No one is even close to being called that. Ray Allen hasn't done much of anything, Brandon Bass has been in foul trouble, Michael Pietrus has hit big three's at big times, but thats about it. This team is not deep, and Philly needs to use its deepness to its advantage.

The Sixers can absolutely pull this win off, and give themselves the oppurtunity to win the series in front of what will surely be a raucous home crowd for Game 6. They need to remember to play defense for a full 48 minutes, as they forgot in Game 3. They need to knock down open shots, as they could not do until the fourth quarter of Game 4. But most importantly, they need to believe that they can do this. Boston believes it can do this, and sometimes that is all that matters in the playoffs. Boston is the better team, but they do not always put that on the court. Philadelphia is young and and confident, and that could be enough.