Game 6: Pregame Notes

Just two days after the Celtics handled the Knicks in Game 5 at MSG, the C's return to the TD Garden tonight with the same task at hand: win or go home. Both teams have a ton of pressure on their shoulders coming into tonights contest. For the Celtics, obviously, a loss would be the end of their season. On the other hand for New York, a loss would send the city in a state of "panic" as Knicks guard Iman Shumpert said.

"People are going to panic," Iman Shumpert said. "Media, fans, everybody's going to panic and stuff like that. We can't do that. We've just got to go play basketball."

"We got up 3-0, everyone was on the bandwagon and on our side," Tyson Chandler said. "Now we're expected [to win]. The thing we got to do is win Game 6 and move on. It would have been great to sweep them or win in five. Now we got to finish the job in six." 

I've got to say that Tyson Chandler (Jason Kidd as well) have probably been the least annoying Knick players this series. Not talking a bunch of non sense, just going out and doing what their team needs of them.

Back to the topic at hand, here are a few keys for the Celtics to extend their season and force a Game 7 in New York.

• Defending Carmelo Anthony - Brandon Bass, Paul Pierce, and Jeff Green each have taken their turns during each game defending the NBA's leading scorer. Though Pierce and Green have done very well defending Anthony, Brandon Bass' size and speed on the defensive end has been the most effective, forcing 'Melo into some of the worst shooting performances of his playoff career. There is no doubt in my mind that Doc will have Bass defending Anthony for the majority of the game. Who would've thought Brandon Bass would be the "Melo-stopper"!?
• Rebounding - The Knicks have out-rebounded the Celtics in this series 212-199, but Kevin Garnett has been the series' best individual rebounder. Grabbing 14 boards per game in the first five games, the Celtics center has shown no signs of letting up. Lets hope he continues his dominance on the glass tonight.
• Reserves - In Game 5 Doc used only two reserves throughout the game, none of them being big men. JET, of course, and swing man/point guard Terrence Williams. The C's have needed a ball handler and distributor all series long and have seemed to found one they can trust in Williams. T. Will definitely earned more court time with his impressive effort in Game 5. 
• Home Court Advantage - The TD Garden WILL be loud tonight. The Celtics have to feed off of the energy in the building as they did in the Game 4 victory if they want to stay alive in these playoffs.

Put your hard hats on! Lets Go Celtics!