Time to step up: Game 3 Preview

Posted by Brian Robb on Apr 23, 2009 16890 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2009%2F04%2F23%2Ftime-to-step-up-game-3-preview%2FTime+to+step+up%3A+Game+3+Preview2009-04-23+18%3A32%3A32Brian+Robbhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D1689

Please join us at Celtics Hub this evening for a live blog of all of tonight’s action starting at 8pm EST.

Well as much as it pains me to say it, tonight will likely be the defining game of this series. If the Celtics win, they regain their home court advantage and can go into game 4 playing a little more loose knowing their margin of error is a bit larger. However if they fall tonight, the pressure squarely returns to their shoulders to avoid a 3-1 deficit heading back Boston.

As great as the first two games were, tonight I feel like will be the game that sets the tone for the rest of this series. Despite their improved road play at the end of last year, valid questions remain about this KG-less team’s ability to play well against elite competition on the road. This team will have to step up tonight to answer those concerns, quiet the critics and deflate what is a very confident (rightfully so) Bulls team.

A couple things to look for tonight:

Paul Pierce breakout game:
The talking heads have been out in full force recently about Pierce’s below average play in the first 2 games. He’s hurt! He’s tired! There are all kinds of excuses trying to explain his lackluster performances. Personally I agree with our friends over at Celticsblog in not being worried at all about the Captain. The guy has had stretches like this all year where he looks off for a game or two. The guy however knows when to pick his spots. He can’t do it all every game in a 7 game series, he’s too old for that.

Paul also realizes though that the time this team needs him to carry them the most is in tough road matchups. A friendly reminder of this was given the last week of the regular season in Philly when he exploded with a 31 point performance on 12/16 shooting to carry this squad to victory. Rondo and Ray carried the load the last two games. I expect Paul to step up and take the reigns this evening.

Eddie House’s shooting:
The bench has caught a lot of flack in the past few days for their play in the 2nd quarter of game 2. The blame has been divvied between the newcomers, Mikki and Stephon for their inability to produce, but one factor has seen to been overlooked from that unit’s lackluster play: Eddie hasn’t shot well. He has gone 3/12 from the field in these past two games, including 2/7 from 3 point land.

That’s 20 percent below his record breaking percentage for the season. The guy has hit a little bit of a slump at the wrong time, but if there’s one thing we have learned about Eddie it’s that he won’t let this affect his confidence as has no conscience when it comes to shooting. And that is a good thing. I expect the C’s to try to get him going early to ensure his offensive abilities are in play this evening.

Tonight will be a night that will need to involve these Celtics stepping up, instead of hoping that the Bulls step down. The Bulls play better at home and outside of Rose and Gordon in the first two games their roster did not produce fully to their capabilities. The confines of the United Center could change that The C’s will need to get the offense running on all cylinders since they haven’t show defensively they are able to slow down these Bulls. A championship effort will be needed to get the job done.