Celtics Must Have 6th Sense

Procrastinating is never a good idea. Putting off paying the bills, filing your taxes or waiting to start a 20-page thesis paper the night before it's due are all situations that generally end badly for the procrastinator. The same applies in the sporting world, in this case the NBA Finals, where the Boston Celtics are serving Championship Point #2 at the TD Banknorth Garden tonight. So that begs the question to Doc, KG and Co.: why put off 'til Thursday what you can finish tonight?

A Game 6 slip up by the home team would not be the end of the world, but it would be a terrible reversal of fortunes that may spell doom. Not only would the Celtics be on the brink of becoming the the first team in NBA Finals history to blow a 3-1 series lead, but they would have to stop Kobe Bryant for the last 48 minutes of the 2007-08 NBA season, with his fourth NBA championship staring him right in the face, to avoid doing so. The thought makes the men in green shake and the fans sweat. As much as you may hate Bryant and love the lovable "Big 3," I know about 80 percent of the country would put their money on No. 24 in a deciding Game 7 in Boston, L.A., Beijing, wherever. That's why the Celtics must be driven to end this now while they're ahead.

Boston has not lacked the killer instinct in this series, evidenced by their 24-point rally in Game 4 and their near comeback from 20 down in Game 5. They talked about finishing the series in L.A and nearly did just that, so fans and observers should not worry that the C's will come out and lay an egg tonight because they have a mere one game edge and the comfort of hosting a potential winner-takes-all game on Thursday. They want to finish it tonight, whether or not they can is a whole 'nother question.

This has been one of the strangest Finals in recent years, mostly because both teams have a legitimate shot at winning it all, which has not been the case lately (see the New Jersey Nets in '02 and '03 and the LeBroneliers last year), but also because both teams have absolutely dominated each game at different times. The past three games have seen one team go up by 20+ points, only to lose the lead entirely or have to come up with a clutch shot or a big stop to hang on for dear life. What's also very odd is how quiet the series' two biggest superstars, Bryant and Kevin Garnett, have been for the most part. The Celtics defense has been incredible on Bryant and his supporting cast has mostly failed him through the first five games, but it's amazing how soft Garnett has played against one of the league's finest softies in Pau Gasol.

KG is similar to Tim Duncan in that he can score 20 and grab 15 rebounds in his sleep, but there are times where those numbers are bigger than his actual impact on the game. The other 29 teams in the NBA would love to have that problem, but aren't you just waiting for Garnett to have a dominating 33-point, 7-rebound, 3-block performance in this series as he did in the pivitol Game 5 against the Pistons? It may come tonight. Check that, it must come tonight. This is exactly why Boston capped off their amazing summer by trading for the Big Ticket- so he would bring his intensity and insane ability to the floor in the biggest game of the season and deliver the city its 17th banner. If this sleeping giant doesn't come alive tonight, you can bet that the other one will when it matters most.

Kobe needs this series to cement his legacy; he knows it, Phil Jackson knows it, you and I know it and Kobe knows that all of the above know it. Picture the Lakers coming back from 3-1 down and winning the last two games in Boston, with No. 24 going off for 35 in Game 7 and winning Finals MVP. MJ never did it and there isn't an athlete in professional sports that is as obsessed with one-upping a legend as much as Bryant is with Jordan. He has his chance to do it and soak in every television, radio and print analyst anointing him as the best that ever lived for at least a week until the hype dies down and reality sets back in. The scary thing is, he can do it and make it look easy, which is why it is imperative Boston seals the deal tonight.

For tonight I'm sticking with the C's, but beyond that... well, not so much. Kobe won't be denied in a Game 7 so, Boston, finish your work tonight or, like so many others, you could face the consequences of procrastination.

DTM