Mentality Heading into Game 6

How do you feel before Game 6

  • Celtics in 7 - 100% convinced they still got this

    Votes: 6 2.9%
  • Celtics in 7 - Confident they’ll get it done but it may not be pretty

    Votes: 51 25.0%
  • Dubs in 7 - They’ll probably hold serve on Thu but I don’t feel confident about Game 7

    Votes: 49 24.0%
  • Dubs in 7 - This is going 7 and Dubs probably win a competitive Game 7

    Votes: 21 10.3%
  • Dubs in 6 - Valiant effort but they look physically and mentally done

    Votes: 45 22.1%
  • Dubs in 6 - Celtics are toast and Game 6 might get ugly

    Votes: 21 10.3%
  • Other

    Votes: 11 5.4%

  • Total voters
    204

DGreenwood

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I need the Kevin Millar option. I think they'll win game six and anything can happen in game seven. I know that's non-committal but I can talk myself into a few reasons I think the Celtics will do well in game six. Game seven (if they make it) seems like a dice roll.
 

jmanny24

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I voted get it done but ugly. What a strange series where every game, the losing team probably thinks they should've/could've won and lost by at least double digits
 

tims4wins

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Think they play relatively close for 2.5-3 quarters on Thursday, then lose by 10+, maybe 20+. Hope I am very wrong.
 

yecul

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Pretty confident they force a game 7 where GS will be favored. Don't lose at home. Leave it on the floor and see what happens in game 7.
 

bankshot1

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After two bad losses, I find myself strangely sanguine. I think the Celts rightly see it as them against a doubting world and rebound in G6 and play a good 2-way game for 4 qtrs. If we're fortunate enough to get to a G7, we're fortunate.
 

Eddie Jurak

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Dubs in 6 valiant is closest to my view. I could see it going 7 but I don't think the Celtics have enough left in the tank to win 2 more games. It also could get ugly but I don't think it will.
 

Return of the Dewey

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I am expecting big game from JB in Game 6. He was incredibly awful in Game 5, and he's due for at least one supernova game during the Finals. I also think that we'll see one of the role players come up with a solid Game 6 (Horford, White, GWill, PP). GWill and PP are especially due for one of those.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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I think last night we kind of saw what has worried me all along.

We can talk about a lot of shit, but in the end experience matters. That was the biggest game that pretty much anyone on the team has played and the biggest game the head coach has coached. And they got a little bit thrown off their game in the fourth quarter and it was the edge that the other guys needed to take control. It happened fast and the competition is too close to lose an edge for a few minutes and to get thrown. It just happened too fast.

They got put on tilt for 5 minutes in front of a hostile crowd and they did not have Big Papi in the dugout. They don't have anyone with been-there-done-that and the other team has a bench full of been-there-done-that. And that made a difference.

They may win game 6. I put it as a coin flip. But I just don't see them winning game 7. Not without something really unexpected. The good news is that next time -- and there will be a next time -- they will have been-there-done-that.
 

djbayko

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I need the Kevin Millar option. I think they'll win game six and anything can happen in game seven. I know that's non-committal but I can talk myself into a few reasons I think the Celtics will do well in game six. Game seven (if they make it) seems like a dice roll.
Your scenario is exactly why I voted Other. I have no idea which way this series will go.
 

Auger34

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Your scenario is exactly why I voted Other. I have no idea which way this series will go.
If that’s what Other means, I should change my vote because that’s exactly how I feel….

I am incredibly confident they win Game 6.

Game 7 I have 0 idea. I think the Celtics are the better team and they seem to play their best with their backs against the wall….but the Warriors will be at home, seem to be a lot more healthy and well rested, in addition to the experience factor. On the other hand, Curry may be hurt and he’s the only player on the warriors that can create his own shot and 3 point shots are incredibly high variance….Basically, I could talk myself into either team for a variety of reasons.

EDIT: I’m kind of surprised the amount of people who think the Warriors could win Game 6. This years Warriors have a similar reputation to the Celtics..for whatever reason when it’s not a MUST WIN they have a tendency to play with their food and not get the job done. When you combine that with how well the Celtics play with their backs against the wall, I would be borderline shocked if the Warriors won Game 6….

the only 3 games that I’ve felt supremely confident about this series were Game 2 (thought the Warriors would win), Game 3 (thought the Celtics would win), and now Game 6.
 

lexrageorge

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I picked the Warriors in 7.

In the minority here, but I think Golden State is just a bit better, and their experience pushes them over the edge. Steph is the best player on the floor every game, and it's not particularly close either. They seem a bit deeper; Celtics really don't have anyone on the bench besides White who can be trusted to give them minutes this series; Pritchard and Grant look way overmatched when they are out there. And the Warriors defense is really good. I've said it in a different thread, but with any other ECF opponent, this series is already over (with possible exception of the Bucks with a healthy Middleton). Bottom line is that the Celtics looked gassed the past two 4th quarters.

But this Celtics team has come too far to not dial in one more W in front of their fans. Time to make the Warriors earn it if they want it.
 

SemperFidelisSox

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Celtics pull away in the 4th Q. Both teams take out starters with a few minutes left to get ready for Game 7.

Game 7 is competitive. Back and forth for three quarters. Warriors pull away in the 4th with some Curry 3’s and big buckets from role players.
 

jsinger121

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Jul 25, 2005
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Golden State will become just the second team to win a world championship underneath the banners of the Boston Garden. Breen’s final call should be this. The warriors are winning it. 4 in 8 years. Golden State comes to Boston and wins the world title.
 

BaseballJones

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I think it goes one of two ways: The Celtics either get blown out as GS comes out roaring and Boston is utterly deflated, or the Celtics play very well and win by 10 or so and look every bit like they could win back in GS.

And I have no clue which of these will happen.
 

JoePoulson

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Collapsed like a house of cards after going up 2-1. It sucks they were just minutes away from going up 3-1 and even had chances last night, but they're a young team going against the veteran GS dynasty so really no shame in losing. Would love for them to win game 6 to prevent a complete wet fart ending of course, but I can't get over the crazy mental mistakes, and obscene number of turnovers and missed field goals.
 

thehitcat

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I thought they'd lose game 5, expect them to win game 6 and then shock the world winning game 7 in front of the Wine and Cheese crowd who will head home early. I expect them to come out fast and not look back on Thursday night roared on by the home crowd, then be in a tight one at the half in game 7 and pull away as the crowd and Dubs get tight.
 

McBride11

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I need the Kevin Millar option. I think they'll win game six and anything can happen in game seven. I know that's non-committal but I can talk myself into a few reasons I think the Celtics will do well in game six. Game seven (if they make it) seems like a dice roll.
Literally same thought - don’t let us win tonite.

I voted Cs in 7. But no room for error. Take care of the ball and business at home. House money in G7 at SF. They CAN do it - just gotta play the type of ball they have been for 5 months and fall into bad habits.
 

NJ_Sox_Fan

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I picked Dubs in 6; but solid effort. Unless Tatum finally plays well for more than a brief spurt or two, I just don’t see them winning this.
 

Ale Xander

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Ticket situation kinda shows that people aren't confident. It's lower than game 3 prices and not that far from ECF Game 7 prices.
 

JCizzle

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I give this team a ton of credit for the post-January turnaround and it's been an amazing ride, but I think they've run out of gas. Hope I'm wrong, but I didn't see nearly the intensity that I was expecting from them in game 5.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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I picked the Cs in 7 and am sticking with it but honestly, who knows what's going to happen. For all of the words spoken on podcasts and printed on the internet, the analysis is pretty simple. If the Cs can take care of the ball and make their FTs, they will be better at scoring in the 1/2 court than GSW will.

If they don't, they will probably lose.

Hopefully G6 with their backs to the wall will bring out the best in them. After that, hoping there's one more game in them.

I would not be surprised if there wasn't one more game left in them, much less two. But even in that case, what a great season it's been. (I also hope they aren't satisfied with what they've accomplished up to now but it's only human nature that they woud be.)
 

bankshot1

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Thanks, McCarver.
Just remember Joe, a walk is as good as a home run, except in basketball.

Re NBA Finals ticket prices. I was fortunate enough to see 1 NBA finals in person at the old Garden. IIRC I paid $50 for 4 tickets on spec (IIRC $10 face value) for G5 1976
I thought the Celts would clinch in 5. but they came home from Phoenix tied 2-2. I was a little disappointed.

On the positive side I saw one of the greatest games in NBA history.

And the crowd was outrageous. I screamed myself hoarse and couldn't talk for about 2 days
 

JFK35

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Well most who know me consider me to be relentlessly pessimistic - I tend to be reasonably on the money with my feelings regarding league semi final or championship situations. Only time I’ve been off in recent years is Pats/Eagles in ‘17 and Sox/Astros in ‘18.

With all that said - It’s OVER. If they had just lost a close one in Game 5 I might be persuaded otherwise but the way they came out flat as the pre-Columbus globe .. they’re toast. Very talented. And IMO on paper the better team but just too inconsistent, too sloppy, too fundamentally flawed. Hate to be obnoxiously cliche but the Warriors just do what needs to be done … to get it done (think ‘15 Pats Broncos).

Celtics probably come out on fire - but Warriors hang around and close it out. And we’re left wondering first what could’ve been - and second is this a learning curve that they needed to get over before becoming a champion in the next year or two. Or was this a pivotal crossroads where a win meant the start of a mini-dynasty & a loss means in the next few years it all falls apart in a storm of dysfunction.

*IF* In the unlikely event I’m wrong and they come out with a convincing statement victory. Then I’m completely mindf*cked. Part of me thinks in such a scenario they’re naive enough to get it done and the other part of me is scarred for life after the screw job in LA 2010
 

Bleedred

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I flirted with "toast" v. "valiant effort." GSW are the significantly superior team mentally and I think game 5 has shaken the Celtics confidence to its core. They look to me like a team that is exhausted and that they've made a great run, but it's probably over. I'd love to be wrong, but if I'm a gambling man, my head tells me that GSW is an excellent bet on Thursday night getting points. My heart says Celtics in 7!
 

HomeRunBaker

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Pretty confident they force a game 7 where GS will be favored. Don't lose at home. Leave it on the floor and see what happens in game 7.
Agreed. For as hard as this team has grinded after losses it would be a bit disheartening to lose the final 3 games of this series…….and two on your home floor. I think there is a decent shot the Warriors lay a complete egg and would prefer to be anywhere but Boston this week.
 

HurstSoGood

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Toast. Or perhaps I'm toast. I'm tired of watching them play hero-ball when they get down. Celts can win as a team, not 1 on 5 basketball. MJ is not on this roster.
 

wilked

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It honestly is as simple as cleaning up their passing and getting rid of the sloppy turnovers. Now I get that sounds simple on paper, but I think that can be corrected via coaching and attention to detail by players, simplifying play. If you told me right now they have 12 turnovers or fewer I’m willing to bet a months paycheck on the game on the Celts. That’s the only stat I need to see.
 

BigSoxFan

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I’m mentally exhausted from these playoffs so I can’t imagine what the players feel like. When it was 2-1 Celtics, I thought a title was not just possible but likely. But then Game 4 happened and erased all positive thoughts. Game 5 was always going to be an L.

So, instead of the excitement of being up 3-2 at home, we have to scratch and claw to get back to another Game 7. Mentally, I’m finally in a good space here. If they win, great, we got a Game 7. If they lose, well, they would have dropped 3 straight and not deserved the title.

What I really want now is for Tatum to just go nuts in a game. Like 38/10/5 type scoring line. If Curry goes out and beats that, hey, ultimate hat tip.

Just want these guys to play loose. They haven’t in several days and have paid the price. Have fun, play loose, get the W, and put some house money on the table on Sunday.
 

sezwho

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Yeah, this. I am still somehow feeling a little dazed from games 4 and 5. Did not see both of those games going in the loss column.
Nor did I, and I don't feel very confident though as mentioned above the Millar is certainly in play.

There is a weird Catch-22 dynamic at play around the Js being in their early 20s: we (rightfully!) give the experience/mental toughness edge to GS yet at the same time it seems like the Celtics are the ones looking most run down at the end of the game. Aren't young legs the answer to veteran savvy? Anyways, we will get to a game 7 if we are talking about the age of the Warriors as a disadvantage and we were able to run them out of the gym. A close/late game is not a friend to the Cs: Curry makes his 3s and so does Klay, while we can tend to either wait for the clock to run down or dribble off feet/throw across court.

I’m mentally exhausted from these playoffs so I can’t imagine what the players feel like. When it was 2-1 Celtics, I thought a title was not just possible but likely. But then Game 4 happened and erased all positive thoughts. Game 5 was always going to be an L.

So, instead of the excitement of being up 3-2 at home, we have to scratch and claw to get back to another Game 7. Mentally, I’m finally in a good space here. If they win, great, we got a Game 7. If they lose, well, they would have dropped 3 straight and not deserved the title.

What I really want now is for Tatum to just go nuts in a game. Like 38/10/5 type scoring line. If Curry goes out and beats that, hey, ultimate hat tip.

Just want these guys to play loose. They haven’t in several days and have paid the price. Have fun, play loose, get the W, and put some house money on the table on Sunday.
I agree losing 3 straight would demonstrate pretty clearly they just weren't ready to take the "Final" leap, but I'll be pretty bummed if they don't show up at home.
 

Euclis20

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There is a weird Catch-22 dynamic at play around the Js being in their early 20s: we (rightfully!) give the experience/mental toughness edge to GS yet at the same time it seems like the Celtics are the ones looking most run down at the end of the game. Aren't young legs the answer to veteran savvy? Anyways, we will get to a game 7 if we are talking about the age of the Warriors as a disadvantage and we were able to run them out of the gym. A close/late game is not a friend to the Cs: Curry makes his 3s and so does Klay, while we can tend to either wait for the clock to run down or dribble off feet/throw across court.
All things being equal I'd agree, but beyond young legs and veteran savvy, the Celtics have played a TON more minutes in these playoffs and in the season as a whole. Curry and Klay have played 724 and 751 minutes in the playoffs, and 2,935 and 1,692 total minutes this year. Tatum and Brown have played 943 and 876 minutes in the playoffs and 3,674 and 3,096 total minutes this year. I think that more than cancels out the young legs.
 

Return of the Dewey

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All things being equal I'd agree, but beyond young legs and veteran savvy, the Celtics have played a TON more minutes in these playoffs and in the season as a whole. Curry and Klay have played 724 and 751 minutes in the playoffs, and 2,935 and 1,692 total minutes this year. Tatum and Brown have played 943 and 876 minutes in the playoffs and 3,674 and 3,096 total minutes this year. I think that more than cancels out the young legs.
I think that I posted this before, but experience also plays a role in how one plays with fatigue/injury. Anyone, let alone professional athletes, come to learn more about their bodies as they get older, and how to adjust physical activity based upon how body is feeling. Further, with experience comes understanding as to how to adjust one's game based upon how they are feeling that day/hour/minute. I'm not talking about the macho "playing through pain". It's more nuanced adjustments (e.g. if you're legs/knees are tired/injured, going midrange; if you don't have the same acceleration/leap, not going to hoop). More experienced players tend to be able to do this better (although I've been impressed with how EWilliams has been able to do it).
 

bigq

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I’m very nervous and anxious about this game. So much so that I can’t even hazard a guess to the poll question. I have no expectations regarding the outcome however I am mentally preparing myself for the possibility that the season may be over tomorrow night. I’ve enjoyed this season thoroughly and do not want it to end.
 

ifmanis5

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I give this team a ton of credit for the post-January turnaround and it's been an amazing ride, but I think they've run out of gas. Hope I'm wrong, but I didn't see nearly the intensity that I was expecting from them in game 5.
Agreed, they look physically and emotionally spent. The bad FT percentages, the slower pace of play and the overall effort level has nosedived. This extra day off feels great but I just don't have confidence they can turn this around.
I felt the same in the both Miami and Milwaukee but this feels different. Would love to be wrong but feels like the tank is empty.
 

Auger34

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Agreed. For as hard as this team has grinded after losses it would be a bit disheartening to lose the final 3 games of this series…….and two on your home floor. I think there is a decent shot the Warriors lay a complete egg and would prefer to be anywhere but Boston this week.
Completely agreed. Very important to start out strong and give the Warriors a chance to retreat
 

fairlee76

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Nor did I, and I don't feel very confident though as mentioned above the Millar is certainly in play.

There is a weird Catch-22 dynamic at play around the Js being in their early 20s: we (rightfully!) give the experience/mental toughness edge to GS yet at the same time it seems like the Celtics are the ones looking most run down at the end of the game. Aren't young legs the answer to veteran savvy? Anyways, we will get to a game 7 if we are talking about the age of the Warriors as a disadvantage and we were able to run them out of the gym. A close/late game is not a friend to the Cs: Curry makes his 3s and so does Klay, while we can tend to either wait for the clock to run down or dribble off feet/throw across court.



I agree losing 3 straight would demonstrate pretty clearly they just weren't ready to take the "Final" leap, but I'll be pretty bummed if they don't show up at home.
Yes to all of this and on the bolded, the Celtics are chasing Klay, Steph, and Poole around all game - that has to partially account for the tired legs, I think? A healthy Rob would have made such a huge difference in this series in terms of guys being able to contest 3 point field goals and have less to worry about when it comes to the Warriors penetrating.
 

Everetts Dinosaurs

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I’m very nervous and anxious about this game. So much so that I can’t even hazard a guess to the poll question. I have no expectations regarding the outcome however I am mentally preparing myself for the possibility that the season may be over tomorrow night. I’ve enjoyed this season thoroughly and do not want it to end.
This is basically where I am. I'm so damned proud of this team and I'm so overjoyed by what we've experienced these past 5 months. I don't want to end it like this.
 

Strike4

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This is basically where I am. I'm so damned proud of this team and I'm so overjoyed by what we've experienced these past 5 months. I don't want to end it like this.
If they lose I'll be disappointed but not like "this team didn't live up to expectations" disappointed. They gave us everything we could have reasonably hoped for this year and the future is bright.

I am at peace.
 

Imbricus

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I picked Warriors in six, so to be consistent, I suppose I should expect them to win this next game.

But that was before I saw the Celtics and Warriors actually play in the finals. I think the teams are well-matched, with a slight edge to the Celtics (though their execution is usually poorer).

Right now the recency bias is to discount the Celts too much, and I think that's a mistake. I see them winning Game 6. A strong win (by 10 to 15 points), and I think game 7 is a coin toss.