Boston Celtics need more than home court to bounce back
TD Garden can be a difference maker for the Boston Celtics, but it cannot be the only difference
The Boston Celtics can feel good about this series going back to Boston, and there is good reason for it. They are undefeated at home in the playoffs and have looked like a different team in TD Garden. The Celtics know they can bounce back, but if they take home court for granted, it will not make the difference they need.
The Celtics know how much of advantage home court can be, but it is still their responsibility to do something with the advantages, and make the necessary adjustments to overcome what the Cavaliers were doing in Cleveland.
The Celtics know that controlling the pace of the game is easier with the crowd behind you, but they still need to make the plays. The Celtics know life should be more difficult for LeBron James in a hostile environment, but they need to be the ones that actually apply the pressure.
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It is great to be at home, but that is not the only change the Celtics need. The Cavaliers found a spot to attack their defense, and have been dictating the pace of the game.
The Celtics need to embrace their speed and athleticism when they get home, and use those momentum boosts to go on their runs. The Celtics were chasing the Cavaliers at all times in Cleveland, and they need to flip that at home.
The Celtics need to make sure the Cavaliers are trying to figure out how to make things work, and while they are doing that the Celtics will go on the runs that could put the game out of reach.
The Celtics know they are capable of winning this series, and they were able to see that in Cleveland. They also learned a lot about what needs to be done to beat the Cavaliers.
Being at home in Boston will give the Celtics a bit of an edge, and take away that extra boost from the Cavaliers. There is no doubt that it will be easier for the Celtics to be at their best when they are at home, but if that makes them feel like they do not need to adjust as much as is necessary, it could end up hurting them.
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The Celtics have always been focused, and Brad Stevens knows better than anyone how important it is for them to adjust. They are not the kind of group that will let home court get to their heads, so they should have no problem using it for all the advantages they need to get the lead back in this series and put all the pressure back on Cleveland to win at home.