Banged-Up Boston Celtics Can’t Panic in Game 6

Down in Orlando, the Magic took care of the Celtics on Wednesday night,
beating them soundly in Game 5. And back in Boston, a whole lot of fans
reached for the panic button.

But the Celtics are still up 3-2 in
these Eastern Conference finals, and they return to the TD Garden floor
on Friday with a chance to close things out.

They're banged up,
they're steaming and Kendrick Perkins is on thin ice, technically
speaking. But the C's have a chance to punch their tickets for the
Finals.

When and Where

Celtics vs. Magic
Friday, May
28, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)
TD Garden, Boston, Mass.

Head to Head

Here's
a challenge for the Celtics: Win another one at home. The Celtics were
0-2 against the Magic at the TD Garden during the regular season, and
they played poorly in Game 4 on their home floor Monday night. Remember,
the Celtics were 24-17 at the Garden during the regular season, tied
with Miami and Chicago for the worst home record among the 16 NBA playoff teams. It's no secret
the Celtics thrive when they're being taunted and booed on the road,
but they'll have to pull this one out at home if they want to dodge a
Game 7.

Key Matchup

Kendrick Perkins vs. Dwight Howard
Perkins
got his wish from the league offices on Thursday — a second chance.
With one of his seven playoff technical fouls rescinded, he will be
eligible to play in Game 6 on Friday night, and he better make the
most of it. He's got to play Howard tough, but not too tough. He's got
to be physical, but not too physical. He's got to take Howard straight
up, but he's got to stay out of foul trouble, the personal or the
technical kind. It's a balancing act that Perkins has struggled with,
but he's got to get it right now. He's the key to Game 6.

Starting
Lineups

Celtics
Point guard: Rajon Rondo
Shooting guard: Ray
Allen
Small forward: Paul Pierce
Power forward: Kevin Garnett
Center:
Kendrick Perkins

Magic
Point guard: Jameer Nelson
Shooting
guard: Vince Carter
Small forward: Matt Barnes
Power forward:
Rashard Lewis
Center: Dwight Howard

Stat Sheet

Celtics

• Rasheed
  Wallace scored 21 points for the Celtics in Game 5. It was his highest
  scoring output in a playoff game since April 20, 2008, when he scored 24
  points as his Pistons lost to the 76ers.
• Kendrick Perkins has 60
  personal fouls in the playoffs thus far, most in the NBA.
• The
  Celtics have five of the NBA's top 20 active players in career playoff
  minutes: Wallace (fourth, 5,683), Michael Finley (14th, 3,901), Paul
  Pierce (15th, 3,708), Ray Allen (16th, 3,673) and Kevin Garnett (18th,
  3,500).

Magic

• Jameer Nelson scored 24 points on 6-of-10
  shooting for the Magic in Game 5. It was his sixth 20-plus game in this
  postseason.
• Dwight Howard had five blocks, giving him an NBA-best
  48 for this postseason. He's had five games of five-plus in these
  playoffs, including nine in the Magic's postseason opener against
  Charlotte.
• Matt Barnes has played in 24 career playoff games, averaging 8.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

Black and
Blue

Celtics

• Glen Davis and Marquis Daniels both suffered
  concussions in Game 5. Davis is a game-time decision for Game 6, while
  Daniels is doubtful.
• Rasheed Wallace is experiencing back pain.
  He is also a game-time decision.
• Paul Pierce suffered a shoulder
  stinger on Wednesday night, but he is expected to play.

Magic

• Rashard
  Lewis has battled a viral infection throughout this series.

Outlook

Game
5 was a bloodbath for the Celtics, as tempers flared, technicals were
doled out left and right  and approximately half their roster battled
one injury or another. It was an ugly one for the C's to lose. But
they've got to put that behind them. The fact of the matter is they're
still up 3-2, and they're coming home with a chance to close things out.
If they can come back to the TD Garden cooled off and focused on the
task at hand, they've still got an excellent chance of returning to the
NBA Finals.