The C's will need better performances out of practically everybody, as Paul Pierce was pretty much the only person in green you could point to and say had a decent game. Even so, "decent" doesn't win playoff series.
Rajon Rondo will be called on to improve, and he may look to set the tone from tip-off. Rondo had arguably his worst game of the playoffs in Game 6, scoring just nine points to go along with six assists and four turnovers. Just as bad, Rondo's on-ball defense was miserable, as he allowed players like Jrue Holiday and Lou Williams into the lane over and over.
Once they and other Sixers got to the lane, they were met far too infrequently by Kevin Garnett. And when the C's big man did meet them, he did little or nothing to make a difference. Garnett, who came alive on the offensive end in the second half, wasn't the go-to man he has been throughout the playoffs. Expect him to bounce back in Game 7, though.
Ray Allen and Paul Pierce will also be called upon to step it up on Saturday night, but for Allen at least, that may be easier said than done. Allen has been slowed by his nagging foot injury, and he's struggled because of it on both ends of the court. The domino effect of that injury is made even worse by Avery Bradley's shoulder injury that will reportedly keep him out for the rest of the playoffs, however long that may be. If the C's can get anything resembling a vintage Allen performance in Game 7, it may go a long way in helping them reach another Eastern Conference final.
Which player's performance is most important for Celtics to win Game 7?
