FanHouse

1. It Starts And Ends With The King: LeBron James finally had the game. 32 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, including monster points down the stretch. He had 8 turnovers, but that's okay, because ... okay, that's not okay. James has woken up more and more as this series has gone on, and managed to put together the complete game in Game 6. He's playing with confidence, desire, passion and focus. He's going to need all of that and his God-given obscene talent if he wants to walk out of Boston with the first win by a visitor in the playoffs. The Cavaliers actually ran James at point for long extended periods in the second half of Game 6, which attributed to James' turnovers. There are advantages and disadvantages to this. The advantage is that it ensures that LBJ has the ball and lets him dictate the offense as he sees fit. The disadvantages are the turnovers and the ability for the Cavs to bring the perimeter double. The Celtics brought the low post defender (Leon Powe, usually) to the perimeter to cover LeBron, trap him if he goes to the wing, and force the ball out of his hands. With any other team, this would mean a pretty simple 1-2-3 touch passing to an open low post player for a lay-in. Unfortunately the Cavs have a bazillion dollars in low post players, none of which can actually score consistently down low. Regardless, I would expect more of the same from Game 6 in terms of James strategy on both sides. The question is whether those shots will fall. And if it'll be enough.

2. Kevin. Freaking. Garnett: This is why Kevin Garnett was brought to Boston. To win games like this. Not just this game, but however many he needs to in order to get them a championship. Garnett needs to quiet the suspicions that he's unable to close games, unable to be the winning anchor, and that all his passion and intensity combined with his considerable skill is a recipe for greatness. The Cavaliers have primarily opted to play Garnett one on one, and in all honesty, Anderson Varejao has done a pretty good job. Garnett has a tendency to go to the baseline fadeaway and that's not necessarily been his best shot recently. Not to say he can't hit it consistently, but he's much stronger facing up or going towards the basket. Garnett also needs to take the lead as the low post defender to float to James. He's got the length, speed, and athleticism to stick with James if he manages to penetrate. Maybe most importantly, though, Garnett needs to provide the emotional lift for the team so that they maintain defensive focus. This is not a good offensive team they're facing, and will only succeed if the Celtics suffer mental breakdowns.

3. On Point: Delonte West and Rajon Rondo are the proverbial swing votes for this series, this game. Whichever team's point guard outperforms the other will most likely be the victor. Rondo has had a hard wakeup in this series, with the wide open lanes he's used to clogged with block experts and surprisingly good defense from veteran opposition. Conversely, Delonte West has had a tremendously solid series for a guy that was considered trade fodder a few months ago. He's been a reliable scorer and has been a team leader for a squad that desperately needed one. Rondo's played well at home, and needs to continue that tomorrow for the Celtics not to suffer a rather ignominous exit.

4. Where Art Thou, Paul Pierce?: Pierce had a terrific Game 5. Then followed it up with a terrible Game 6. 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 of 15 shooting, and 6 turnovers. The word you're looking for is "yech." Pierce is far and away the second best player on the Celtics, and should be the primary scorer for them. Instead, he's disappeared, trying to slow down King James. If this was a conscious strategy devised by the Celtics' coaching staff, it's been a disastrous one. Pierce needs to be slashing to the basket, drawing fouls, knocking down jumpers in transition, and feeding Garnett and Ray Allen on drive and kicks. Instead he's running himself ragged trying to get calls against the second biggest star in the league. Pierce needs to quit worrying about LeBron, stop him to whatever degree he can without sacrificing too much energy, and get back to his game. If he doesn't, the Celtics are going to be forced into another low scoring slugfest. And with James on the floor, that's a risky proposition.

5. Coaching Self-Disadvantage: This series has been a fascinating look into what happens when two coaches that are unable to effectively manage rosters or make strategic adjustments face off against each other. Each time Doc Rivers inserts a herk-a-a-jerk lineup, Mike Brown counters with another set play call for Wally Szczerbiak. Mike Brown holds a slight edge for more effectively keeping the best players on the floor and not sticking with the same slumping players over and over again. Luckily for Celtics fans, Doc Rivers has no choice but to do the one thing that got them into the playoffs and had them dominate Game 5. He'll leave the starters in for as long as possible and let the Big Three try and win the game. Good strategy from a bad strategist. Maybe all that complaining about officiating will give him the edge at home as well. Good job, Doc.

6. Andy and Joe, The Dynamic Duo: Joe Smith and Anderson Varejao have been the proverbial 'X-Factor' for the Cavs in this series. Smith's small but reliable shooting has been key, and Varejao is like a mascot that can rebound. He provides so much energy off the bench that he forces even me to admit that he does "more than the stat sheet shows" which I am loathe to write. The Celtics need to clamp down on them. Zydrunas Ilguauskus is a much more acceptable contributor, given the nature of his game. Baseline jumpers are fine. Attacks at the basket and offensive rebounds, are most certainly not.

7. All The Little Things: Things that are hilarious volume one: Celtics fans insinuating that the referees "stole" Game 6. There is absolutely no conceivable reason for the NBA to want the Celtics to lose, no matter how big LeBron James is. Furthermore, you have to expect James to get a few considering his superstar power. And finally, none of that would have mattered if the Celtics could have, you know, put the ball in the basket. Nevertheless, I would imagine that Boston gets a little home cooking love that the fans will fail to appreciate in this one. But a Game 7 has a lot more in the way of the extra things that matter. The Boston crowd going bonkers, the poise of superstars who play with confidence, the intense momentum swings, and the sheer intensity of a two-way elimination game. Everything we've said above are all great reasons, but the best reason is pretty simple. This is Game 7. Win or go home.