PHILADELPHIAAfter two games, it's not that big of a stretch to say that the Boston Celtics could easily be down 2-0 in their best-of-seven series with Philadelphia.
For some teams, that reality could rattle a team's confidence.
And then there's the Celtics who'll come into the Sixers den, the series tied at 1-1, with the kind of confidence and swagger of James Bond 007.
But unlike Bond's drink of choice, the C's confidence is not shaken or stirred.
"I don't really worry about where we play," said Boston guard Ray Allen, who led the C's with 17 points in their 82-81 Game 2 loss. "It's just how we play and when we play them. Being in their building isn't going to affect us. It's all about how we play them when we get out there, how we take care (of the ball) and work together better than we did (in Game 2)."
The Celtics' confidence is an across-the-board thing, starting with the captain Paul Pierce.
When asked if he thought the C's could pull out a victory in Philadelphia, Pierce said, I never have doubts; you always think youre gonna win, but unfortunately we didnt (in Game 2).
Boston Celtics
Sixers coach Doug Collins has had many battles both as a player and as a coach against the Celtics.
Philadelphia took a game on the C's home floor and with it, home court advantage.
But taking the Celtics' confidence? Collins knows better.
"I don't see us denting their confidence," he said.
While being so sure of themselves has served them well in the past, there is a concern -- a legit one -- that the Celtics aren't taking this series as seriously as they should.
Even though the Sixers beat them two out of three games during the regular season, the necessary focus and attention to detail needed throughout the first two games hasn't been there.
In Boston's 92-91 Game 1 victory, the C's lethargic start forced them to rally from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to get the win. And in Game 2, it was almost a carbon copy of Game 1 minus the outcome.
So as the Celtics continue to straddle that thin line they've walked for years between being extremely confident and cocky, the Sixers' swagger is starting to grow as well.
And now that they have home court advantage, getting it back will be all the more tougher for Boston.
Monday's loss certainly provided a boost of confidence to the Sixers, but C's coach Doc Rivers believes the Celtics actually gave Philadelphia that in Game 1.
"I mean, we played a home game in Game One where we stole the game," Rivers said. "And, so, if you're the other team you have to have a little confidence coming in (to Game Two). That's what I was so happy with the start of Game Two, and then we let it go."
The C's opened the game with a 9-0 run, but soon saw its lead disappear and ultimately with it, a chance to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.
"Again I have to tell you all season long we couldn't win these games," Collins said following the Sixers win. "And now our guys are believing they can do it, and it is pretty special to watch."
Added Kevin Garnett: "They play with a lot of energy, they play together. They know who they are. Doug has those guys believing. They're a young team, and they're playing with a lot of confidence."
And only time will tell if that confidence is anything like the Celtics' -- not shaken or stirred.