Game 6 — it means somebody will be punching their ticket to the next round, but others are headed to a win-or-go-home Game 7.
We’ve got three Game 6s tonight, a couple we didn’t expect to see. Who is going to push it to a Game 7? Here is a look at each of the games.
Atlanta at Boston (Celtics lead 3-2): This series changed when Al Horford returned — if he had been healthy (or healthy enough) all series things would have been different. But now with him back the Hawks are trying to win three straight against the veteran Celtics, and this one is back home in the Boston Garden where the Celtics play better. Paul Pierce has a banged up left knee but is a go and he needs to be the attacking Paul and not jump shooting Paul — he has to draw fouls and get to the line — if the Celtics are going to close it out.
Boston is just one throwback game from Kevin Garnett or Ray Allen from advancing as well. But they have to get points inside, not just as jump shooters. And they need to find a way to slow Horford, especially at the end of games. But you just kind of expect this is where the Celtics veterans step up and end it.
Chicago at Philadelphia (Sixers lead 3-2): After Derrick Rose went down in Game 1 we expected a hangover for the Bulls, we just didn’t expect it to last three games. Finally Tom Thibodeau seemed to snap them out of it in Game 5 and the Bulls defense was back shutting down the Sixers, seemingly contesting every shot. That was enough to get them the win, but now the Bulls have to do it with a slowed Taj Gibson (ankle) and likely without Joakim Noah (game timed decision).
The Sixers need to treat this like Game 7 because they do not want to go back to Chicago. The Sixers need to attack, not just settle for jump shots, and they need to get Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams going. Coach Doug Collins said he the goal is to generate offense from their defense — get stops and run. Still, you know the Bulls will play good defense — the question is can they find enough offense, Chicago needs good games from Richard Hamilton, Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer or they will be on vacation far earlier than anyone expected.
Los Angeles at Denver (Lakers lead 3-2): Do you have any idea what Lakers team will show up tonight? Which Andrew Bynum? Do you have any idea what JaVale McGee will show up? Me neither. Plus, Kobe Bryant is a game-time decision with a stomach virus (although it’s Kobe, so you know he will play, he just may not be 100 percent). If you are in Las Vegas, stay away from this one.
The real thing to watch in this game is the Lakers outside shooters. Last game Denver collapsed and doubled on the Lakers bigs just daring somebody, anybody to beat them from the outside. No Laker could. If the Lakers make those shots they change the Nuggets defense, if they miss it’s long rebounds to get the Nuggets running.