Bob Ryan

Climate change

Celtics have made it a series, and the pressure has shifted to South Beach

By Bob Ryan

Globe Columnist / June 5, 2012

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MIAMI -- The bonus playoffs will have two bonus games -- minimum. Don’t you think the Miami Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeat -- I’m getting ready for that obnoxious PA announcer -- thought they had gotten rid of the Boston Celtics for all times when they dispatched them in five games last year? Really. This wasn’t supposed to be happening, especially after the Heat broke everyone’s heart in Boston with that 115-111 overtime comeback win in Game 2. I’m going to level with you. After Game 2, I was satisfied. The Celtics had done themselves and the organization proud with their effort, but I was concerned that that had been their maximum achievement. I said to myself, “Do we need to go back to Miami and listen to that screamer at the mike? Do we need to go down there and give those unworthy fans the satisfaction of seeing the Heat humble the Celtics on their way to the Finals’’?’’ Absolutely not. Well, here we are, and this series really BEGIN ITAL is END ITAL a series, just as what’s going on out West is a series. It is now entirely logical to assume that the league and the networks will be reveling in a pair of Game 7s on Friday and Saturday. After all, we’re waiting for the first road victory in the respective Conference Finals. But I will submit to you that, as far as the East is concerned, there is a better chance of the Celtics winning a Game 7 than a Game 5. Does that make sense to you? Think about it. Think about the pressure the Miami Heat would feel if they were forced to play a Game 7 to save the season against a team that has given them more trouble than anyone else in the league all season long. That game would be no better than a 50-50 proposition.

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