COWBOY UP ! Celtics Have Life in Eastern Conference Finals

Sometimes I even surprise myself with my brilliance... just two nights ago, I was quite critical of the Boston Celtics. No heart, no energy, no grit, claimed them DEAD. But little did the basketball gods know that I was planting a trap, preparing what will soon to be known as the greatest self double jinx in the history of modern American professional sports, of which I have no part in but will still claim sovereignty over. Playing like you've lost hope and putting that out into the world, and knowing that to be the only way to make sure your team actually does come back and win. This is what the well-intentioned, simple minds of those like my friend and colleague Tavis Ino (TacoMagic) will never understand... Dan is playing chess in dimensions others don't even know exist.

The game itself: Derek White came out making shots early, Al Horford hit three 3's, Marcus Smart showed up for the first time since first half of game 1, and Tatum and Brown not only looked like they wanted to actually be there, they more importantly did what they needed to lead. And not to mention... GRANT WILLIAMS coming in with two huge plays down the stretch on offensive and defensive ends of he floor:

Miami is gassed... Vincent is hurt, Love is hurt and old, they have very little bench and the boys they were relying on to play out of their minds first three games do not have nearly the experience when Celtics actually play with purpose. Caleb Martin is cooling down, Max Strus will hit a 3 here and there but not much more, and Duncan Robinson had his one good game of the series in game 3. Butler has been rackin' up minutes, though he will come back with his best punch in game 5, that's a fact. But down 3-1, all the pressure on Heat, Celtics playing fast and loose, nothing to lose - Garden will be hype on Thursday, crazy pressure in Miami on Saturday, and anything can happen game 7/no WAY Celtics would give that one up if they got all the way back.

Lots of folks now bringing up the 19-8 game 3 of the ALCS when Gary Sheffield was putting holes in the green monster... I'd like to put it on record as myself being the first to make the analogy, and I'd like to formally say 'you're welcome' for throwing the universe off its axis with the reverse jinx and playing the role of that self-loathing hater Dan Shaughnessy from '04.

Millar and co. better be at Game 5 Thursday night... Bill Mueller, Ortiz, Johnny Damon (though I feel like he's a Miami guy), maybe even a Schilling sighting coming in from Medfield?! I could see it... cowboy up indeed! These two are welcome to join in Boston as well: