Thank you.

Thank you everyone for being a part of another great Boston Celtics season. As tough as tonight's ending was, I still had a fantastic time this year. Enjoyed some absolutely fantastic moments at the Garden, from Opening Night vs Miami, to Ray breaking the all-time 3 pointers record and many, many more.

But more importantly, it was a great chance to meet some fabulous people on Twitter, Facebook, through Red'sArmy.com and at the TD Garden. Just had such a great time with all of you, and I look forward to doing it all again. Thank you to all of you! -KWAPT

Jessica Camerato Celtics chat and GangGreenTV tonight

Tonight from 8pm to 10pm, you can get your fill of Celtics news, analysis and chat. First, at 8pm, join CSNNE's Jessica Camerato for a live Boston Celtics chat. You can join the chat over at CSNNE's Facebook page. I've participated in all of Jess' previous C's chats, and they've been great. I can speak for alot of my fellow C's fans/friends by saying they've truly enjoyed them also.

What's that you say? That's enough to satisfy your Celtics appetite? Well have no fear, because the guys from GangGreenTV will be going live tonight at 9pm. If you're not familiar with GangGreenTV, what the hell is wrong with you?! No really, you can check-out last week's episode w/guest ESPN Boston's Chris Forsberg. If you're a C's fan, GangGreenTV is a must-see. So head over to Red's Army at 9pm to watch.

In the meantime, one of the guys I recently profiled on Red's Army.com's "Fan Friday", GeeZee, emailed me his thoughts and feelings as a C's fan on last night's loss. Enjoy, feel free to comment and you can follow GeeZee on Twitter here.
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Livin’ life in the fast lane
Movin’ at the speed of life and I can’t slow down
Only got a gallon in the gas tank
But I’m almost at the finish line, so I can’t stop now

I don’t really know where I’m headed, just enjoyin’ the ride
Just gon’ roll ’til I drop and ride ’til I die
I’m livin’ life in the fast lane (Pedal to the metal)
I’m livin’ life in the fast lane (Pedal to the metal)
“Fast Lane” – Royce Da 5’9” feat. Eminem

Alright, here we are, down 1-3 and possibly staring down the end of the Big 3 era in Boston. Our beloved team messed up where we thought they never would – in the clutch. Rondo’s missed layup and Pierce’s desperation stepback will stay in the memory of fans for long. LeBron and the Heat, in turn, did what we thought they wouldn’t – closed out mercilessly.

I believe I speak for most fans when I say the feeling now is devastating. What is it? Is it the fact that it’s really, possibly over? Or could it be that we can’t believe that the Heat – the eternal antagonist - are winning? Is it that James, after all he did to Cleveland, stands there, about to celebrate his triumph?

Or could it be that the Heat simply wants it more?

The answer to the latter is simple: No. They don’t want it more.

Look, everything points to our season ending in the next week. But it won’t be a surrender because this team wants to win. No matter what happens, you can never question the desire of this group of fighters. They show the true heart of a champion. Never mind the Lakers, who collapsed in embarrassing fashion. This team acts like they are the champion. And for that reason we can’t take being down 1-3. It shouldn’t be like this.

But wait.

We’ve been here before. Everyone, even the fans themselves, has questioned this team. A year ago, we had lost Game 3 to Cleveland in a blowout and trailed the series 1-2. Some declared the series over. Well, you know how that turned out. It was three straight grotesque wins, forged with great teamwork over individual skill.

Fast forward to 2011 and we essentially face the same situation. Hardly anyone believes we can still pull this out. Three wins is what we need to advance. Backs to the wall.

Is it familiar to you?

All in all, what I’m trying to say is that you can never count the Celtics out. Again, everything points to defeat. There is nothing else for us to grasp and hold on to besides despair. And this despair is the single thing that makes me hold out hope until the loss column shows ‘4’.

And in reality that may never happen. You just don’t know.

Until then, do like Royce does. Enjoy the ride.

Outlasted..

"F***."

Celtics are now down to their final loss in this best-of-seven series with Miami. After failing to execute in the final seconds of regulation, Lebron James and the Heat win Game 4 98-90. The Celts gave themselves and the fans alot of confidence early-on. Paul Pierce once again came out of the gate firing on all cylinders, Rondo, despite a dislocated elbow, was getting it done, and the C's were playing great defense. But Miami hung-around all night. The Celts never could stretch the lead out to a comfortable margin. Pierce led the C's with 27, but KG struggled, putting in only 7 points. A completely different Big Ticket than the one who scored 28 points in Game 3. Ray Allen also had a tough night-he put in 17 points, but never got into a good rhythm.

With about 20 seconds left in the 4th, the Celtics got the ball back with the score tied 86-86. The C's had a chance to put Miami away and tie this series up at 2 games. But execution once again was the C's downfall. Paul Pierce had to force up an awkward shot at the buzzer, and we went to OT. At that point, as big a Celtics fan as I am, I knew we were in deep trouble. You cannot leave the door open for a team with 2 guys as talented as Wade and James.

The Heat completely dominated the OT, and the C's simply ran out of gas. It was tough to watch. And as a C's fan, it's frustrating because this game was our's for the taking. James led all scorers with 35. The other key stat tonight was Miami's dominance on the glass. The C's only mustered 3 offensive rebounds to Miami's 10, and overall were out-rebounded 45-28.

So the Celtics have a daunting task ahead: beat Miami 3 times in a row, or the season is over. They will travel to Miami and play for their playoff lives in Game 5 on Wednesday. Tip-off is at 7pm. Head over to RedsArmy for Chuck's recap and a link to the full boxscore.
(video via Chris Forsberg)

Heart.

"We got you man."

Gusty performance tonight as Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo lead the Celtics to a must-win over Miami in Game 3. Final at the Garden: C 's 97 Heat 81. Kevin Garnett schooled Chris Bosh and the Heat with 28 big points and 18 boards. Pierce tallied 27 including 5 three's and Rondo, well Rondo was amazing. After dislocating his elbow in the 3rd, he returned to finish the game with one arm.

This was an amazing night to be at the Garden. The C's still have alot of work to do, but this win showed us they have alot of fight, and can still play Celtics basketball. Check out Chuck's recap at Red's Army.com.

C's have tomorrow off, and we should get some injury news on Rondo, and Delonte, who injured his shoulder this evening. Tip-off on Monday is at 7pm.

Is it in them?

"Get off me."

C's fall in Miami again tonight, this time DWade and Lebron's combined 63 leads Heat to a 102-91 win. In my opinion, the Celts did not get big stops when needed tonight. Too much trading of baskets. Pierce going down with the foot strain was tough as he never got in a rhythm. He only tallied 13 points, and his partner-in-crime Ray Allen only mustered 7. The Heat did a good job swarming Ray-Ray and denying him the ball. Kevin Garnett pretty much kept Boston close most of the game. His 16 were 2nd only to Rondo's 20.

The C's did not seem fluid on offense, and despite some spurts, they did not move the ball very well. The bench played much better, as DWest, Baby and Jeff Green combined for 27 to Miami's reserves' 12 points.

So now it comes down to protecting the home court. Can Boston go back home and win 2 to even this up and stop the bleeding? I believe I know they can. It's just a matter of executing, defending and playing Celtics basketball. That building is going to be rocking this Saturday night, and the fans will do what they can. Let's hope the team responds as well. We have been through too much this season to let it end without a fight. Game 3 at the TD Garden will tip-off at 8pm on Saturday. I don't have a ticket yet, but I'll do whatever I can to be there. Be sure to read Chuck's recap over at Red's Army for more- including a link to the boxscore.

NOT what the Doctor ordered..

"Oh it's like THAT?"

So did you think the C's would come out a little rusty after 1 week off? Me too-but not this rusty. C's lose Game 1 99-90. Now let me be clear, I'm not taking away from DWade and Lebron. More so Wade, who was incredible. He finished with 38 points on 14 of 21 shooting. Lebron put up 22 of his own to go with 6 boards and 5 assists. James Jones was huge off the bench with 25 points-5 of 7 from downtown and a perfect 10 of 10 from the line. That was unexpected. But the Heat really did nothing all that fancy. They simply "played their game", as coach Erik Spoelstra said postgame. And the C's did not play their's. They were out of sync and not as focused as needed to win today. Poor shooting, costly early fouls on Rondo and some very questionable calls by the refs. But it was poor execution, not the refs that cost us this game.

The Celtics offense sputtered pretty much all day. The lone bright-spot, and reason they were able to They just could not get it going until it was too late. Paul Pierce struggled-but still managed to score 19 points before being ejected after his 2nd technical. He got into it with DWade after the two collided on the baseline. The ref overreacted, and ESPN's Mike Wilbon thought so too. Will be interesting to see if the NBA rescinds either of the techs called on Pierce or J.O. today. Rondo never really got rolling, KG was cold and the bench struggled going 8-23 from the field. Just a frustrating day all-around for the C's.

Am I worried..? No. I'm really not. This Celtics team responds very well to adversity. And mark my words-they will not play this poorly again anytime soon. And Paul, Rondo & KG will not come out this cold either. Doc Rivers will watch film, talk to his troops, and they'll be ready to play better in Game 2. Tip-off is at 7pm on Tuesday in Miami. Check out Chuck's recap over at Red's Army.com.