I read a post from Steelcities blog last month asking for the real Jesus Shuttlesworth to please step forward. This was on my mind for most of the game as I watched my Boston Celtics being pressed into submission by the younger quicker and according to Sir Charles Barkley; "the more talented" Orlando Magic.

This was another one of those games where I knew in my gut that the Celts had the ability, the talent and the will to win this game that's for sure. But the frustration was in watching all of the missed opportunities as the Celtics would cut the lead down to 6 or 7 only to have an Orlando  player like Hedo Turkoglu make one of his patented awkward three pointers. Then Orlando would light it up for another 6-0  run and again make the game seem out of reach. The game seemed to have a life of it's own and my feeling was that maybe this one just wasn't meant to be.
With 8:49 left to play in the 4th. quarter the score is 77-63. The Celtics had just had another let down and Magic were on a 10-4 run since the start of the quarter. Then the next great story to come from the Boston Celtics post season run came to light. Stephon Marbury....................Who? That's right "Stephon Marbury" he played, he shot the ball and he scored! He scored all of his 12 points in the 4th. quarter.

But that still wasn't going to be enough. To win this one, the Celtics were going to need consistency and the "Real Jesus Shuttlesworth to please step forward." After 7 plus minutes of catch-up play the Celtics were poised to take the lead for the first time since the early 1st. quarter. Then it happened...................Ray Allen cutting from the baseline to the perimeter catches a pass from Rondo, turns and completes a perfect "Ray Allen 3 pointer." That proved to be the catalyst that the Boston Celtics had been looking for the whole game. It put them ahead 86-85 with 1:20 to play. From then on the Celtics played outstanding clock management (not like in the Chicago series) winning the game by the final score of 92-88.

The importance of this game was huge. After winning game 4 in Orlando to steal home court back from the Magic. Loosing it back again tonight would have been devastating. I hope that the Celtics have turned the corner, much like they did last year around this time.

I guess we will find out on Thursday!.........................Enjoy the game.


http://www.faniq.com/blog/They-call-him-Jesus-Shuttlesworth--Blog-23814