I agree that there are undoubtedly leadership and confidence issues on the road, but the catalyst is the first quarter officiating.
The way the refs are calling the game on the road for us is completely killing our momentum and morale. I'm not making excuses or crying conspiracy - just stating the facts. The same story could be said for Brick James in the first two games. Watch closely - we have been allowed to play far more physically the first 6 home games than the 4 road games.
After some 90 games played together and ostensibly 45 on the road, this team should know how to adjust. Yes, part of it is coaching, but most of it is the players.
I'm going to call out Pierce, Ray Allen, and to a lesser extent Rondo. The former two are supposed to be future Hall of Famers - they simply cannot be laying proverbial eggs in the playoffs.
Rondo is somewhat of a different story; second year player, etc. Furthermore, his game actually depends more on proper officiating than the other two, considering he gets leveled and thrown to the floor time and time again. Rondo's game is more subject to the ebb and flow of the officiating du jour.
Lastly, Kendrick Perkins is terrible, but most Celtics fans have known this for a long time now.
If the C's lose game 4, stick a fork in 'em. They're cooked.