Celtics (2-2) at Heat (2-2) ECF Game 5 6/5

[alajet]

I'm not really the one to complain about officiating. But it has been awful in this series and it keeps going worse by each game. Look at game 4, in an ECF game, a ton of players were on the brink of fouling out. They simply didn't let the game to be played. It was mostly even, there were mistakes for both sides. But I don't like it that way, either. I could barely stop my laughter at some of those offensive foul calls.

The other option instead of calling fouls as they perceive them is to call double techs, which are even more annoying.

There were also some excellent but bold calls, such as the foul on KG when he was holding Lebron. The foul calls in the post when fighting for position seem almost impossible to me. There is so much contact and bodies obscure the refs' view of a lot of the contact. Plus, the contact is away from the ball.

I know. Double techs are a joke. It's just a move to stamp the officiating authority, but makes a mess of game play. There is always going to be a high level of intensity throughout these games. When two tough teams go against each other, refs should try to avoid calling the minor contacts for positioning to keep that intensity up, within the game rules, of course.
Lots of off the ball fouls, lots of moving screens, lots of charges have been called. It's a bit disruptive for the flow.
Luckily, the number of critical mistakes were not that high. That no call on the play when Rondo was hit on the head was the most influential officiating error and I hope it's not going to be repeated by any means for the rest.

[slamtheking]

With the Crawfords both used in the past 2 games I'm hoping they're out.

In the 2 games we won, including the one where the Heat were left with just Wade in OT? Seemed to work out well.

But that's not a fate I want to tempt twice.

[heitingas]

This game will be EPIC !!!!

[prov1ml34]

The NBA officials for tonight's Celtics-Heat game are Monty McCutchen, Ron Garretson and Derrick Stafford.

Could be worse I guess.....

[FLCeltsFan]

3 hugely homer refs:
Official Report

Monty McCutchen

11 playoff games as lead official

Home team win % of 81.8%

44.3 fouls called per game

51.9% of the fouls are called on the road team

1.3 technicals called per game

McCutchen has officiated 1,085 regular season, 80 playoff, and four Finals games. He worked the 2007 NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas and was a member of the crew that officiated the 1996 and 1997 Mexico Challenges, as well as the 1998 Schick Rookie Game. Prior to joining the NBA, McCutchen spent four seasons in the CBA, where he worked the All Star game his second year and the playoffs all four years. He also officiated the CBA Finals the last three years he was with the league. McCutchen missed the 1998-99 season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. He is a former elementary and middle school teacher and is fondly remembered by his students as a really nice guy. In searching for information on him, I found a Cavs' blog that blamed a loss to the Celtics on the officiating of Monty McCutchen. That was the game where Mike Brown was ejected and the Cavs made a furious comeback but fell short. In game 2 of the WCF, McCutchen flipped out on someone and yelled "I'm running this game not you!" as Serge Ibaka went to the line for free throws. Other than that, there's not a lot of controversy about McCutchen. The Celtics are 5-1 this season and 7-3 in their last 10 games with McCutchen on the court. One win this season was against the Knicks where they let them play and the Celtics shot 24 free throws to 21 for the Knicks. The second win was against the Bobcats where it was just the opposite. They called ticky tack fouls on both sides and let nothing go as evidenced by the 45 free throws taken by the Celtics and 35 by the Bobcats but the game was called fairly for both teams. The 3rd win was the Celtics subs vs the Heat's subs and they let them play with the Celtics taking 16 free throws to 7 for the Heat. Another win was game 3 vs Atlanta where they once again let them play and the Celtics took 25 free throws to 15 for the Hawks. The final win was game 7 vs Philadelphia where the Celtics shot 22 free throws to 20 for Philly and they called the game pretty well. The loss was to the Bulls where the Bulls shot 26 free throws to 18 for the Celtics but the game was called fairly. The Heat are 5-3 this season and 6-4 in their last 10 with McCutchen. He is a homer ref with a 45-19 home W/L record this season.

Ron Garretson

8 playoff games as crew official

Home team win % of 87.5%

42.1 fouls called per game

54.6% of the fouls are called on the road team

1.1 technicals called per game

Garretson, the son of former NBA official Darell Garretson (1967-94), has officiated 1,605 regular season and 182 playoff games, including 11 NBA Finals games, over his 24 seasons in the NBA. In addition, Garretson has two years of CBA officiating experience and two years of high school officiating experience in Arizona. Garretson earned his Associate of Arts degree from Golden West Junior College. He played football and basketball at Servite High School in Anaheim, Calif. and was recognized for his athletic achievements in 2000 when he was inducted into Servite High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Garretson was one of the refs that Mark Cuban was fined $75,000 for criticizing. Garretson called game 5 of last year's MIA/BOS series where the Celtics shot just 20 free throws to 38 for the Heat and the game was called pretty much one sided. The Celtics are 1-2 this season and 4-6 over their last 10 games with Garretson. One loss this season was to the Thunder and the Celtics shot 16 free throws to 19 for the Thunder. The game was called evenly and they let them play. The second loss was game 6 vs Philly where the Celtics shot 23 free throws to 28 for the Sixers and the officiating wasn't bad. The win was the OT win over the Hawks in round 1 where the Celtics shot 25 free throws to 15 for the Hawks and the officiating was good. The Heat are 2-2 this season and 7-3 over their last 10 games with Garretson. He's pretty much a homer ref with a home W/L record this season of 42-19.

Derrick Stafford

1 playoff games as crew official

Home team win % of 100%

35 fouls called per game

54.3% of the fouls are called on the road team

0.0 technicals called per game

Over his 23 NBA seasons, Derrick Stafford has worked 1,402 regular season, 99 playoff, and five Finals games. He was a member of the crew that officiated the 1997 McDonald’s Championship in Paris, the Legends All-Star Game in Orlando and the 2002 NBA All-Star Game. The 23-year NBA officiating veteran has also served twice on the Executive Board of the National Basketball Referee Association. Stafford has six years of CBA officiating experience, and he officiated Pro-Am basketball for six years. He also has seven years of collegiate officiating and 10 years of high school officiating experience in Georgia. Stafford is known to be quick to call technical fouls. Pat Riley and Stafford have a bit of bad blood between them. Back in 2003 when Riley was coaching, he accused Stafford of shouting "It's not about you." at Riley when Riley complained excessively about the calls. Stafford was suspended for 2 games as a result. Stafford was also fined as a result of a complaint that Lawrence Frank made when he was coach of the Nets. I found 4 other articles detailing complaints about Stafford for his actions or comments. It seems that Mr Stafford is a hot head who loves to lash out at players and coaches who question him. The Celtics are 3-2 this season and 6-4 over the last 10 games with Stafford on the court. Their regular season win was against Toronto and the Celtics shot 32 free throws to 20 for the Raptors. One loss was to the Lakers where the officiating was terrible and the Celtics shot just 5 (yes, that's FIVE) free throws to 20 for the Lakers. And you thought the 9 free throws against the Sixers in game 2 was bad. The second loss was to the Raptors where Toronto shot 31 free throws to 19 for the Celtics. He also officiated game 6 vs the Hawks where the Celtics shot 24 free throws to 10 for the Hawks. The final game was the game 3 win vs Philly where the Celtics shot 28 free throws to 22 for the Sixers. The Heat are 3-2 this season and 7-3 over their last 10 games with Stafford. He is a homer ref with a home W/L record this season of 42-19.

[j804]

3 hugely homer refs:
Official Report

Monty McCutchen

11 playoff games as lead official

Home team win % of 81.8%

44.3 fouls called per game

51.9% of the fouls are called on the road team

1.3 technicals called per game

McCutchen has officiated 1,085 regular season, 80 playoff, and four Finals games. He worked the 2007 NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas and was a member of the crew that officiated the 1996 and 1997 Mexico Challenges, as well as the 1998 Schick Rookie Game. Prior to joining the NBA, McCutchen spent four seasons in the CBA, where he worked the All Star game his second year and the playoffs all four years. He also officiated the CBA Finals the last three years he was with the league. McCutchen missed the 1998-99 season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. He is a former elementary and middle school teacher and is fondly remembered by his students as a really nice guy. In searching for information on him, I found a Cavs' blog that blamed a loss to the Celtics on the officiating of Monty McCutchen. That was the game where Mike Brown was ejected and the Cavs made a furious comeback but fell short. In game 2 of the WCF, McCutchen flipped out on someone and yelled "I'm running this game not you!" as Serge Ibaka went to the line for free throws. Other than that, there's not a lot of controversy about McCutchen. The Celtics are 5-1 this season and 7-3 in their last 10 games with McCutchen on the court. One win this season was against the Knicks where they let them play and the Celtics shot 24 free throws to 21 for the Knicks. The second win was against the Bobcats where it was just the opposite. They called ticky tack fouls on both sides and let nothing go as evidenced by the 45 free throws taken by the Celtics and 35 by the Bobcats but the game was called fairly for both teams. The 3rd win was the Celtics subs vs the Heat's subs and they let them play with the Celtics taking 16 free throws to 7 for the Heat. Another win was game 3 vs Atlanta where they once again let them play and the Celtics took 25 free throws to 15 for the Hawks. The final win was game 7 vs Philadelphia where the Celtics shot 22 free throws to 20 for Philly and they called the game pretty well. The loss was to the Bulls where the Bulls shot 26 free throws to 18 for the Celtics but the game was called fairly. The Heat are 5-3 this season and 6-4 in their last 10 with McCutchen. He is a homer ref with a 45-19 home W/L record this season.

Ron Garretson

8 playoff games as crew official

Home team win % of 87.5%

42.1 fouls called per game

54.6% of the fouls are called on the road team

1.1 technicals called per game

Garretson, the son of former NBA official Darell Garretson (1967-94), has officiated 1,605 regular season and 182 playoff games, including 11 NBA Finals games, over his 24 seasons in the NBA. In addition, Garretson has two years of CBA officiating experience and two years of high school officiating experience in Arizona. Garretson earned his Associate of Arts degree from Golden West Junior College. He played football and basketball at Servite High School in Anaheim, Calif. and was recognized for his athletic achievements in 2000 when he was inducted into Servite High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Garretson was one of the refs that Mark Cuban was fined $75,000 for criticizing. Garretson called game 5 of last year's MIA/BOS series where the Celtics shot just 20 free throws to 38 for the Heat and the game was called pretty much one sided. The Celtics are 1-2 this season and 4-6 over their last 10 games with Garretson. One loss this season was to the Thunder and the Celtics shot 16 free throws to 19 for the Thunder. The game was called evenly and they let them play. The second loss was game 6 vs Philly where the Celtics shot 23 free throws to 28 for the Sixers and the officiating wasn't bad. The win was the OT win over the Hawks in round 1 where the Celtics shot 25 free throws to 15 for the Hawks and the officiating was good. The Heat are 2-2 this season and 7-3 over their last 10 games with Garretson. He's pretty much a homer ref with a home W/L record this season of 42-19.

Derrick Stafford

1 playoff games as crew official

Home team win % of 100%

35 fouls called per game

54.3% of the fouls are called on the road team

0.0 technicals called per game

Over his 23 NBA seasons, Derrick Stafford has worked 1,402 regular season, 99 playoff, and five Finals games. He was a member of the crew that officiated the 1997 McDonald’s Championship in Paris, the Legends All-Star Game in Orlando and the 2002 NBA All-Star Game. The 23-year NBA officiating veteran has also served twice on the Executive Board of the National Basketball Referee Association. Stafford has six years of CBA officiating experience, and he officiated Pro-Am basketball for six years. He also has seven years of collegiate officiating and 10 years of high school officiating experience in Georgia. Stafford is known to be quick to call technical fouls. Pat Riley and Stafford have a bit of bad blood between them. Back in 2003 when Riley was coaching, he accused Stafford of shouting "It's not about you." at Riley when Riley complained excessively about the calls. Stafford was suspended for 2 games as a result. Stafford was also fined as a result of a complaint that Lawrence Frank made when he was coach of the Nets. I found 4 other articles detailing complaints about Stafford for his actions or comments. It seems that Mr Stafford is a hot head who loves to lash out at players and coaches who question him. The Celtics are 3-2 this season and 6-4 over the last 10 games with Stafford on the court. Their regular season win was against Toronto and the Celtics shot 32 free throws to 20 for the Raptors. One loss was to the Lakers where the officiating was terrible and the Celtics shot just 5 (yes, that's FIVE) free throws to 20 for the Lakers. And you thought the 9 free throws against the Sixers in game 2 was bad. The second loss was to the Raptors where Toronto shot 31 free throws to 19 for the Celtics. He also officiated game 6 vs the Hawks where the Celtics shot 24 free throws to 10 for the Hawks. The final game was the game 3 win vs Philly where the Celtics shot 28 free throws to 22 for the Sixers. The Heat are 3-2 this season and 7-3 over their last 10 games with Stafford. He is a homer ref with a home W/L record this season of 42-19.

Yuck, watch them take out one of our Big 4 minutes into the game as the officials last night did to Ibaka and OKC on the road

[jarufu]

3 hugely homer refs:
Official Report

Monty McCutchen

11 playoff games as lead official

Home team win % of 81.8%

44.3 fouls called per game

51.9% of the fouls are called on the road team

1.3 technicals called per game

McCutchen has officiated 1,085 regular season, 80 playoff, and four Finals games. He worked the 2007 NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas and was a member of the crew that officiated the 1996 and 1997 Mexico Challenges, as well as the 1998 Schick Rookie Game. Prior to joining the NBA, McCutchen spent four seasons in the CBA, where he worked the All Star game his second year and the playoffs all four years. He also officiated the CBA Finals the last three years he was with the league. McCutchen missed the 1998-99 season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. He is a former elementary and middle school teacher and is fondly remembered by his students as a really nice guy. In searching for information on him, I found a Cavs' blog that blamed a loss to the Celtics on the officiating of Monty McCutchen. That was the game where Mike Brown was ejected and the Cavs made a furious comeback but fell short. In game 2 of the WCF, McCutchen flipped out on someone and yelled "I'm running this game not you!" as Serge Ibaka went to the line for free throws. Other than that, there's not a lot of controversy about McCutchen. The Celtics are 5-1 this season and 7-3 in their last 10 games with McCutchen on the court. One win this season was against the Knicks where they let them play and the Celtics shot 24 free throws to 21 for the Knicks. The second win was against the Bobcats where it was just the opposite. They called ticky tack fouls on both sides and let nothing go as evidenced by the 45 free throws taken by the Celtics and 35 by the Bobcats but the game was called fairly for both teams. The 3rd win was the Celtics subs vs the Heat's subs and they let them play with the Celtics taking 16 free throws to 7 for the Heat. Another win was game 3 vs Atlanta where they once again let them play and the Celtics took 25 free throws to 15 for the Hawks. The final win was game 7 vs Philadelphia where the Celtics shot 22 free throws to 20 for Philly and they called the game pretty well. The loss was to the Bulls where the Bulls shot 26 free throws to 18 for the Celtics but the game was called fairly. The Heat are 5-3 this season and 6-4 in their last 10 with McCutchen. He is a homer ref with a 45-19 home W/L record this season.

Ron Garretson

8 playoff games as crew official

Home team win % of 87.5%

42.1 fouls called per game

54.6% of the fouls are called on the road team

1.1 technicals called per game

Garretson, the son of former NBA official Darell Garretson (1967-94), has officiated 1,605 regular season and 182 playoff games, including 11 NBA Finals games, over his 24 seasons in the NBA. In addition, Garretson has two years of CBA officiating experience and two years of high school officiating experience in Arizona. Garretson earned his Associate of Arts degree from Golden West Junior College. He played football and basketball at Servite High School in Anaheim, Calif. and was recognized for his athletic achievements in 2000 when he was inducted into Servite High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Garretson was one of the refs that Mark Cuban was fined $75,000 for criticizing. Garretson called game 5 of last year's MIA/BOS series where the Celtics shot just 20 free throws to 38 for the Heat and the game was called pretty much one sided. The Celtics are 1-2 this season and 4-6 over their last 10 games with Garretson. One loss this season was to the Thunder and the Celtics shot 16 free throws to 19 for the Thunder. The game was called evenly and they let them play. The second loss was game 6 vs Philly where the Celtics shot 23 free throws to 28 for the Sixers and the officiating wasn't bad. The win was the OT win over the Hawks in round 1 where the Celtics shot 25 free throws to 15 for the Hawks and the officiating was good. The Heat are 2-2 this season and 7-3 over their last 10 games with Garretson. He's pretty much a homer ref with a home W/L record this season of 42-19.

Derrick Stafford

1 playoff games as crew official

Home team win % of 100%

35 fouls called per game

54.3% of the fouls are called on the road team

0.0 technicals called per game

Over his 23 NBA seasons, Derrick Stafford has worked 1,402 regular season, 99 playoff, and five Finals games. He was a member of the crew that officiated the 1997 McDonald’s Championship in Paris, the Legends All-Star Game in Orlando and the 2002 NBA All-Star Game. The 23-year NBA officiating veteran has also served twice on the Executive Board of the National Basketball Referee Association. Stafford has six years of CBA officiating experience, and he officiated Pro-Am basketball for six years. He also has seven years of collegiate officiating and 10 years of high school officiating experience in Georgia. Stafford is known to be quick to call technical fouls. Pat Riley and Stafford have a bit of bad blood between them. Back in 2003 when Riley was coaching, he accused Stafford of shouting "It's not about you." at Riley when Riley complained excessively about the calls. Stafford was suspended for 2 games as a result. Stafford was also fined as a result of a complaint that Lawrence Frank made when he was coach of the Nets. I found 4 other articles detailing complaints about Stafford for his actions or comments. It seems that Mr Stafford is a hot head who loves to lash out at players and coaches who question him. The Celtics are 3-2 this season and 6-4 over the last 10 games with Stafford on the court. Their regular season win was against Toronto and the Celtics shot 32 free throws to 20 for the Raptors. One loss was to the Lakers where the officiating was terrible and the Celtics shot just 5 (yes, that's FIVE) free throws to 20 for the Lakers. And you thought the 9 free throws against the Sixers in game 2 was bad. The second loss was to the Raptors where Toronto shot 31 free throws to 19 for the Celtics. He also officiated game 6 vs the Hawks where the Celtics shot 24 free throws to 10 for the Hawks. The final game was the game 3 win vs Philly where the Celtics shot 28 free throws to 22 for the Sixers. The Heat are 3-2 this season and 7-3 over their last 10 games with Stafford. He is a homer ref with a home W/L record this season of 42-19.

Yuck, watch them take out one of our Big 4 minutes into the game as the officials last night did to Ibaka and OKC on the road

A conspiratorial gentleman might suspect those who have most to profit from the sale of tickets and other revenues might want the series to go to 7 games. A conspiratorial gentleman might ..

[SHAQATTACK]

Dealing with Homecourt advantage is one thing  , but the refs giving the home court team all the breaks just plain sucks. That should be the one thing the visiting team should be able to count on ...is at least an fairshake/close called game with no favortism to the homer crowd.  

The deck is really stacked against us.  I just can't get game three out of my mind....  

[tyrone biggums]

I'm going to be at the game tonight right behind one of the baskets. Hopefully I don't get murdered (then again people in Miami don't care) this should have been the close out game for the Celtics....

[FLCeltsFan]

I'm going to be at the game tonight right behind one of the baskets. Hopefully I don't get murdered (then again people in Miami don't care) this should have been the close out game for the Celtics....

My son went to our last win in Miami and he said he cheered really loud for the Celtics an nobody paid him any attention.  But that was regular season.  They may have a little more gumption (or beer) in the post season.

[Prof. Clutch]

3 hugely homer refs:
Official Report

Monty McCutchen

11 playoff games as lead official

Home team win % of 81.8%

44.3 fouls called per game

51.9% of the fouls are called on the road team

1.3 technicals called per game

McCutchen has officiated 1,085 regular season, 80 playoff, and four Finals games. He worked the 2007 NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas and was a member of the crew that officiated the 1996 and 1997 Mexico Challenges, as well as the 1998 Schick Rookie Game. Prior to joining the NBA, McCutchen spent four seasons in the CBA, where he worked the All Star game his second year and the playoffs all four years. He also officiated the CBA Finals the last three years he was with the league. McCutchen missed the 1998-99 season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. He is a former elementary and middle school teacher and is fondly remembered by his students as a really nice guy. In searching for information on him, I found a Cavs' blog that blamed a loss to the Celtics on the officiating of Monty McCutchen. That was the game where Mike Brown was ejected and the Cavs made a furious comeback but fell short. In game 2 of the WCF, McCutchen flipped out on someone and yelled "I'm running this game not you!" as Serge Ibaka went to the line for free throws. Other than that, there's not a lot of controversy about McCutchen. The Celtics are 5-1 this season and 7-3 in their last 10 games with McCutchen on the court. One win this season was against the Knicks where they let them play and the Celtics shot 24 free throws to 21 for the Knicks. The second win was against the Bobcats where it was just the opposite. They called ticky tack fouls on both sides and let nothing go as evidenced by the 45 free throws taken by the Celtics and 35 by the Bobcats but the game was called fairly for both teams. The 3rd win was the Celtics subs vs the Heat's subs and they let them play with the Celtics taking 16 free throws to 7 for the Heat. Another win was game 3 vs Atlanta where they once again let them play and the Celtics took 25 free throws to 15 for the Hawks. The final win was game 7 vs Philadelphia where the Celtics shot 22 free throws to 20 for Philly and they called the game pretty well. The loss was to the Bulls where the Bulls shot 26 free throws to 18 for the Celtics but the game was called fairly. The Heat are 5-3 this season and 6-4 in their last 10 with McCutchen. He is a homer ref with a 45-19 home W/L record this season.

Ron Garretson

8 playoff games as crew official

Home team win % of 87.5%

42.1 fouls called per game

54.6% of the fouls are called on the road team

1.1 technicals called per game

Garretson, the son of former NBA official Darell Garretson (1967-94), has officiated 1,605 regular season and 182 playoff games, including 11 NBA Finals games, over his 24 seasons in the NBA. In addition, Garretson has two years of CBA officiating experience and two years of high school officiating experience in Arizona. Garretson earned his Associate of Arts degree from Golden West Junior College. He played football and basketball at Servite High School in Anaheim, Calif. and was recognized for his athletic achievements in 2000 when he was inducted into Servite High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Garretson was one of the refs that Mark Cuban was fined $75,000 for criticizing. Garretson called game 5 of last year's MIA/BOS series where the Celtics shot just 20 free throws to 38 for the Heat and the game was called pretty much one sided. The Celtics are 1-2 this season and 4-6 over their last 10 games with Garretson. One loss this season was to the Thunder and the Celtics shot 16 free throws to 19 for the Thunder. The game was called evenly and they let them play. The second loss was game 6 vs Philly where the Celtics shot 23 free throws to 28 for the Sixers and the officiating wasn't bad. The win was the OT win over the Hawks in round 1 where the Celtics shot 25 free throws to 15 for the Hawks and the officiating was good. The Heat are 2-2 this season and 7-3 over their last 10 games with Garretson. He's pretty much a homer ref with a home W/L record this season of 42-19.

Derrick Stafford

1 playoff games as crew official

Home team win % of 100%

35 fouls called per game

54.3% of the fouls are called on the road team

0.0 technicals called per game

Over his 23 NBA seasons, Derrick Stafford has worked 1,402 regular season, 99 playoff, and five Finals games. He was a member of the crew that officiated the 1997 McDonald’s Championship in Paris, the Legends All-Star Game in Orlando and the 2002 NBA All-Star Game. The 23-year NBA officiating veteran has also served twice on the Executive Board of the National Basketball Referee Association. Stafford has six years of CBA officiating experience, and he officiated Pro-Am basketball for six years. He also has seven years of collegiate officiating and 10 years of high school officiating experience in Georgia. Stafford is known to be quick to call technical fouls. Pat Riley and Stafford have a bit of bad blood between them. Back in 2003 when Riley was coaching, he accused Stafford of shouting "It's not about you." at Riley when Riley complained excessively about the calls. Stafford was suspended for 2 games as a result. Stafford was also fined as a result of a complaint that Lawrence Frank made when he was coach of the Nets. I found 4 other articles detailing complaints about Stafford for his actions or comments. It seems that Mr Stafford is a hot head who loves to lash out at players and coaches who question him. The Celtics are 3-2 this season and 6-4 over the last 10 games with Stafford on the court. Their regular season win was against Toronto and the Celtics shot 32 free throws to 20 for the Raptors. One loss was to the Lakers where the officiating was terrible and the Celtics shot just 5 (yes, that's FIVE) free throws to 20 for the Lakers. And you thought the 9 free throws against the Sixers in game 2 was bad. The second loss was to the Raptors where Toronto shot 31 free throws to 19 for the Celtics. He also officiated game 6 vs the Hawks where the Celtics shot 24 free throws to 10 for the Hawks. The final game was the game 3 win vs Philly where the Celtics shot 28 free throws to 22 for the Sixers. The Heat are 3-2 this season and 7-3 over their last 10 games with Stafford. He is a homer ref with a home W/L record this season of 42-19.

Yikes.

[cman88]

I know its going to be hard to win tonight in Miami, but can anyone tell me why NOBODY is even giving us a chance to win tonight?? vegas has the spread at miami 8points, and all the ESPN analysts have said that Miami will come out in dominate tonight.

we played better/even to the Heat the last 3 games..and had leads of 15, 24, 18 at one point in each of those games..I think its abit too optimistic to say the Heat will run over the C's tonight

I expect it to be a close hard fought game, but I think its up for grabs IMO

[SHAQATTACK]

We aren't afraid of the moment ...lets  "GET -IT- ON" !

[j804]

UGH this sucks my power just went out and it's usually 1 and half to 2 hours when crap like this happens before it gets back on. If I got to miss some of this game going to be ticked. 

[ShermansShoes]

I'm a lurker.  Been lurking since I found the sight in 07 looking for KG trade info.  I didn't even know I was a lurker until reading Jeff's post. I get on at least  twice a day but never post. This is such a huge game I had to post my favorite Celtics Big Game ritual.  I listen to it a couple of times before tip off.  Not to be used for a mid Feb. game against the Wizards.  I'm sure someones posted it before.  The names have changed but it still amps me up.  Go Celts, Beat the Heat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RijtrBal1xg