You could make a strong case that the Celtics headed into Sunday night's Game 2 knowing that it was a must-win game. Teams that have gone down 0-2 in the NBA Finals have lost the series 93 percent of the time.
So the Celtics approached the game knowing that if they went down 2-0, they would have to win four out of five games against a Lakers team that had only lost four total games throughout the playoffs.
What the Celtics proved in their Game 2 victory was that when their backs are against the wall they are nearly impossible to beat.
At the same time, when the Celtics have had their opponents' backs against the walls they've been less than unimpressive in showing a killer instinct to close teams out.
This particular Celtics nucleus has been together for three seasons. If you go all the way back to their 2008 championship run you'll see a pattern of lackadaisical play in series-clinching games.
In the Celtics first two rounds against the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers they had opportunities to close out their series in Game 6, and in both instances lost Game 6 and were forced to win the series in Game 7.
In the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals they were able to beat the Detroit Pistons in Game 6, but in the Finals they lost Game 5 when they were up 3-1 on the Los Angeles Lakers before winning the series in six games...
In the 2009 playoffs, the Celtics had a chance to close out the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the playoffs. Instead, they went three overtimes with the Bulls and ultimately lost before winning Game 7 back in Boston, 109-99.
In the following series, the Celtics had a chance to close out their series in Orlando against the Magic. Up 3-2 in t...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
