Luck of the Irish?

Either the Boston Celtics magically got hot at the right time, or we aren't giving enough credit to a veteran savvy team.

The Celtics went 3-5 in April before the playoffs tipped off. Their home record this season (24-17) compared to last season (35-6) was horrific. However, Boston owned the road. The Celts went 26-15 which is tied for second best in the league. It was a season that seemed like their payroll was equal to their age.

After those sloppy last 8 games, the Celtics turned it on. They made quick work of Miami in the first round winning the series 4-1. Had Beantown not squandered away a late lead in game 4 against the Heat, brooms would have made an appearance in the sunshine state.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, the best team in the NBA this season, came next. The two teams split their 4 contests in the regular season. Boston looked youthful in a game 1 loss, that quite frankly should have been theirs. Game 2 the Celtics opened the flood gates. So that brings us to tonight.

Game 3 is a little under 7 hours away. Boston has stolen home court from Lebron and the Cavs. Now with "Elbow-gate '10" underway, writers and talk show hosts will say that is the key to the series. "James isn't himself." They will say. It helps, but it's not key.

The Celtics are neutralizing the king. Rondo is playing lights out as he just set a Celtic playoff record with 19 assists (none of those came in the 4th qtr), Pierce is his usual self, KG is hanging in there and Rasheed even showed up for a game! The Celtics, while seasoned, are playing near their title form in 2008. The question that fans across the NBA should be asking is how long will it last? This team flipped a switch, which most teams in all sports almost never do. It might be only a matter of time before Boston's Irish luck runs out. In the meantime, this run should be chalked up to playoff experience with a deep supporting cast. Tonight will tell us a lot about how deep a run this team can make.