Garnett: No comparison between Sixers, C's fans

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BOSTONKevin Garnett has been a thorn in the side of the Sixers throughout the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals by averaging 20 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. In the pivotal Game 5 on Monday night at the TD Garden, Garnett went for 20 points on 17 shots with six rebounds.
Garnett loves the big stage and he seems to thrive in hostile environments. So to ratchet up that animosity before Game 6, Garnett stoked the flames a bit by comparing the crowd at the Garden with the Sixers faithful at the Wells Fargo Center.
Not even close, Garnett said. In Boston you got fans and in Philadelphia you got fair-weather fans. Take that how you want.
It seems a little silly to call out the fans in another city before what could be the biggest game of the season, but Garnett has his own reasons for that. In the meantime, Garnett may have been feeling pretty good after taking a 3-2 advantage in the series with a chance to close it out on Wednesday night. The thing about that, however, is that the close-out game is always the most difficult one to win.
Meanwhile, the Sixers havent lost two games in a row during the entire postseason.
Well its not going to be easy, Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. Listen, this series is hard. Theyre a good team, theyre an athletic team. Every minute you think were leaking oil, physically. So weve got a quick turnaround here and were going to have to be ready. But I just want us to play the right way every minute and if we do that, I dont know if well win or not, but well be good.
Interestingly, the Sixers did a pretty good job of keeping Garnett out of the paint. Of his 20 points and eight baskets, only three came down low. On the midrange shots Garnett went 5 for 11.
When Garnett stepped out, though, he brought a big man like Lavoy Allen, Elton Brand or Spencer Hawes with him. As a result, Brandon Bass was open for backdoor cuts and the Celtics found him. Bass scored a season-high 27 points with 18 of them coming during the third quarter. To help him get those points, Rajon Rondo picked up 14 more assists to take his total for the series to 73.
It starts with Rondo, Brand said. You have to stop Rondo. Hes being aggressive, scoring layups, getting into the paint. It leaves Kevin Garnett open for a jumper, it leaves Brandon Bass open for a jumper or a drive. You know as many jumpers Bass hit, he had layups and free throws. Thats how you get 27 points on those 13 shots. Were going to watch a lot of film. We didnt watch a lot of film before this game but now we will, and we will correct things before Wednesday.
E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com.

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