Scanning the blogs and beats following the Celtics' 96-89 win over the Cavaliers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals ...

Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer: "Game 5 wasn't supposed to be this way for the Cavs, especially when LeBron James opened with two beautiful finger-tip jumpers, spinning just right as they settled into the net. His outside shot was back, the Celtics should have been worried — and they were, as was this home crowd. [...] After all, James believes Game 5 of the playoffs belongs to him, especially when the two teams are 2-2. There have been three previous postseason games just like this, and the Cavs won them all. James carried them on his sweat-soaked shoulders, averaging 41 points in those games."

Steve Bulpett, Boston Herald: "He’s not a member of the Big Three, the New Three or the Three Amigos. He’s not even 23. But last night Rajon Rondo saved the Celtics season. And he did it with a couple of 3’s. [...] "I just took them with confidence and shot the ball," Rondo said. "The shot clock was running down on the first one, (Garnett) found me and I got the seams lined up and I shot it. Then the second one it was a transition fast break. I’d just hit one, so I said, 'Why not shoot the second one?'"

CelticsBlog.com: A thank you letter to Paul Pierce: "Perhaps more than anything else, it was just such a wonderful feeling to see the way you wanted the ball throughout this game, particularly at the end. You made sure the ball was in your hands so that you could make the crucial trips to the line for this Celtics team last night, and the team didn't regret it as you banged 11 of 13 free throw attempts. Yes, we saw you get lucky on one out-of-control play late in the game when the officials bailed you out with a trip to the line, but those are the types of situations that become a lot more likely to go your way when you are doing the right things in the first place, just as you did throughout the evening. You were taking the ball to the rack and making things happen, and this beloved green team of ours reaped the benefits."

Cavalier Attitude: "Where's Zydrunas Ilgauskas? The big fella was the lone bright spot for the Cavs during their first two games in Boston. Wednesday? Z played only 26 minutes and got off all of five shots. Look, we know that Z isn't exactly the most traditional 7-foot center in the league, but he’s still a luxury that most teams don't have. The Cavs absolutely have to find ways of getting him more involved and maximizing his strengths in Game 6 and, if necessary, Game 7."

Celtics 24/7: "The Celtics got extremely sloppy near the end of the game, and virtually begged Cleveland to capitalize and make a late run. The Cavaliers failed to do so, and especially went ice cold from the free throw line late in the game. Ray Allen, following a crucial turnover, came away with a huge tip rebound at the 19-second mark that helped seal the deal. Paul Pierce, who led the Celtics in scoring with 29 points, then proceeded to connect on four of five free throw attempts in the closing seconds to finish the job."

Patrick McManamon, Akron Beacon Journal: "Let's just state it simply: A team cannot win a road playoff game when it has lulls, when it loses its edge — even if it's only for a part of a game. Give the home team a chance to gain momentum, and it will seize it. The Cavs should know that fact, and understand it. If they don't, it was hammered home to them Wednesday in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals."

Dan Shaughnessy, Boston Globe: "Now comes the real test. Tomorrow the Celtics travel to Cleveland to take on Ma LeBron and the Cavaliers in a game that could legitimize Boston's championship candidacy and vault the Celtics into an epic conference final series with the menacing Detroit Pistons. The battle-tested Motown machine is not likely to dissolve into a puddle on Causeway Street, so it would be a good idea for the Celtics to demonstrate they are something more than hometown front-runners. This can only be done by winning a road playoff game, which still has not happened in this postseason. Boston is 7-0 at home, 0-5 on the road in the playoffs."

Brian Windhorst, Akron Beacon Journal: "After the game, LeBron made a little proclamation: "A LeBron James team is never desperate." I sort of differ on that one, but his point is fair. There’s no doubt that he has personal confidence going and if the Cavs play they way they did at home in Games 3 and 4 on Friday then there is a lot more interesting basketball left. But the Cavs now have no room for error and this team makes a lot of mistakes even in the best of times."

Related: The Internets are alive, 2008 NBA Playoffs