Flip Saunders doesn’t sound like a coach worried about his future.
The Boston Celtics won Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final, pushing the Detroit Pistons to the brink of elimination and a possible shakeup.
Saunders has already outlasted his predecessors, Larry Brown and Rick Carlisle, both of whom lasted just two years.
But if Detroit loses in the conference final for a third straight season, there’s a chance Saunders won’t be back for a fourth year.
The Pistons’ nucleus, which has been together since winning a title in 2004, might also get broken up with another loss.
Saunders shrugged off the pressure on him going into a win-or-go-home matchup tonight at home, saying he’s excited about the opportunity.
“I really believe if we get Game 6, that we’re going to have a good opportunity in Game 7,” Saunders said yesterday.
If Boston falls to 0-3 in Game 6s this post-season, it will host its third Game 7 on Sunday night.
Paul Pierce said the last thing he and the Celtics are thinking about is being tired from their gruelling run.
“The only thing on my mind is getting a win, getting a step closer to being in the NBA Finals,” Pierce said after helping Boston beat Detroit 106-102 Wednesday night to take a 3-2 lead in the series. “I don’t think fatigue is going to be a factor for the rest of this series. The guys physically for the most part are feeling good, and it’s all about mental toughness right now.”
