A gut check game is a non-elimination play-off game in which a team must show up in a big way or it is clear the series is over. They don't have to actually win (that would be a "Must-Win Game", but they must demonstrate their strong desire to win (if they have one).
The Boston and LA games tonight were gut-check games. Each team had lost their series opener, at home, forfeiting home court advantage. A second loss would mean going on the road for two games down 0-2. The reality is that such a series deficit has been overcome before. But the response of a team facing such a situation is indicative of their will to win (and their capability to). As it turned out, both teams came through, showing intensity and determination in victory.
"Must-Win Games" are a type of gut-check game. But there are also games like these, which are neither must-win nor elimination but are very telling of a team's capability to win a series.
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