Durability aside, this is why Yao consistently owns DH and is a far superior scoring threat compared to dwight.
Orlando just sucked ass today.
McGrady should've stayed in Toronto.....Marbury should've stayed in Minnesota.
Durability aside, this is why Yao consistently owns DH and is a far superior scoring threat compared to dwight.
Orlando just sucked ass today.
So far, I am right. This looks like Celtics in 6.
Magic have favorable matchups on the perimeter, but they have to take advantage of them like they started to in the 4th quarter, and the drive-n-kick when the easier shot is at the rim has to cease. Could very well be Celtics in 6, but I wouldn't put it passed the Magic to win in the same amount of games.
I don't see any good matchups for the Magic in this series. Garnett is a little soft but he is guarding basically a SF. Goes right into his hands. He could use his length to bother Lewis and not get overpowered. I really think the Magic overachieved. I mean with Carter being your second best player is not a good thing. A team like the Celtics will not let a player like Carter go off on them. Perkins is perfect against post players. Congrats to the Magic for a great season but it really looks like they are overmatched.
It was just one game. Remember how terrible Boston looked in Game 3 of their ECSF series. I wouldn't read too much into 48 minutes of basketball that came down the final possessions.
Howard is a mismatch in the sense that he creates problems for a lot of Celtics offensively. C's are in a good position to mitigate him offensively with Perkins a good defender and almost always the last offensive threat on the floor (and can therefore concentrate on defending Howard).
The Magic are easily the deepest team in the league, with multiple valuable pieces at nearly every position. Even their "weak" players like Carter and Lewis are above-average players, if only barely (at least Lewis used to be, maybe not so much anymore). Gortat, Bass, Barnes, Williams, it is just sick how productive their backups and role players are.
I know depth counts for less in the postseason with tighter rotations, but it counts for something and is underrated IMO. Howard is still an MVP level player despite his flaws. Great team that still has a good shot at winning it all.
I agree but Celts only 3 wins away from the Finals now with 3 games at home and one of teh best road records ...my guess is Boston in 6 or 7
Length aside, KG can't stay in front of Lewis.....even Jamison was blowing by him. Lewis made some dumb plays after getting penetration that forced the Magic to have to settle for long jumpers, but I've got to believe he's going to make adjustments come Game 2.
Nelson was blowing by Rajon and whoever else they put in front of him with one dribble.....to the Celtics credit, they don't have anyone that can guard Rajon straight up either.
Ray Allen was fouling everyone that he defended one-on-one because he couldn't stay in front of them.
The biggest problem for the Magic in Game 1 is that they came off of screens and were shocked to find Boston in their passing lanes upon the ballhandler picking up his dribble, preventing spot-up shots and layups for cutters....when they forced the issue and continued to attack the basket off of those same screens there were opportunities there. They finally did this consistently to end the game and pressured the Celtics into no man's land when whoever was guarding Dwight had to come over and help whoever was driving or stay home to not allow him to get a weakside rebound/putback and give up an easy layup.
They've also had some pretty big letdowns at home, despite their prowess on the road. Still a ways to go.
Winning Game 1 is huge -- I think nearly 4 in 5 teams that do win the series, imagine that number may be higher when winning that Game 1 on the road.
That said, Magic only need to win 1 game on Boston's floor... and the C's have made a habit of losing games at home all season long.
Boston made themselves the favorites to win the East today, but I wouldn't call it overwhelming... 60/40 at this point IMO. We'll see how it pans out.
Boston sucks at home, this series will go 7 now I think. Orl played the worst game they could today & were rusty as ..They almost came back from a 20 point deficit, not a good sign for Boston the way they let teams back into games. I would just keep going at KG & Perkins, both of em are slowed down with minor injuries. Too bad Orl has a bunch of sissy players, they need to man up if they want this series. Boston tries intimidating teams with their fake thug act & I think Dwight is too mentally soft to be a leader at the moment.
lol Hoping for Magic I see. The Celtics own the Lakers.
The Magic better win game 2 or they will wind up just like the Cavs did last year. I hope they do win game 2. I don't want another Celtics-Lakers Finals. Too many in times.
5-1 at home in the playoffs. I would hardly call that "sucking at home".
bostonguy just delivered a dagger right in between j dizzle's buttcheeks. As he reads this post about something entering buttcheeks, he becomes excited and visits his favorite pictures of Gay Bears.
I AGREE with teh above but ...winning game 1 means a lot especially when you are the more battle-tested team we'll see Magic played like crap and still almost won ...
BUT Celts played like CRAP AND DID WIN!
Everyone plays like crap against this shut down defensive team known as the Celtics. I don't know where this intensity was in the regular season but they have taken it to another level now. Orlando will need to do the same against the Celtics as I think this will be a low scoring series for Orlando.
Celtics kinda remind me of the 03-04 Pistons.
The Mavericks kinda remind me of the 2007 Mavericks.
The refs are letting the teams play defense this playoff season. You can put your hands on people and there is no accompanying whistle. This decree out of NY/Stern bodes well for Boston.
The Celtics are playing great ball...They have too many good players...No way Gundy can match Doc as a game coach...Gundy cracks me up...He is just a cheerleader during the game & offers no insight as to how to change things around...NBA coaches need to articulate game changes...Not just Just rah rah rah, you have to want it, you have to play hard, we have to be smart....
OK Coach could you please just diagram a play?
Yep. I love the dude but he would get a nasty spanking from most of the greats that came before him. He simply has no offensive skills. It's hard to watch because I wish he was so much better...but he just isn't and I'm not sure if he has the mentality to be. He doesn't have the fire.
And the 1998-1999 San Antonio Spurs.
Shut ur trap got. Boston isnt nearly as dominant at home compared to 2008. They blow leads like crazy, they just havent played a team yet with 3-4 legit scorers. Orl WILL win a game there. Thats why I say it'll go 7 now.
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