2010 NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Magic (#2) Vs. Celtics (#4)

30 points aside, Dwight Howard isn't making much of a dominant defensive impact like he did in the 1st round. He's focusing (as he should) to make his shots, but it's affecting his defensive game. I'd much rather see Gortat out there than Howard, crazy as that sounds.

 

Magic have definitely been exposed this series.

Dwight Howard on offense
Rashard Lewis on offense
JJ Redick on general basketball IQ.

No one can beat the Celtics right now.

 

Matt Barnes on spinal integrity.

 

I would caution about making such a sweeping, premature conclusion. I have little doubt the Lakers CAN beat the Celts, but the games have to be played. If KG can get in both Pau's and Lamar Odom's heads again if they meet in the Finals, it will be very tough for the Lakers. But if Pau and Odom have grown up, I would favor the Lakers. They have an offensive weapon that can destroy defenses and open things up for others. The Magic don't have the "go to" player needed against a dominant defense like the Celts.

 

http://twitter.com/paulpierce34/status/14273604577

 

haha he doesn't lack confidence that's for sure.

 

i said before this series that carter would be an x-factor

but not only is carter no playing well but shard has been useless on offense.

16 point on 15 shots from carter and 2-6 from shard in 41 minutes is not going to cut it.

their defense is keeping them in the games but their offense has been shutdown by the celtics.

dwight gets 30 points on 13 shots shooting 69% and as a team they still shot 39% from the field.

that's just good defense by the celtics.

 

I for one was NEVER sold on the magic, their game plan is dull and predictable, Ive said it since day one of the playoffs, all it takes to beat the magic is a strong center, if you can push dwight howard away from the basket he is useless. He may have scored 30 and those moves were extremely stiff you can tell he was concentrating on every step he took and it was still ugly.

Single coverage on howard equals no open 3s, its a simple formula its just about having the personnel.

I thought if the bobcats could just score they had a legit chance at beating the magic. The played howard about the same way, using 4 bigs and using mohammed to push him away from the basket.

 

Odom is such a question mark. Sure, he went off against the Suns, but their defense for game 1 was so bad.

Perkins will probably be able to neutralize Bynum the way he is stopping Dwight (although he DID go off for 30 today).

Assuming Lakers - Celts:

Rondo >> Fisher
Allen << Bryant
Pierce > Artest
Garnett = Pau
Perkins = Bynum

So many good matchups.

Artest / Pierce and Gasol / Garnett are interesting matchups.
It will be a VERY good rematch of the 08 finals, should these two teams meet again.

 

Per Paul Pierce via twitter:

Anybody got a BROOM?

http://twitter.com/paulpierce34

 

Lebron won 2 games and pissed away a 3rd...............Just sayin lol

Celtics will win the championship this year

 

I just lost all of my little respect for him.

He should not be saying these things, as a professional basketball player.

 

I believe it would be a better rematch than before when Boston was so clearly better even though the Lakers were favored going in. Pau, in particular, would be intriguing to me. I would never forget it if he let KG destroy his confidence again. But I don't expect that would happen.

 

Why not, he is just saying that they have no intentions of returning to orlando

 

Why is the big call not the BS Perkins foul to get him out of the game? Boston was up 6 at the time. And why are you pulling for Orlando?

 

Paula won his FMVP against Vlad and Walton 2 years.
He'll revert to his 10ppg once he finds Artest harassing him.

 

In 1994, Charles Barkley said the Suns weren't coming back to Houston either. The term "Choke City" was born after that game but "Clutch City" later took it's place.

Orlando is on life support but they aren't dead yet. Still gotta play the games.

 

Is that really his account? Surely he can't be that stupid.

 

it says verified account

 

i actually predicted the celtics to win this in 5 or 6, and it most likely will happen that way.

boston just has everything rolling for them right now. different guys (except for rondo who is stepping up every game) step up every game. 2-3 of the big 4 usually step up, along with role players + defense, and that's usually good enough to win.

it'll be a good match up v. the lakers and i think they could beat the lakers too. the celts' defense is too damn good right now.

the celts will be extremely tough after beating both cavs and magic.