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

Yes, I'd say so.

 

Oh, I'm not saying the C's were firing at all cylinders... they did play well on the defensive end though. It gives the Magic something to work with, something to adjust to. It'll be a more evenly matched game in game 2 though.

 

He just might be, the guy is one of the only players I've known in the league over the last 8 or 9 years who can lock up good post players (like Yao and Gasol) and then be a matchup nightmare for perimeter players (like Rashard Lewis, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter).

I can think of any players in this era who has been that versatile on defense, or even over the last 20 years outside of Olajuwon, Pippen, and Rodman.

 

All according to plan.

 

How long will owners continue to ignore Tom Thibodeau?

 

Called this first game upset.

THe Magic will take game 2, but the Celtics looks more determined than their first championship (with this group) than last time.

 

More talented too. This Celtics team's only weakness is staying healthy. They may very well run through the top 3 teams in the NBA to get to the title.

 

I expect the Magic, especially Howard, to come out with more energy and precision in game 2. Howard has to decide to leave it all out on the floor because his effort for most of the game was pathetic. It was like he got too accustomed to Atlanta's sorry defense and wasn't used to working hard for his points and rebounds. He was pathetic against Rasheed Wallace. I also expect the Magic's perimeter passing and 3-point shooting to improve. Jameer Nelson needs to step up and not take the 1st half off again. He is the Magic's 2nd most important player.

For the Celts, they need to keep playing great defense and hope Ray Allen continues the production. If he continues knocking down shots, the Celts will win this series. It was troubling how the Magic got back into the game so quickly, but a win is a win.

If the Celts take game 2, you can probably turn out the lights. If the Magic bounce back, I'll probably call it a 50/50 series because the Celts don't play any better at home than the road and the Magic have been a very good road team for years. A few here might remember the first 4 games of Rockets/Spurs in 1995. If that ever happens again, this could be the series.

I didn't gain much confidence in either team beating the Lakers. The Celts collapse really bothers me.

 

I wouldn't call it a collapse. The Magic can just get hot faster than any team besides Phoenix, because they have so many shooters. They made a run in the 3rd to get within 3 and a run in the 4th to get within 3. Recall last year they were down 20 to Cleveland in each of the first two games and took the lead in both (winning one). That's just the type of team they are.

 

I would take td.

 

Man, I completely forgot there was a game today. And when I saw the results, I was floored.

I guess the break was more harmful for the Magic than I had thought.

 

I'd take Kevin Garnett over Tim Duncan anyday of the week.

 

First half was awful, and when they decided to play better in the 4th quarter it was obviously too late.

 

Boston basically played their best possible game while the Magic played their worst possible.... and only won by two.

I think the Magic are definitely going to win in 5 or 6...

 

It was by 4 but I still dont think the score indicates how "close" it was. Yes credit the Magic for attempting to make a comeback but Boston led by as many as 15-20 for awhile. JMO (Though I did pick Magic in 6)

 

The Magic played horrible ball for the majority of the game. If you seriously think Rashard Lewis/Barnes/Howard/Pietrus are going to play that horribly for another game in this serious, then you seriously are overestimating the Celtic's D.

 

Rondo wasn't taking shots - he was focusing on D/playmaking and KG has been overachieving in the playoffs so far (Look at the head to head between him and Rashard Lewis - you'll be shocked, he has regularly sucked against the Magic).

The Magic were made to beat the Celtics. I've no doubt that they're gonna win the series.

Paul Pierce is not going to score 22 points on 8 attempts the rest of the series nor will Ray Allen go off like he did tonight.

The season series this year was 3-1 in favor of Orlando. Carter regularly torches the Celtics, they literally have no answer for him. The difference tonight was Lewis and Howard mainly.

 

This is why I never consider the Magic a championship calibre team. They shoots way too many 3's and their center has no offensive skill. Now if you put Hakeem or Shaq on that team... may I say dynasty?

 

Well when they faced them in the regular season was Boston healthy those 4 games?