these two played last year in the play-off too, and Orlando won (4-2 if im not wrong), but things are way different now.
Let's start with Celtics : Rondo is much better than last year, he is often leading his team through victory like a real guard. How he played in the series against Cavs was eloquent imo.
No more injured players : i remember Celtics had plenty of problems with injuries 1 year ago. Now they are i9n great form.
No more pressure : the pressure was on celtics last year, as they were the defending champs, but now orlando is the fav so the pressure is on them
Magic : Better 3pointers %. Having the best shooters from the league (or at least a lot of good ones) : carter, lewis, pietrus, nelson etc. This gives them a crucial advantage against anyone.
A raised morale after being invincible yet and, what few people remember, the psychological advantage over every team in the play-off : Magic has won all 29 series in the regular season, obviously, including celtics, lakers and suns.
The wild cards :
Magic - How will they handle they're first defeat (because i really think everybody disagrees that they will win 4-0). They have the field advantage here, and that could prove to be crucial and decisive.
Boston - how will they handle the unexpected success against the Cavs, a team that was everybody's favorite to win the East Final at the begining of the play-off.
What Celtics need to get through :
Garnett and Rondo to keep on keep on rolling like last night when they have both hit double-doubles.
Keeping Dwight Howard under 20 points/game. Sending him at the FT line is not quite the best solution, he;s better than shaq at this. I think that this will be the most difficult task the Celtics have.
Ray Allen and Rasheed Wallace to both achieve about three 3 pointers/game in order to answer Orlando's guards and forwards. Paul Pierce may also help here, as he has proven he can do it last night.
What Orlandoi need to get through ;
Over 50% in every match from outside the field. Celtics isn;t Atlanta nor Bobcats, they are a high quality team which will not be sent home after 4 games. If Magic wanna win back to back the East Final, they need to shoot well.
Defense. Celtics are were they are thanks to their lovely team-work. Rondo scores and has assists, Garnett scores and has rebounds, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce score when most needed. Wallace and Tony Allen are good solutions coming from the bench. Orlando needs to play some good defense against these guys to win 4 times.
Let's start with Celtics : Rondo is much better than last year, he is often leading his team through victory like a real guard. How he played in the series against Cavs was eloquent imo.
No more injured players : i remember Celtics had plenty of problems with injuries 1 year ago. Now they are i9n great form.
No more pressure : the pressure was on celtics last year, as they were the defending champs, but now orlando is the fav so the pressure is on them
Magic : Better 3pointers %. Having the best shooters from the league (or at least a lot of good ones) : carter, lewis, pietrus, nelson etc. This gives them a crucial advantage against anyone.
A raised morale after being invincible yet and, what few people remember, the psychological advantage over every team in the play-off : Magic has won all 29 series in the regular season, obviously, including celtics, lakers and suns.
The wild cards :
Magic - How will they handle they're first defeat (because i really think everybody disagrees that they will win 4-0). They have the field advantage here, and that could prove to be crucial and decisive.
Boston - how will they handle the unexpected success against the Cavs, a team that was everybody's favorite to win the East Final at the begining of the play-off.
What Celtics need to get through :
Garnett and Rondo to keep on keep on rolling like last night when they have both hit double-doubles.
Keeping Dwight Howard under 20 points/game. Sending him at the FT line is not quite the best solution, he;s better than shaq at this. I think that this will be the most difficult task the Celtics have.
Ray Allen and Rasheed Wallace to both achieve about three 3 pointers/game in order to answer Orlando's guards and forwards. Paul Pierce may also help here, as he has proven he can do it last night.
What Orlandoi need to get through ;
Over 50% in every match from outside the field. Celtics isn;t Atlanta nor Bobcats, they are a high quality team which will not be sent home after 4 games. If Magic wanna win back to back the East Final, they need to shoot well.
Defense. Celtics are were they are thanks to their lovely team-work. Rondo scores and has assists, Garnett scores and has rebounds, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce score when most needed. Wallace and Tony Allen are good solutions coming from the bench. Orlando needs to play some good defense against these guys to win 4 times.
