This is Rondo’s breakthrough-to-superstar game. If there is a crunch time the C’s will jump on Rondo’s back. Not Paul’s. Not Ray’s. Rondo will carry us to the next round. He’ll fill up the stat sheet as usual but will be even better with the game on the line. Nobody on Orlando can guard him and he’ll be able to roam defensively because Alston will be rattled in a game of this magnitude.

its been a fun season, the best we can hope for tonight is a good game.

So far, the Magic are running the Celts off the court.

Magic are pushing, getting penetration and dishing for dunks and wide open 3s.

Magic are also playing good D.

They came out to hit the C’s hard. The C’s have not yet responded.

so far, they’ve solidly outplayed the C’s

they look faster and looser

they also have a game plan … run the C’s out of the building

we’ll see if they can keep it up; and we’ll see if the C’s respond

as always, the C’s need to start with D; stop the penetration

Alston, Lewis and Turkoglu are driving at will

the Magic get to play with a lead

they’re loose

the crowd is quieted down

and the Celtics are playing tight, trying to get it back all at once

there’s a long way to go; at this point, if the C’s can get back to even by halftime, that will be a success

his D is terrible; his O is terrible

he’s trying to do too much on O, and not contesting on D

turnovers of the PGs have been awful also

team needs to play with speed, but also with poise

Pierce and Perk are the only ones who have shown up so far (and Ray a bit)

Perk misses a layup and doesn’t take it up strong

Marbury fumbles a pass out of bounds

Scal rushes everything

they are playing like rookies (except Pierce)

the Magic are loose

the C’s prep and game plan right now looks horrible

if they keep rushing, they’ll get blown out

they need to settle down, D up and execute

get back in slowly at first and then quickly when they’re in a rhythm

a few stops, a few makes and we’re back

I’m still hopeful about the ultimate outcome, but the C’s really like to make things difficult on themselves

better D, and Ray Allen going to the basket — gee, what a concept

the role players need to play roles, not try to be heroes

Ray and Paul have enough juice tonight to win this game

we need a more solid contribution from everyone else

just do your job, and the C’s will win

and stop the penetrations

forget about all the double and triple teams on Howard

we should be praying they try to execute through him

he does most damage on rebounds and dunks

let him play one on one

stick with your guys

team is trying to do too much, over-reacting and not showing discipline

Doc needs to get them settled down

he underestimated how much guidance the young guys need

BBD and Marbury and Scal are essentially playoff rookies

in this horrid 1st half, it’s that the team shouldn’t be tired

unlike last game, where I thought they’d expended too much by the half, this game they should have everything left down the stretch

small consolation

because otherwise, it’s scary bad

how many times does Rafer Alston have to torch him before he goes over screens instead of under

it’s as if because the Magic are dissing Rondo and laying off him, he’s decided to do the same to Alston and Alston is torching him

Rondo needs to grow up in a hurry; it’s not a one on one battle; it’s a team game

just win the game

I don’t care if they’re laying off you; just play D

C’s ball, four down; horrible execution and then no D

Doc needs to get in Rondo’s face at half and get him mad

I’ll give him a pass if it later turns out his ankles are so bad he can’t guard anyone, etc.

but as far as we know, he’s ready to go … he really was not good in the first half

too bad, because Pierce and Ray Allen are playing decent

with any effort, any poise, any execution, any bench contribution etc.

we should win this going away

unless, of course, the Magic come out and ram it down our throats like they did in Q1

as always, it starts on D: get stops and confidence will grow, the Magic will get tight and the basket will open up for the C’s; get to the FT line and keep Magic out of the penalty

if the C’s trade baskets, it will come down to the end and it’s a fifty-fifty game

if they play D and get 4-6 minutes out of the bench (without blowing the game), the C’s will win

our PGs (Rondo and Marbury) and our PFs (BBD and Scal) were the ones that screwed up the first half

except for Rondo, they are all the equivalent of playoff rookies, and it showed; they were tight, they rushed, they didn’t contest, they were over-reacting, they tried to do too much and they turned it over

I really hope they settle down in the 2nd H

I’m somewhat optimistic; Magic came out on fire; we were terrible; and it’s still a game

I’m assuming we find some composure and settle down; if we do, we should win this game

every score is Lewis or Alston

why does BBD ever leave Lewis?

Doc should call timeout and get in his face not to leave his man

Rondo trying to do too much; not a good shot against Lewis

so far, the team has wasted a few chances to get the game even

it’s still the C’s game, but they need to show some composure

they rush and shoot in the 1st ten seconds of the possession

really poor patience; it’s like they’re trying to win the game with one shot

they need to keep executing

on D; the inability to stop penetration is just killing us on open 3s

the Magic are fighting harder through picks, and the C’s are not

once again, I can’t explain this; how come the Magic are showing more effort fighting through screens?

so far in this game, the Magic are playing like the more confident, experienced team, and the C’s are playing like nervous first-timers

when they get it to 4, just settle down and execute; and for God’s sake, cover the wide open 3

Howard has done nothing; stop Turkoglu’s drives and cover the 3s

yes, there’s a lack of patience on offense … shooting the first shot, with no rebounders under the boards

but what’s killing the team is the lack of D … just trading baskets

guys are running around with no discipline; they’re showing no composure or patience

they could overcome this lead in about 2 minutes; they have a huge amount of time

they need to stop rushing and start bearing down

their hands are not active … get hands in the passing lanes

OK. Good finish. But terrible quarter.

C’s could easily have gone up in the quarter.

Perkins, go up strong. Two missed bunnies. Absolutely terrible. (And Perk butterfingers on the previous possession).

I still like our chances, but the team is going to have to start playing D.

we needed 4 minutes out of the bench; we’re not going to get it

that’s why you don’t put E House in; terrible play

BBD also killing us again with a no contest

disastrous start to the 4th

does House even exist on D

get him the … off the court

we might still win

but the Magic have solidly outplayed us so far; they came out in the 4th and put the hammer down; our guys are just floating around

as always, it starts with D; so why is E House in the game?

Magic playing to win; so far, our team isn’t

why didn’t Doc game plan to pick up full court with TA and Rondo for 3-4 minutes in the 1st half?

really, really uncreative coaching; team seems really unprepared mentally and in terms of game plan

C’s showing phony hustle

no excuse for 11-0 Magic run to start the 4th

now the team is just tanking: Pierce missing FT etc.

once again, the C’s are sulking; time to show some pride

at least fight all the way through the game

Magic are faster to the ball; getting every loose ball

this was a game that was easily within reach

at the critical time (start of the 4th), the C’s just disappeared

we needed stops, not jackup 3s by Marbury

C’s will need to show great composure; if they rush, they’ll just get blown out more

the Magic should be playing really loose right now; we need to narrow the gap to 7 or so in the next few minutes

Its too bad, but I cant say im suprised, I said before game 6 that it was a must win game, and it looks like I was right. big offseason coming up

that missed rebound sums up the C’s

horrid, horrid play

no box out, no rebound, team sitting around watching

they played 24 seconds of D and screwed it up by not rebounding … no excuse

down 21

it’s probably too late

once again … missed layups, missed FTs and no D

team came up really small tonight

and Gortat turns into superman

team’s D is absolutely horrendous

and why should they be; no one played D in the 2nd half; traded baskets all night long

pull off the suit and get in the game

ha … or get it to 7 with 3 minutes left

time to scramble on D

there’s still time; but it will take almost perfect offensive execution

(we’re now seeing why that 11-0 run to start the 4th was a killer)

stupid, stupid, stupid

and Turkoglu looking like a superstar

C’s completely blew the game in the 3rd and early 4th Qs

maybe they wouldn’t have beaten the Cavs (probably not)

but I still would have liked to have seen the effort

no excuse for this game

team came up really small

hope they come back next year ready to get back to playing

just going through the motions

team is done

Congratulations to the Magic

they wanted it; they deserved it

Congratulations to Magic

great season for C’s (except the injuries)

just not enough to beat the other teams in the playoffs

overall, a game effort during the season

they’re not going to win every year

we’ll get ’em next year

have a good summer

see you guys next year

Thank you Doc Rivers for burning out Pierce and Allen in a ridiculous quest for homecourt advantage that lastedjust one game against Orlando
Thank you KG for malingering on the bench for three months. Geez, either have surgery or get your ass on the court. Maybe he should have called up Willis Reed or Larry Bird or Kevin McHale, and asked them about some intestinal fortitude.

Pierce is not the problem. He’s tired. He played all of his minutes, plus KG’s for the last three months!