How Will This Go?

by Jeff Clark on May 3, 2009 9:36 PM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

Marc Spears gives the following breakdown of the series:

The teams split the season series, 2-2. Orlando won the last two contests, but in the first game (86-79, March 8) the Celtics were without Kevin Garnett and Rondo, and in the second game (84-82, March 25) a gimpy Garnett played just 16 minutes in his final game of the season.

The Magic also have their share of key injuries. Starting shooting guard Courtney Lee missed the first-round clincher because of a sinus fracture. All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson was shut down for the season after tearing his right labrum Feb. 2.

The Magic are led by Howard, their All-Star center who was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Howard averaged 16.8 points, 15.5 rebounds, and 4 blocks against Boston during the regular season. Forwards Rashard Lewis (21.5 points) and Hedo Turkoglu (17.5) gave the Celtics trouble on the offensive end and are major 3-point threats, but the Magic will only go as far as Howard takes them.

Poll

Who will win this series?

Celtics in 6 or 7

1628 votes

Celtics in 4 or 5

165 votes

Magic in 4 or 5

68 votes

Magic in 6 or 7

299 votes

2160 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Love it!

As of 10:53PM, Sunday night:

Poll
Who will win this series?
75%
Celtics in 6 or 7
293 votes
10%
Celtics in 4 or 5
39 votes
2%
Magic in 4 or 5
8 votes
12%
Magic in 6 or 7
47 votes

Bring ’em on!!!

by Hal Jordan on May 3, 2009 10:54 PM EDT reply actions

similar prediction in number of games

Just back from the Orlando blog. Most of the predictions there also called for 6 games; and of course they picked the Magic. So I guess both sides agree this is a tough series.

by 33-32-00 on May 4, 2009 7:29 AM EDT up reply actions

If Perkins can stay out of foul trouble, I think the Celtics will win. Pierce will cover Hedo, but what about Rashard Lewis? My guess is that we will see more of Scalabrine, who guards the perimeter better than BBD.

Orlando’s problem is simple: Rajon Rondo.

by Brickowski on May 3, 2009 10:55 PM EDT reply actions

o well

Rashard is overrated anyway

"....you can't handle The Truth"

by kheeko on May 3, 2009 10:57 PM EDT reply actions

Won't be an easy series

but C’s should win this one. We are the better team.
C’s in 7!

by C's09Champs on May 3, 2009 10:58 PM EDT reply actions

No you're not.Our starting line-up is sick even without c.lee

Evan Almighty does not call his home runs because he thinks that's so 20th century.He simply uses technology and tells the GPS where to take the ball.
turkey-glue= Mr.4th quarter
Winslow, Ward, Leftwich, Freeman, Crowell, Stroughter, and Miller???? VERY NICE!

by AverageAlmighty on May 4, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Yep it's Perk, but...

it’s not only about his fouls. It’s that shoulder too. I’m worried about it. Bruisers like Howard and Gortat is just going to increase his injury risk.

It’s interesting that the Cs almost came back to beat Orlando without Rondo. And (as Stan Van Gundy so plaintively pointed out) they played much better when Garnett was out of the last game. I think it will be another evenly matched series. I think it’s setting up nicely for Cleveland though. They are definitely the healthiest team in the East right now.

by Berkcelt on May 3, 2009 11:10 PM EDT reply actions

Imagine putting Mikki on Howard ….

Cleveland is a lot like us of last year — healthy and confident. They had a pretty easy time in round 1. I also have followed the Heat-Hawks series, I neither of these two teams can last more than 5 games vs the Cavs.

by This is NOT NOT our year on May 4, 2009 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions

cleveland's a little different than us last year

they didn’t go 7 in round 1, and they might not go 7 in round 2.

by csung on May 4, 2009 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions

this is going to be a tough series. but magic are spotty. they are not nearly as offensive threat as the bulls are. i don’t think this series will have nearly as much overtime drama. though i do think it could get emotional. i wouldn’t be surpised if rondo gets ejected. i love rondo but i think his emotions are running really high right now. thats good because he is on fire, but he is getting more flagrants and “hard” fouls.

big baby is a lot more mature now then he was 2 months ago. he has a lot more experience, he has one playoff series under his belt. if perkins can lock down howerd then i don’t really see them having that much struggle. with big baby playing the way he is we really don’t miss KG offensively, yes we do miss him defensively..

by NEFOOL on May 3, 2009 11:39 PM EDT reply actions

Perkin and the perimeter

Hopefully that hit by Miller on Perkin’s shoulder didn’t cause anything serious. Perkin must stay healthy and stay out of foul trouble throughout the series. Without Perkin in the middle, the Celtics is pretty much like a donut.

Then defending the perimeter will be another factor. I don’t worry about our offense against the Magic. If the Celtics can play D like they did in the 2nd quarter of game 7, they can book tickets to Cleveland.

by This is NOT NOT our year on May 3, 2009 11:59 PM EDT reply actions

the key to the series is the refs. we are woefully short in the middle and we will miss powe. i can see ticky tacky calls on perk and howard banging around with no whistles. bbd will have to back up perk and scal and mikki on the shooter-lewis. ouch. rondo’s ankles and perk’s shoulder determine how far we go.

by nazzbo on May 4, 2009 7:16 AM EDT reply actions