I cannot believe some of the comments on this board stating that the Celtics are done. I have no problem with objective analysis when supported by facts, but blanket statements that the series is over due to a first game loss is ridiculous and intellectually lazy.  Here are some of the positive things I take from Game 1:

1.   If Ray Allen is going to have an off night shooting, then I am glad he got it out of his system in Game 1. If he did not show up in a Game 7, then we have problems. He is a shooter, pure and simple. He will make his shots, especially if Reddick is guarding him. Last night's poor showing was not due to Reddick's defense, but to Ray simply missing shots. He got some good looks. He will be a huge contributor in us winning this series.

2.   This is only Game 1. Ask the Bulls about the meaning of winning Game 1 of the playoffs at the Garden. They will answer your questions while working on their golf swings or making sandcastles on the beach.  There is a lot of basketball left to play.

3.   Game 2 is at the Garden. The fans will be rabid. If we tie the series, then it is a best of 5 with the pressure on Orlando to play well at home. I believe many teams play tight in the playoffs in front of their fans. If the series is tied, I think the Magic will play tight in Game 3 and we can steal one, like we did in Chicago. But Game 2 is at the Garden and that is huge.

4.   The Magic are not the Bulls. Sure the Bulls have a worse record over the course of the season. But with the acquisitions of Miller and Salmons to an already talented team, the Bulls played more like a 4 or 5 seed. Not all that much different than the Magic's 3 seed.  The Bulls are young, energetic, talented and posed all kinds of match up problems for us with their speed and shooting. The Magic do not play as fast a game, rely on the 3 point shot and Howard's rebounding. Howard did not have a dominant game last night, even though he pulled down a slew of rebounds because his teamates do not rebound. They are too busy playing the perimeter. If we avoid more 28 point deficits, then those missed shots by the Magic translate into a large Celtic lead rather than a game of furious catch-up.

5.  Marbury. He brought it last night and he needs to keep bringing it. Doc has to play him later in the game when/if Rondo gets erratic or loses his cool. We saw a glimmer of what he can do last night..  The Magic had no answer for him.

6.  The Comeback. Van Gundy can talk all about how a win is a win. But the Celtics have to be in their heads right now. Let's face it. Ray makes the three to trim the lead to one with a minute or so left and the Celtics steal Game 1. That cannot sit well with the Magic. And now the Celtics know they can come back on them. Without Garnett. Without Powe. No matter how many rebounds Howard hauls in. This is a big psychological edge. There were essentially two games last night. The first one ended with the Magic leading 67-39. The second one ended with the Celtics leading 51-28. The Magic came out with the W, but they also realize the Celtics are capable of blowing them out of the building. Without Garnett. Without Powe..........

7.   Heart Of A Champion. The Celtics never quit last night, although some of the fans did by early in the 3rd quarter. As optimistic as I am, I even sat dejected last night watching the slaughter. But they never quit, even though they were down by 28, drained by the Bulls series, without their best player and a key backup. You cannot teach heart and, quite honestly, the Cavs are the only other team I see remaining that plays with a sense of purpose and determination. The Cavs are playing like they will not be denied and I respect their drive and enthusiasm.  The Celtics showed that in the second half last night. This is a big reason why I think they will advance and play the Cavs in the next round. The two teams that want it the most will meet to decide who plays in the finals. The Celtics will simply not go down and they have too many character guys on the team to let them fail.

We all know about the negatives from last night. They are obvious to all. But this is only the first game and the Celtics will use the experience to their advantage. They do not need to figure the Magic out. They have already done that. What they need to do now is execute and play their game. The same game that "ended" 51-28 lat night.