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Can't close the deal.

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Howard walked the walk, the Celtics couldn't put them away and Orlando forces a game 7.

• Boston actually started off this game playing very well.  They moved the ball and got great looks at the basket and chased down all the lose balls.
• Then they pulled an Orlando and faltered down the stretch.
• Rondo came out strong and aggressive and had a nice all around game.  Usually when that happens we win.  Somehow that didn't happen this time.
• I love Ray Allen and it is hard to fault a guy that works so hard on his game.  With that said, his slump is really hurting us right now.  He should be destroying these guys and apart from one big 3 in game 5, we've gotten nothing out of him this series offensively.
• Another up and down game for Paul Pierce.  He was near invisible for much of the 2nd half before catching fire for 8 straight points to retake the lead.  I though that we were really going to start rolling at that point.  I though the Magic would fold like a card table again.  They didn't.
• Howard got his touches, but not by guilting his team into passing him the ball more.  He did it the right way (for his game) and hit the boards.
• It is almost unfair to expect greatness out of Glen Davis every game, but he's raised the bar with his play this postseason.  He didn't have a great game.
• Another day, another solid game for Perkins.  Howard just played better.  Tip your hat to him.
• All season long we've been bemoaning the turnovers.  They killed us tonight.
  

Bottom line is that the Celtics couldn't close the door.  They let the Magic back in this series and now they got to game 7 where someone is going home for the year.  I'm pretty confident that the Celtics can win at home (how about that home court advantage now?) but I wish they didn't have to.

More photos » by Elise Amendola - AP

A shot to the gut of the Orlando Magic.

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They couldn't make it all the way back in game 1, but they pulled it off this time. 

The Celtics played very, very poorly in the first 3 quarters and I kept waiting for the Magic to put the game away, but they simply didn't do it.  The teams were trading baskets in the early 4th quarter with the Magic leading by double digits and they couldn't close the deal.

Never, ever, ever, ever count this team out.

Celtics win.

• Celtics leading scorer: Big Baby with 22 (he's all grows up now)
• We don't have the option of coming back to win this if Marbury doesn't score 12 points in the 4th quarter alone.  I knew he'd come in handy eventually.
  
• Ray had a horrible game through 3 quarters, but a shooter never hesitates and he hit a big one when we needed it.
• Just a poor game for Rondo too, but the team overcame it.  Heads up loose ball play throwing it off Howard for the possession.
• I'm sorry but this Magic team can't close out anyone.  They play scared when the Celtics make a run.  Who is their go-to guy in the clutch?  Why can't they get a stop in the clutch?
• Solid all around game for the Captain; 19 points, 9 boards, and 8 dimes.
• Up 3 with seconds left and Doc had them foul.  Like it or not, it worked to perfection.
• Another "ugly win" game, but it counts as a W so no complaints here.

Here are some quotes from the Celtics twitter account:

• Doc: "I really thought Marbury and Baby kept us alive, gave us hope. The tough call was going back with the starters. It was a gamble..."
• Doc on Steph: "He keeps working every day. He's been very patient. He's handled it well and been a great teammate."
• Doc on Ray's big three: "We trust [Ray]. I told David Aldridge [in third quarter], we absolutely are going to Ray. He's a shotmaker."
• Doc: "We just grinded this game out. There were a lot of times we could have quit, but they just didn't."
• SVG: "I thought we played really well for 44 minutes. We just quit playing, we looked like we were trying to run the clock out."

Update: Can't believe I didn't mention this before now, but regarding the call with the ball grazing the rim:  I don't know if it hit or not, but how is it we didn't get a better camera angle than what we got?  Angles from above the rim and below the rim aren't going to tell us much.  We needed a side angle.  Regardless, I'm glad we got the call.  That's all I have to say about that.

Orlando Magic (2-2,6-4)  at  Boston Celtics (2-2,6-5)
Round 2, Game 5
Postseason game #12 Home Game #7
Tuesday, May 12
8:00 PM ET
TV: TNT
Pre/Post Game: CSN HD 7:00 PM ET, After the Game
TD Banknorth Garden 

Game Thread    l    Chat 

With the talk and emotions still swirling from the Celtics' win on Big Baby's last second shot in game 4, the Celtics prepare to host the Magic in what is sure to be an emotional game 5. 

Rashard Lewis felt that the Celtics celebrated the win too much and feels that the Celtics' behavior after their win will be motivation for the Magic.   The Celtics came very close to being down 3-1 and instead are coming into this game tied looking to take a 3-2 lead in the series themselves. 

The Magic will certainly be motivated and the Celtics will need to match their intensity.  They have home court advantage back courtesy of their last second win in game 4 and they must make that work for them.  The need to feed off the energy of the fans and play defense for 48 minutes.  Defense will be the key to winning this game. 

A big question mark in this game will be Perk's shoulder.  He is determined to play in this game in spite of tweaking his shoulder in game 4.  He refused an MRI because he didn't want to take a chance on them telling him he can't play.  Hopefully it was just a tweak and he will be fine to play. 

The Celtics have shown a lot of heart in this series and will need to show a lot more before it is over.   If they play their game today, the Celtics should finish with a 3-2 lead.   Git 'er done!

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Oh Baby!

View full size photo uploaded May 10, 2009

"Oh baby youuuuuu!  You got what I neeeeeeed!"

Not once, but twice Glen Davis stepped up and hit clutch shots to win the game tonight.  The best move Doc made all year was making Baby take extra jumpers in the offseason to give him that midrange shot.  Money.  Love it.

• The Celtics played very poorly in the first half and managed to stay in the game solely based on Paul's hot shooting. 
• I can't believe how bad a defender Mikki Moore was tonight, literally running away from Anthony Johnson as he drove the lane twice in a row.
• Good thing they built a decent 3rd quarter lead because it was all the C's could do to hold them at arms length the rest of the way.
• 2 points for our bench tonight.  Two.
• Odd stat line for Rondo, who got a sneaky 21 points and 14 rebounds but just 3 assists and 3 turnovers.
• Another day, another rock solid game by Perkins.
• Ray Allen 0-5 from 3 point range.  Got some points elsewhere, but his slump continues from long range.
• As Brickowski pointed out in the comments, very mature plays by Paul Pierce to pass the ball off in those situations at the end.  In years past he might have forced it up himself.  He trusts his teammate and Baby came through.

I don't know if we really deserved to win that game but good teams win those sometimes.  Thank you Big Baby.

More photos » by John Raoux - AP

about 1 month ago: Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers argues a call by an official during the first half of a second-round NBA playoff basketball game against the Orlando Magic in Orlando, Fla., Friday, May 8, 2009.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

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So much for momentum.  As expected, the Magic were jacked up on their home court and came out gunning.  The Celtics didn't help themselves by playing poor defense and shooting poorly.

It is hard to win a playoff basketball game when...

• Ray Allen goes 3-13.
• Anthony Johnson heads into halftime as the best player on the court.
• all your big men get into foul trouble (playing against Dwight Howard)
• you let the other team shoot 60% from the field

It goes down as a minor footnote, but the Celtics did mount a mini-comeback in the 3rd quarter to pull within 9 points but once again, that's not worth much if you are down 20 points to begin with.

By the way, the post season trend continues and we have to wait a day or so to see if the league decides to suspend Perkins for his forearm to the throat move.  Hard to believe that is what he intended to do, but I'm not sure that matters.  Take him out for a game and what hope do we have against Howard?  Cross your fingers.

So now the Magic have the series lead, home court advantage, and have taken back "momentum" (for what it is worth).  Now they get Alston back and have a chance to go up 3-1 if they can win another home game.

Boston Celtics (1-1,5-4)  at  Orlando Magic (1-1,5-3)
Round 2, Game3
Postseason game #10 Road Game #4
Friday, May 8
7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN
Pre/Post Game: CSN HD 7:00 PM ET, After the Game
Amway Arena   

Game Thread    l     Chat     

The Celtics come into Orlando with the series tied 1-1,  and need to pick up a game in Orlando to regain their home court advantage.   Game 3 could be their best chance to do so as the Magic will be without their starting point guard and their starting 2 guard is just coming back from injury.  

Anthony Johnson is expected to start at point guard and won't be able to match up with Rondo's speed.  But, with Courtney Lee expected back in the starting lineup, expect to see him guarding Rondo since he has the size and speed to stay with Rondo.  However,  Lee may not be 100% and also may be bothered by the face mask he will be required to wear.  Either way, if Rondo is aggressive and focused, he should be able to dominate this game once again.

The Celtics gained some momentum in game 2 as they played solid Celtics' defense throughout the game, got strong contributions from the bench and got back to moving the ball and finding the open man.  But, the best thing about game 2 could be the fact that Paul Pierce only played 15 minutes and should be well rested and ready to have a big game.

The Celtics need to remember what worked for them in game 2 and bring that same mindset and intensity to game 3.  They play best with their backs against the wall and they can consider themselves still there because they gave up home court advantage and must win in Orlando now to win the series.   If the Celtics come out focused,  play strong team defense,  and move the ball, they should come away with a win.

Today's Referees are

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More photos » by Charles Krupa - AP

Who needs Paul Pierce?

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Now it all makes sense; Paul Pierce was holding this team back.  Clearly the key to the series is playing less Paul Pierce.  Forget starting Scal, lets start Eddie House.

Oh yeah, and you know how much I hate saying "I told you so," but hey, I told you so.

In all seriousness, who can really figure out these Celtics?  They are like a box of chocolates.  You never know what you're going to get.  Plus you sometimes eat too many, get sugar rush and run around your living room only to end up feeling stick to your stomach (but you come back for more the next day).

Some random thoughts from a blowout win:

• An emphatic dunk sealed the deal on Rondo's 3rd triple double of the postseason.  Beautiful.
• Good things happen when you penetrate the lane.  Open looks inside and out for everyone.
• Big Baby started, picked up one quick foul, and Doc brought in Jackie Moon.  That's one way to have your cake and eat it too.
• How sweet is it when Eddie is House on Fire?  Well, Skip To My Lou isn't a big fan, but we'll see if he's playing the next game after that head slap.
• Kendrick Perkins is totally holding his own against Dwight Howard.
• Ray is still missing a number of 3's, but found other ways to get to his 22 points.  I expect that at some point his shooting averages will even out, ...then look out.
• Not sure why the starters were playing in the 4th quarter.  Maybe Doc wanted to get a practice in before heading to Orlando.

It is nice to take the momentum back, but winning at home is supposed to happen.  Now we have to do it on the road.  I like our chances but I don't expect the Magic to roll over and die either.