Poll: Predict The Orlando Magic / Boston Celtics Series Outcome

by erivera7 on May 3, 2009 3:00 PM EDT in Diversions Comment 46 comments

Well, the Orlando Magic finally know who their opponent is in the second round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs. The defending champions, Boston Celtics.

I know that a number of people in the community have been offering their predictions for what may occur between the Magic and Celtics, so I figured I'd make this poll so that everyone can provide their thoughts. For those that care, expect the experts to offer their predictions today and tomorrow. When those begin to roll through, make sure to drop by 3QC to check them all out in Ben's Playoff Central post.

There's no doubt that a matchup pitting Orlando and Boston should be extremely competitive and entertaining, so it'll be interesting to see how everything shakes out in the next coming weeks. Needless to say, this is an important series for the Magic.

May the best team win.

Free protective masks given to those that offer some analysis with their prediction.

Poll

Who do you think will win the series and in how many games?

Celtics in 4

26 votes

Celtics in 5

67 votes

Celtics in 6

410 votes

Celtics in 7

317 votes

Magic in 4

27 votes

Magic in 5

68 votes

Magic in 6

550 votes

Magic in 7

131 votes

1596 votes | Poll has closed

1 recs | Comment 46 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

protective masks?

like that one. maybe it could become new orlando magic item?
you know,like horace grant googles?
anyway,magic in 6 is what is most likely to happen. i bet C’s in 6 is the prevailing prediction on the celtics blog,though.
but they are tired,and let them explain how could they let an easy series vs 7 seed become such a thriller?
what?
did i hear kg?
bah.
here they go again.

by Dzogi on May 3, 2009 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

Magic or Celtics in 6 will be the popular predictions.

Maybe a few Celtics in 7 tossed in there as well.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

I comment WAY too much.

Die for my family and live for the moment/And that's the main difference between me and my opponent - Phonte of Little Brother

by erivera7 on May 3, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Magic in six

We need to get one of the first two, absolutely desperately. The Celtics are tired, they have to be after the series they just played, and we’ve just remembered how to play basketball again. If we get that ball movement, those rotations and that effort with Dwight back in the lineup, the Celtics won’t be able to hang with us offensively. Not for two games.

But we need to bring the D. We need to constantly worry the Celtics off shots and passes, force the turnovers they’re prone to. We have to keep people out of the lane – and get Dwight intimidating them when they do get in.

If we can get one of the first two, we need to hold onto homecourt. They’ll come back hard in game 5, but that gives us game 6 to close out the series. And we can do that.

I believe in Magic.

At least I’m convincing myself I do.

by eltharion_doa on May 3, 2009 3:41 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Yeah, ideally .. the Magic would win in 6 and you alluded to how.

Split the first two games and hold serve at home. Orlando does that and it’s a 4-2 series victory. If the series goes seven, I can’t see how the Magic beat the Celtics on the road. Just can’t see it happening.

Orlando just needs to push the tempo and run Boston into the ground. That’s one of the keys in the matchup. Make it a battle of attrition because the Magic will logically have the advantage energy-wise.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

I comment WAY too much.

Die for my family and live for the moment/And that's the main difference between me and my opponent - Phonte of Little Brother

by erivera7 on May 3, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

let's pay boston a visit.

i agree. first two games are most important. they don’t know hat to expect,and sincerely,neither we do. but we are very good road team,and i’m absolutely sure we shall win at least one of those games. i don’t know how they limited dwight to 13/12 during the season( or something like that),but that won’t happen again. again,defence is the key.
magic in 6 hopefully,in 7 for sure. we are simply better at this time as a team.
basketball is not one on one,put those analysys aside. it’s a team game.

by Dzogi on May 3, 2009 3:53 PM EDT reply actions

I think this a very tough matchup.

Even without Kevin Garnett I think Boston poses the toughest matchup in the NBA for us. We also need a healthy Courtney Lee.

I said Magic in 7. I think Boston goes up 1-0 on us. Without Courtney Lee, I think Ray Allen and Rondo wear out our defense. Alston and AJ can not guard Rondo alone and will need quite a bit of support. Perkins is one of the 3 or 4 guys in the NBA that can really handle Dwight.

However, I believe we take a game in Boston, they take on in Orlando. Which brings us to game 7. All indications would be Boston has the advantage here, but without KG, I honestly think the best team wins this game. Chicago hung with them in the first half, but the better team prevailed. Boston failed to guard the perimeter in the first half, and if they do this against Orlando, the Magic clearly have the ability to exploit it.

"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"

by UNFNOLE on May 3, 2009 5:01 PM EDT reply actions

well said

i cant buy the “just cant see orlando winning on the road in game 7” argument because it’s based on the assumption that experience and home court advantage are more important than actual measurables.

by Roc on May 3, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Can’t underestimate the factors home court brings to the table. Can Orlando beat Boston on the road? Yes. Can Orlando beat Boston on the road in a Game 7 environment? I’m not so sure. It may seem silly that the answer changes simply because of what game it is, but the higher the stakes, the tougher it gets for a road team to step onto an opponent’s court and come away with a victory.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

I comment WAY too much.

Die for my family and live for the moment/And that's the main difference between me and my opponent - Phonte of Little Brother

by erivera7 on May 3, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Perkins can handle Howard on the low block.

In pick & rolls, that’s another story.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

I comment WAY too much.

Die for my family and live for the moment/And that's the main difference between me and my opponent - Phonte of Little Brother

by erivera7 on May 3, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Magic take it in 6

Return of Dwight plus Celt fatigue translate to Magic taking one in Beantown. Return home and (hopefully) return of C. Lee means Magic win on Wed. and the guys are going to win for their Moms on Sun. Boston takes one at home and then Magic close it out at home.

Lori

by lorisays on May 3, 2009 5:09 PM EDT reply actions

Off topic

The Nuggets are fun to watch

"My features are that of a god, its not a facade these rappers wanna be NaS"- Nasir Jones QB's Finest

Kristin Kreuk is teh love.

Still miss em: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvvgVn0gg1E

by Wasabi Steak on May 3, 2009 5:49 PM EDT reply actions

Enjoy it while it Lasts!!!!

To all you Magic Fans out there… I’m takin the Magic in 6, so lets get this done and enjoy your success while it lasts…. that is til you make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, and run into a Brick Wall in Lebron and the Cleveland Cavaliers….. I’m sorry… But it’s OVER!!! The Cavs are gonna finish with nothing less of a NBA Championship and Lebron an MVP award…. GO CAVS!!!!!

by CavsChampionship09 on May 3, 2009 6:09 PM EDT reply actions

Such an educated response.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

I comment WAY too much.

Die for my family and live for the moment/And that's the main difference between me and my opponent - Phonte of Little Brother

by erivera7 on May 3, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions

we OWN the cavs

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 3, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions

.. in the regular season.

Whether or not the Magic can carry the success over to the playoffs remains to be seen.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

I comment WAY too much.

Die for my family and live for the moment/And that's the main difference between me and my opponent - Phonte of Little Brother

by erivera7 on May 3, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Blazer fans realise there's something to be said for regular season records,

particularly if one teams has simply dominated the other, as the post season is a matchup game. Obviously it’s not definitive, but certainly bodes well, and makes a clean argument for assuming the Cavs a championship as hollow logic.

I am no longer able to participate in this discussion due to a moderators request...
by TrentEdwardsHoF2018

by Screen Name on May 3, 2009 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

Exactly.

by fwedo on May 3, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions

^ lame

I am no longer able to participate in this discussion due to a moderators request...
by TrentEdwardsHoF2018

by Screen Name on May 3, 2009 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Gortat Dance!

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s165/dslemley/gortatdance.gif

"My features are that of a god, its not a facade these rappers wanna be NaS"- Nasir Jones QB's Finest

Kristin Kreuk is teh love.

Still miss em: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvvgVn0gg1E

by Wasabi Steak on May 3, 2009 6:11 PM EDT reply actions

Nice.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

I comment WAY too much.

Die for my family and live for the moment/And that's the main difference between me and my opponent - Phonte of Little Brother

by erivera7 on May 3, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I love you

*right click save *

I'm a girl.

by TheGiantSquid on May 3, 2009 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I love gortat

I gave him a high five at a game once. I jizzed in my pants

4 wins down.... 12 more to go

by black mamba on May 3, 2009 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Hilarious

by Stan in a Van (Down by the River) on May 3, 2009 7:22 PM EDT reply actions

Dangit, stupid mouseless laptop

I meant this a reply to the Dancing with the Gortat

by Stan in a Van (Down by the River) on May 3, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions

For those of us that haven't been following either team till this point,

an injury report or list of those who won’t play would make a nice addition. Reading the comments led me to think Gar-NOT might play and Lee might not. I wouldn’t have any idea as to the status of the roster, but assuming Gar-NOT out, and otherwise healthy rosters around, I chose Orlando in 6. Just need one of the first two, and you’re gold.

I am no longer able to participate in this discussion due to a moderators request...
by TrentEdwardsHoF2018

by Screen Name on May 3, 2009 7:27 PM EDT reply actions

Guess you don't like Garnett.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

I comment WAY too much.

Die for my family and live for the moment/And that's the main difference between me and my opponent - Phonte of Little Brother

by erivera7 on May 3, 2009 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Funny enough,

I’m really torn on him. He’s a mad dog, cool to have, but not cool to run into randomly on the street.

I am no longer able to participate in this discussion due to a moderators request...
by TrentEdwardsHoF2018

by Screen Name on May 3, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I took Orlando in 7.

Conventional wisdom would indicate that the Celtics should be exhausted after their series with the Bulls, but they also survived their first two series going 7 last year en route to the finals.

I think the Celtics’ lack of frontcourt depth this year (minus KG and Powe) tips things in favor of the Magic, especially if Lewis can play the way he did in game 6 of the 76ers series.

I’m not as concerned about the home court advantage (although it would be nice) because the Magic aren’t a team that needs to feast at home in order to survive (a la the ‘07-’08 Celtics) and they are every bit as good on the road as both Boston and Cleveland.

I think the biggest key for Orlando is finding a way to get by defensively without Lee. The prospect of JJ covering Ray Allen is a scary one.

I think the teams split games 1-2 and then again 3-4, followed by the home teams winning games 5 and 6.

by lil penny on May 3, 2009 9:49 PM EDT reply actions

Word, a great and thorough explanation.

I think the Celtics will be exhausted after the series with the Bulls because of the fact that a.) Boston had to play seven OTs in the first round and b.) the starters are logging major, major, major minutes.

I don’t think last year and this year are the same for Boston. It hurts not having a deep bench to rely on.

Other than that, you make a lot of valid points.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

I comment WAY too much.

Die for my family and live for the moment/And that's the main difference between me and my opponent - Phonte of Little Brother

by erivera7 on May 3, 2009 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Celtics in 7 or Magic in 6

whoever wins will win at home

4 wins down.... 12 more to go

by black mamba on May 3, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, that's how I see it too.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

I comment WAY too much.

Die for my family and live for the moment/And that's the main difference between me and my opponent - Phonte of Little Brother

by erivera7 on May 3, 2009 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Is this the most popular poll in the history of TQC?

Already over 1300 votes and it’s not even gametime!

by malars on May 4, 2009 9:39 AM EDT reply actions

Enter fans from the Celtics blog. Trust me, that poll doesn't consist of 1300 Magic fans.

Not to say some magic fans aren’t being partial by thinking the Celtics will win. However, there is no chance that 50% of Magic fans on 3QC think the Celtics will win.

Sports Picks 365
"Shoot first, ask questions last" Rafer Alston

by DieSlowKeyshawn on May 4, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions