Boston Celtics 96, Orlando Magic 84

Lewis and the Turk trade exception for Bosh

Thank goodness we didn’t get swept!

I hope the Magic FO take a deep look at the roster. There’s a lot of directions to go in this summer.
The Magic played with effort, but like Ben said, they went away from what was working and did stupid little things again, e.g., Lets feed Dwight against Perks, let’s all pass the ball above the 3 line until 7 seconds on clock, let’s leave Nate and Pierce open for 3’s.
In order to understand the game, we have to look at the first/second quarter where it was still a game.
Starting out, the Celtics didn’t look confiden with their shots, Rondo was playing well but that was about it. They had a FT advantage (hom court), something like 3-4 3PM’s, and transition plays (this was supposed to be Orlandos strong suit, but it takes perimeter players’ to do it and it highlights Orlando’s defensive drop from Alston and CLee to VC and Barnes and Nelson). Still, none of that was half court offense, the Celtics didn’t succeed regularly until later in the second.
It was up to the Magic in the first to score. But Jameer regressed from attacking, only passing passively, and again, the Magic wasted too many possessions on VC. Let me be clear, VC worked hard, he had a better game than his earliers and than many of his teammates, BUT this was the first quarter, and VC submarined almost all of his possesions in this utmost critical quarter before the game was over. The playoffs must be accounted over the regular season when determining personnel decisions for the team (have to be careful tho, all playoff series losses makes the whole team look like it needs a blow up, until when clarified, pieces like Jameer and Dwight played strong overall), and VC was not good overall and not good with Jameer or Dwight. What was his assists and pure point in the playoffs?!
Now, we move to the early second, the Celtics threw a trick move using Robinson, and the nail in the coffin was Jameers inabilty to guard him at all, all while remaining passive offensively at the same time. At the same time, this would be a sweep instead of 6 gm series if it wasn’t for Jameer, not too mention Jameer is still on the right side of 30 and has a better impact with the team. That’s about all I have to say about the game, the only major defensive breakdown was noone can guard Pierce.. I think Barnes, VC, and MP all failed there and must be carefully evaluated for the future bc Barnes and VC are 30+ already.
The Magic’s window is still wide open thanks to Dwight and a solid team. They were so close and I am confident for next year and beyond. Take the loss, learn from it, and come back better next time.

A little dissapointed in the way the game went but hopefully next year we pull it off. Howard played great and showed that he has heart, Nelson needed to watch video of his last 2 games during halftime. Carter tried but I feel like maybe that was his all at this point of his career.

Unfortunately we didn’t make them. That, of course, wasn’t the only reason we didn’t win the game but I feel like it would’ve been close. Boston is playing like a team possessed when they are clicking.

Overall, this game felt more similar to Game 1 than Game 3. Where Game 3 didn’t really have any runs, the Magic had some stretches where they played well here. Boston just jumped on them early and the Magic shots weren’t falling. When the shots aren’t falling, we just lose a lot of confidence and rhythm. Plus, you have to get rebounds, not turn the ball over and get defensive stops if your shots aren’t falling. Those things didn’t happen at a consistent enough rate, especially in the first half.

The positive I took from this game was Dwight. I really feel he has made strides to get over the hump against Boston and other defenders who have given him trouble in the past. We’ll see if he can expand on his game and build on what he learned in this series and also the Bobcats series.

I remember the excitement of watching opening night this year against PHIL, way back in Oct. and to have it end now………..

As SVG said a few years ago when we lost to the pistons in his press conf.

“there’s nothing but misery now”

I’m caught somewhere between “this was a good season” and “championship or bust.” I guess what kills the most is the poor showing in tonight’s game. I had hoped that, should they lose, they would be on fire and make it as tough as possible on the Celts.

On the plus side, this is my first season following along with OPP, and I must say I won’t be going away anytime soon. I’d like to thank Ben for all the time spent into keeping us informed, and helping me go from a normal fan to a well informed one. That, and we’ve got a great community here.

And with that, I hope this brings a small smile to your faces, like it did for me.

Diaz didn’t help haha. but honestly, I was pleased with the effort tonight. Love Dwight giving it back to Boston fans as they chanted “Howard Sucks!” and he proceeded to wham it a few times harder than I have seen in awhile. Looked like a lot of frustration from the game was being taken out on that rim. But like others have said, they hit nearly every big shot and we just couldn’t find the stroke tonight. Always tough to end the season w/o a win, but I am pleased with the resiliency the team showed over the last 3 games. Glad I got to see the final game at Amway Arena (thanks to BQRock), and even happier it was a win.

On a more upbeat note, I want to leave you all with 2 awesome images from tonight that made me laugh, and I will see you all later when the off-season talks gets underway. (even more than right now, I mean)
How is this a foul exactly?…….

AND my favorite from tonight…..

I watched the ESPN late night replay after I got home from the airport from my flight from Orlando; Garnett picked up the two quick fouls, D12 was strong underneath, and the Magic led 12-11. Who knew that would be their only lead of the game.

If only the Magic hadn’t fallen so far behind in the second and third quarters. The Celtics struggled again in the fourth quarter, as they missed 12 of 13 shots during a 7:01 stretch of the final quarter, but the Magic shot just 4 of 9 from the field and 4 of 8 on free throws along with a couple turnovers during that same span, so they took only 10 points off their 24 point deficit before the Celtics put the game away.

Congrats to the Celtics, who deserved the win, and good luck to them in the NBA Finals.

Even though I’m very disappointed by the Magic not making it to the Finals, at least they made the series interesting with the Celtics with their Game 4 and Game 5 effort after losing the first three games. I still love the Magic, and can’t wait until next season in the new Amway Center.

At least I can say I was there for the last Magic game ever at Amway Arena, and what a fantastic game it was!

Just about 5 more months until the 2010-11 season opens…

stupid Celtics. Stupid Magic *kicks pebbles *

It’s always hard to get eliminated, because even when we were in lower seeds I always think maybe we can pull it off. I think this series ending is a little easier for me to take because we got down early, and my heart already starting breaking in the beginning of game 3. I appreciate the guys’ effort, and like the saying goes, “There’s always next year.”

Hopefully we become a more consistent team… Keep JJ Redick. Celtics were a worthy F’n adversary… Like the man in the black pajamas.

I think that both teams were the same way. They one that got the good start managed to block the other one’s mentality.
I just hope that Magic will learn its lessons to come back next season with better basketball. I also believe that this Boston team was a tougher match-up than the Lakers last year which makes this less disapointing IMO. I’m sad for SVG and the guys and hope they’ll work hard this summer to get even better. I don’t care much about the trade talking (though I’ll follow the news). So I wish a good summer to everyone here. Was amazing fun following the games with you guys. Thanks again Ben for the great work and I’ll see you all in the pre-season games. GO MAGIC !!!

I was extremely saddened last night but today is a new day and the world is my oyster. Dwight and company will be back next season hungrier than ever.

Tough ending, guys. Congrats on a good season, and thanks for welcoming me over here all series!

maybe we see us again next time! For me I have to say: DH really makes us nervous!! He is really Superman but Nate got his chance and was ready and defend Nelson very well – I had that in mind, back at the cleavland series I accept an outcoming against Moe but it came later!

but they couldn’t convert, than the Celtics would come back and make a three. After that Orlando sort of folded until a half hearted comeback attempt in the fourth quarter. There could not have been a worse type of game to go out on after Games 4 and 5.

Doesn’t really matter though, this series was decided in Game 2. If Orlando pushed that game into overtime we would have won and probably took the series. I’m convinced that the Magic were free throws, a quick time out, or a half court three away from the NBA Finals.

I don’t care if VC has 13 in the 2nd quarter, it was too late. The tone of the game had been set.

Shard and Meer disappeared, again..

I think the current spread offense, isn’t a championship offense.

Both teams overlooked the Celtics.

Still, the Lakers are gonna end up winning it all.

to the season. The odds were stacked against us but at least they played hard the last 3 games. It was just those first 3 games that were difficult to watch.

Looking ahead, a backup PG that can slow down the opposing PG. One thing in the Magic’s favor is that they have assets(Gortat, Bass) that other teams would like and Vince(expiring contract next year) that can be used to make this team better.

Although I hate Boston fans, especially ones in Cali, the Celtics played very hard and really gave it to the Magic. Even with Pierce’s antics, you can’t argue with results. I always thought Vince and Pierce do a lot of the same things on the court. But Pierce gets to the line and Vince doesn’t and thats why Pierce gets wins. Rondo is something unique and Allen has always had my respect. But KG can go **** off. I still think he’s a little * and I’m hoping either Fisher or Dragic fight back with KG because I know those are the only 2 players he will step to since he is bigger than them.

Unless the Suns beat the Lakers, I don’t have any interest in the Finals. Bring on the Draft!!!!