A Tale of Two Teams

After the Boston Celtics were brought back from the dead by the Playoffs (or by Quentin Richardson, depending on who you ask), they routed the Miami Heat save for one eviscerating Dwayne Wade performance. And after suffering one of the most embarrassing home losses in the history of the NBA, the team rediscovered their identity (i.e. D-FENCE) and dethroned King James in what was supposed to be his magical year.

But now the true test was supposed to come. A strong Orlando Magic team that was cutting through playoff teams like Poland in 1939 was the next challenge for what so many commentators, announcers, players, coaches, and I labeled an “old, washed up” Celtics team. The Magic had convincingly beaten the Charlotte Bobcats and absolutely crushed the Atlanta Hawks. How would the Celtics fare?

In Game 1, the Boston Celtics stifled a rusty Orlando offense that perhaps had too many days off. Many seemed to forget that the Dwight Howard’s biggest nemesis was Kendrick Perkins, and the Celtics contained him well. Neither team played well. After stealing home court advantage back from the Magic, the C’s came back for Game 2 hungry for more.

In a tougher contest that came down to a missed Jameer Nelson last-second shot, the Celtics outlasted a late 4^th quarter surge from the Magic that had me more nervous than a 7^th grader with his first slow dance.

Game changer: on one end of the floor, Paul Pierce hits two free throws with confidence. On the other end of the floor, same situation Vince Carter bricks not one, but two free throws. Vince Carter! I’m sorry, but your legacy has been forever cemented. We will talk about this game as the Vince Carter free throws game from now on.

But none of this matters if the Magic were able to rebound, like the Celtics had, from these losses; if they were able to focus on their strengths and play around their weaknesses; if they were able to beat Boston in Game 3 at the Garden.

What happened on Saturday night at the TD Garden in Boston, MA was nothing short of a massacre, annihilation. The Boston Celtics put on a 48-minute clinic. My buddy Max described it as “the best display of team basketball [he had] ever seen.” I was inclined to agree. The C’s leading scorer was Glen Davis with 17 pts. Rondo was outstanding; Ray Allen found some rhythm,; Pierce and Garnett were great on both sides of the floor; stifling defense and relentless offense ran the Orlando Magic right out of the Garden. With 15 points in the 1^st quarter and 13 in the 3^rd, the Magic didn’t stand a chance. Dwight Howard was nowhere to be found.

But what was even more astounding than the Celtics relentless play was the seeming indifference of the Orlando Magic. So many plays lacked urgency – wake up, Dwight: it’s the Eastern Conference Finals and all 6’1” of Rajon Rondo is beating you to a loose ball rebound. After a while it seemed that it was beyond a lack of urgency – it had escalated to apathy if not full-blown laziness. None of these are qualities you want to have down 2-0 on the road in the NBA.

Tonight is Game 4 in Boston with the Celtics up 3-0 in the series. Only time will tell what happens tonight, but one thing is for sure. The Magic didn’t make it easy on themselves. Oh wait, one more thing is for sure. There is nothing on this Earth that could prevent me from being in front of a television at 8:30PM EST tonight. Boston Celtics vs. the Orlando Magic.

Game time.