by Ian Tasso
They’re the reason the Green reloaded.
After a Game 7 loss to the Orlando Magic ended the Celtics’ season last year, Boston went into the offseason with a clear objective: get deeper.
The series loss against the Magic exposed a clear weakness within the Celtics team, specifically their lack of depth at the big positions. Boston stormed into the offseason guns-a-blazing, signing guys like Rasheed Wallace and Shelden Williams to give them depth at the bigs, and even grabbing Marquis Daniels to add both scoring and defense off the bench.
The Magic exposed the Celtics’ weaknesses. The Magic played a major role in pushing the Celtics to reload and retool their bench, and now they have to face the beast they helped create.
In a much anticipated rematch, the two teams will return to the court where they met for their decisive Game 7 just four short months ago, and perhaps some will view this as a chance to start settling a score.
That being said, at this point in the season, a lot has changed between the two teams. For Boston, there are the aforementioned changes to the bench and the return to health of Kevin Garnett. Meanwhile in Orlando, Hedo Turkoglu is out, Vince Carter is in, and Jameer Nelson is back on the shelf. 
Personnel moves aside, both these teams are proving again in 2010 that they are the class of the East, sitting atop the conference identical 9-3 records. On Thursday night, though, the Celtics will have revenge on their mind.
Here’s how things stack up heading into the game:
Recent Performance:
Clash of the Titans -- Neither team comes into tomorrow night’s game on any type of tear, but if you had to give an edge, you’d certainly give it to the Magic. Orlando rolls into Friday’s match up a winner of three in a row and four of their last five, the most recent victory a 108-94 beating of the Oklahoma City Thunder at home. The Celtics however were finally able to get back to their winning ways just last night, defeating the Warriors 109-95 after dropping two in a row following an 8-1 start. But either way you slice it, both the Celtics and Magic are 9-3 thus far in the season and overall have both come surging out of the gates. Regardless of how each has done in their last handful of games, it’s a collision of two of the East’s bests no matter how you look at it.
Head to Head
Opening Act -- This will be the first meeting between the two teams thus far, but last year they met a total of nine times, with the Magic winning five. The season series was tied at 2-2 before the teams collided head on in the postseason, a series that the Magic won 3-2, dominating Boston 101-82 in the final game seven at the Garden.
Scouting Report
Defense wins Championships -- It’s no secret what makes either team tick. For the Magic, it’s the dominant inside presence of Dwight Howard, followed by the slick shooting of his outside men, though this year Vince Carter has slightly altered that perception. For the Green, it’s the same old big three, perhaps even the big four thanks to Rajon Rondo’s emergence. With either team, the multiple scoring threats they present are devastating to opponents, and the difference is sure to be held on the defensive side of the floor. Whichever team can play better defense inside the paint and outside will win the game.
Key Statistic
Rasheed Wallace – The new acquisition comes into Friday night averaging 10.5 points off the bench, solid scoring from a position that the Celtics lacked contribution from last season. Wallace is a new wrinkle in the Celtic team, something that the Magic will have to account for if they want to take down Big Green once again.
Vince Carter – Exit Hedo Turkoglu. Enter, Vince Carter, who right now is second on the Magic with 17.1 points a game, only one point behind heralded anchor Dwight Howard. Many were concerned with how Carter would fit in the Magic system that seemed to be a dump and launch from beyond the arc. So far though, Vinsanity has gelled to perfection and has become a key part of an Orlando offense that is going to have to be on their “A” game if they want to crack a stout Celtics defense that’s allowing a league second best 88.8 points a game.
Key Match up
Howard vs. Perkins -- It’s the match up we all focused on last year, for obvious reasons. It’s no secret that Dwight Howard is the motor on which the Magic offense runs. Number 12 dominated last postseason through and through, until he reached Boston. The Celtics possess quite possibly the only center in the NBA that has the ability to make Howard earn each and every shot he takes, and by using his sheer size and ability, Kendrick Perkins could be the wrench in the Magic’s gears. His only problem of course is his tendency to drift into foul trouble, which would disrupt the Celtic’s plan of having him bang bodies all night with Howard down low. If he can stay out of trouble however, and limit Howard to anything less than a 20/20 night, Boston will have a much easier time dispatching the Magic.
Health/Injuries
Familiar Territory -- To this point the Celtics have been relatively healthy, aside from losing Big Baby before the season even began. The Magic however are back at square one, losing guard Jameer Nelson yet again, this time to knee surgery. Last season Orlando was without Dwight Howard’s wingman for the better part of the regular season, though Nelson did reappear late in the playoffs. It’s no secret to anyone however that the loss of Nelson severely hurts the Magic, especially in a game like Friday night’s.
Kiss the Rings
Tale of Two Teams – In their history, the Boston Celtics have 17 World Championships to their name. The Orlando Magic have 0.
Quotable
The Truth Comes Out -- Last year’s playoff series was a great one to watch. But that doesn’t mean it sat well with Celtics captain Paul Pierce. After the Magic went on to lose to the Lakers in the 2009 Finals, Pierce had this to say about the Orlando-Los Angeles Final:
“Looked like a German shepherd vs. a poodle. That’s OK the Rottweiler Celtics will b back in 2010.”
The Captain didn’t stop there either. Pierce then went on to exclaim that the Celtics are the best team in the NBA when healthy – something that the defending Eastern Conference Champion Magic aren’t going to take lightly:
“Before the season even started last year, I was asked, ‘What is going to stop y’all from winning it all? The first thing I said was, ‘If we’re healthy, we’re going to win it all.’ And I’m going to say it again: ‘If we are healthy, we are going to win it all. I honestly believe that. I think we’re the best team in the NBA, healthy.”
All talking aside, Friday night’s game is bound to be a great one, simply because of the recent history between the two teams. And while it’s nice to see the confidence that Pierce displays regarding the Eastern Conference foes, it’s important to remember how last season ended up.
But then again, Boston did leave their Big Ticket at home last year.
They’ll be sure to bring it on Friday.
"Tale of Two Teams – In their history, the Boston Celtics have 17 World Championships to their name. The Orlando Magic have 0."
ReplyDeleteNot for nothing, but the Celtics were founded in 1946. Orlando joined the league in 1989. So that means Boston had a 43 year head start and Orlando would have to win the championship 81% of the time in their existence to be even. Not quite sure that's an entirely fair statistic.
How about this one: Since Orlando joined the league, the Celtics have only won one championship and the Magic beat them in Eastern Conference titles 2-1.
good call phil. it really wasn't meant to be a shot, more of an observation. but still, i don't think its any secret both teams have been on the same level for the past 10 years. the history is simply a factor of the Magic just not existing.
ReplyDelete