Celtics vs. Magic

[TrueNE_09]

Let's get it started... Everyone had such strong opinions about the previous series. Many were predicting the Celtics would lose to the "best team in the NBA", but we all see how that turned out. Now the Celtics are facing the Magic, who just swept the Hawks.

Predictions?

Thoughts?

Let us hear it...

POLL added....post your predicitons.

GO CELTICS!!!

[oshmeehan]

I'm hoping for a Magic/Suns NBA Finals

I think this Celtics/Magic series goes 6 or 7 games and the Magic pull it out

[mnvikingstwins]

My predictions:

Game 1: Orlando 101, Boston 97
Game 2: Boston 94, Orlando 85
Game 3: Boston 100, Orlando 99 OT
Game 4: Orlando 112, Boston 88
Game 5: Orlando 98, Boston 93
Game 6: Boston 118, Orlando 111
Game 7: Boston 102, Orlando 97

Game 1: LA 102, Suns 87
Game 2: Suns 100, LA 91
Game 3: Suns 93, LA 87
Game 4: Suns 91, LA 90
Game 5: LA 109, Suns 101
Game 6: Suns 104, LA 101

[gman71]

Magic in 6
Lakers in 7

[Kent Clements]

A replay of last years finals:

Orlando in six
Lakers in six

[vatechhokiefan]

I think Orlando has to play very well for the entire series to win. If they aren't hitting their 3's which allows Howard to be double or triple teamed, Boston will win.

I don't think Phoenix has enough size to beat the Lakers.

[TrueNE_09]

So...thus far no one is going out on a limb and guessing it'll be a short series - 4 or 5 games. In other words, a fairly well balanced match up - no dominance. Interesting.

[SacGWYNN19]

Five.....suns lakers goes 7 i think....Lakers.

Only series I jacked up in the semis was the celts/cavs....all others I called to the point.

[TrueNE_09]

Now we're talking...

So, you made a call against the Celtics in the semis, and were wrong. Now you are once against betting against the Celtics in this series, too? Interesting.

This is the million dollar question: if the Celtics were able to (fairly easily) beat the best team in the NBA, what drives people to think they'll be beaten by the Orlando Magic, in 5 games no less....?

This is where things get interesting!

Originally Posted by SacGWYNN19

Five.....suns lakers goes 7 i think....Lakers.

Only series I jacked up in the semis was the celts/cavs....all others I called to the point.

[UltimateDeron]

Originally Posted by TrueNE_09

This is the million dollar question: if the Celtics were able to (fairly easily) beat the best team in the NBA, what drives people to think they'll be beaten by the Orlando Magic, in 5 games no less....?

Because the Cavs are only a good regular season team. Their offense is so predictable that in a 7 game series it is tremendously easy for the opposing team to make adjustments and stop them. Especially when their offense is 1 on 5, give the ball to Lebron and go stand around the perimeter.

I would have picked the Magic over the Cavs even if they had beaten the Celtics.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Celtics beat the Magic. They are battle tested and appear to be healthy all of a sudden, something I didn't see happening.

[vatechhokiefan]

Originally Posted by TrueNE_09

This is the million dollar question: if the Celtics were able to (fairly easily) beat the best team in the NBA, what drives people to think they'll be beaten by the Orlando Magic, in 5 games no less....?

This is where things get interesting!

The Cavaliers were not the best team in the league in my opinion. They should win 60 games in the Eastern Conference as there were only 3 really strong teams- Cavs, Celts, and Magic.

As much as I hate to admit it, the Lakers have the best team and are the favorite to go all the way.

[pac213up]

Should be an interesting series. I'm taking the Celtics in 6. After watching the previous 4 games this year I like the matchups quite a bit for the C's. KG and Nelson are both playing at a higher level though so that may impact things for either team. In 3 of the 4 games the Celtics had 10+ point leads heading into the 2nd half and had a 3rd quarter collapse which was a problem all regular season. I do not see that happening again.

Key matchup is Rondo vs Nelson. However these guys play will really dictate the outcome of the game for their team IMO. Also Wallace has a huge opportunity to make up for his disappointing regular season with the matchups in this series. Ultimately Orlando relies too much on the 3 point shot against a defense that is clicking on all cylinders. Lastly the biggest thing....John Hollinger picked Orlando in 5. This is the equivalent to the Madden cover curse.

[bmw808]

PG.. Nelson has a slight edge over Rondo cuz he is a way better shooter..
SG.. Allen & Vince even each other out there both having good playoffs and getting looks
SF.. Pierce & Barnes, Pierce becuz Carter will be guarding him
PF.. KG & Lewis, both having good playoffs maybe slight edge to KG better defender only if Lewis tries to post him up (best match up of series)
C.. Howard & Perkins, Perkins has given him trouble in the past down low and if he can get Howard into foul trouble it gets interesting

Bench.. Tony Allen, Glen Davis, Rasheed, Nate Robinson, Finley vs Pietrus, Redick, Gortat, Ryan Anderson, Jason Williams...Celtics reserves showed up vs Cavs but Pietrus always gets his points and Gortat does well when Howard is in foul trouble

I say overall the Magic have the advantage, but think it will be real close...Its tough becuz who I WANT to win and who I THINK will win are different, want Celtics think Magic...Celtics in 6 cmonnnn

[suki24]

Celtics are just too good when their BIG 3 are healthy. Throw in their best player so far in Rajon, Celtcis in 6 or 7.

[saintsfan67]

Magic in7
Lakers in 5 and I can't stand Kobe

NBA finals Magic in 7

[TASS]

Originally Posted by suki24

Celtics are just too good when their BIG 3 are healthy. Throw in their best player so far in Rajon, Celtcis in 6 or 7.

So far your RIGHT ON! Celtics steal home court advantage, great road win

[TrueNE_09]

Game one in the books...Celts take game one! So much for that streak Orlando had going!!

[bmw808]

Howard sucks by the way, sorry needed to add that

[TrueNE_09]

D12 is a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitch. Wow - that was a SCUMMY A$$ FOUL - no doubt. Real low class sh!t there, Mr. Howard. Trying to find the low way to get a win.

[TrueNE_09]

Well...at least we know that 11.43% of those who responded to the poll were wrong ...

Let me guess... "but they'll never beat L.A." right?

Go Celtics!

[gman71]

Man,is there a bigger joke left in the playoffs than Rashard Lewis??

Hey Vince,nice stones when it counts. Once a choker,always a choker

[pac213up]

Originally Posted by TrueNE_09

Well...at least we know that 11.43% of those who responded to the poll were wrong ...

Let me guess... "but they'll never beat L.A." right?

Go Celtics!

No they can't. They are too old.

[moestavern10]

Originally Posted by TrueNE_09

D12 is a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitch. Wow - that was a SCUMMY A$$ FOUL - no doubt. Real low class sh!t there, Mr. Howard. Trying to find the low way to get a win.

yeah and there are a bunch of high class players on your team... what rajon did to brad miller last year to get a win... but you would think thats a smart play though...

[pac213up]

Originally Posted by moestavern10

yeah and there are a bunch of high class players on your team... what rajon did to brad miller last year to get a win... but you would think thats a smart play though...

Nothing wrong with either of the fouls. Playoff basketball. Pierce said it was a good Playoff foul. Unlike Miller he did not cry while shooting the foul shots.

[redsox5824]

Originally Posted by TrueNE_09

Well...at least we know that 11.43% of those who responded to the poll were wrong ...

Let me guess... "but they'll never beat L.A." right?

Go Celtics!

haha, great post. Go Celts!