2010 Eastern Conference Finals
In the Eastern Conference battle the Boston Celtics take on the red hot Orlando Magic. The Celtics are coming off a huge series victory over King James and the Cavaliers, but the Orlando Magic have yet to lose a game during the whole playoffs. Both teams have tremendous momentum heading into this series. The last time these two teams met during the regular season, Rashard Lewis and the Magic hit a game winning shot.
When the Celtics are thought of, everyone thinks of the "Big 3." The Big 3 are comprised of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. KG has been playing like the KG of old and dominating inside the paint. The future hall of famer will be tough to stop if he continues dominating down low. One of the most underrated players in the entire league Is Point Guard Rajon Rondo. Everyone mentions the Big 3 but Rondo is the one who makes this team fire on all cylinders. Rondo has been dominating the playoffs and has arguably been the best player on his team thus far. He is a threat for a triple-double every game. What makes the Celtics so tough is that any of their four star players are capable of going off and having a huge game on any given night. What is even scarier is that on many nights two or more of them are unstoppable. Sharpshooter Ray Allen, led the Celtics in scoring against in the season series vs. the Magic this year while shooting 40% from behind the arc and over 64% from the floor. The Celtics have been one of the best defensive teams during the postseason not allowing their opponent to score and forcing a ton of turnovers. The fifth member of the starting five is big man Kendrick Perkins. Perkins is one of the best low post defenders in the league and will have to play like it to frustrate Dwight Howard and get him into foul trouble early.
The Orlando Magic have not lost a game all postseason. They may be playing the best basketball out of any team left. The Magic have been the best offensive and defensive team this postseason. Dwight Howard is the key for the Magic's success. Howard must stay off the bench with foul trouble and be a force on the court. KG was able to dominate against Antawn Jamison during the series with the Cavs' but will have a much tougher task going inside against reigning two-time Defensive player of the year Dwight Howard. Just at Boston's Point Guard has been arguably their team's best player, the same can be said for Orlando's Point Guard Jameer Nelson. The matchup of Nelson versus Rondo may be the key to the series. Rashard Lewis has been shooting lights out, over 50% from the floor over his last team games while averaging 20 points per game. Lewis needs to keep up his shooters touch to help the Magic prevail. Magic starter Matt Barnes has been battling a back injury since the series against Atlanta. Barnes expected to start. Barnes is the magic's defensive stopper, with the daunting task of stopping pierce and Allen. Vince Carter led his team in scoring and assists in the season series against Boston. The Magic hold a 3-1 record over the Celtics during the regular season.
Both teams are coming into the Eastern Conference Finals with tremendous momentum. Both teams are made up of veterans with some young talent at Point Guard. Can the Magic continue their dominance and run right over the Boston Celtics and reach the NBA Finals? Will the Celtics get back to the Promised Land and look for another NBA Championship? This series should be a tough defensive battle with the offense coming from numerous players on any given game. Do not be surprised if one player is the star of one game and another player steals the spotlight in the next game. This should be a hard played ultra competitive series.
By Steven Spector
