The Orlando Magic must have been licking their chops going into Monday’s matchup with the Celtics. The Magic were the second opponent for Boston on the dreaded two games in two nights. This is a scenario that Boston has struggled with for years. The Celtics were also without Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, Mickael Pietrus, and Keyon Dooling. This meant Orlando was going to see a lot of the end of Boston’s bench. Too bad for the Magic that Boston came out and played inspired ball and dominated them from the second quarter on to blow them out 87 to 56.
However, the rematch Thursday is not going to be as easy. Orlando may have taken this short handed unit lightly. I mean how could they not when they saw not only Avery Bradley starting, but the little used Sasha Pavlovic as well. This Orlando team now knows full well they will need a full effort to beat this team as long as Doc Rivers is coaching, the role players play their roles, Paul Pierce is Paul Pierce offensively, and Kevin Garnett is fighting. This means the Celtics can scratch that advantage from their list of edges.
The other fact is Orlando was embarrassed. The team was out played and out hustled in every single facet of the game. This means they should come out looking to prove that the loss and the way that they played was more an aberration than the type of play that they will be known for this year. If Jameer Nelson does not come out like a house on fire after the way Avery Bradly humiliated him, than he truly has fallen off the cliff since his stellar 2009 season.
The other basic fact is Orlando is just not that bad. Even if they do not shoot lights out, guys like Ryan Anderson, Hedo Turkoglu, J.J. Reddick, Jason Richardson, and Jameer Nelson are much better shooters than the 56 points on 25 percent shooting would indicate. In other words Orlando cannot help, but score more the next game. Anderson and Turkoglu alone could score more than 56 points combined on any given night. Dwight Howard also will be looking to improve on his awful numbers after the first quarter. Howard dominated the first, but then disappeared for final three quarters. I just do not see that happening for a second straight game.
I am not saying Boston will lose either. They have an excellent defensive game plan. They intelligently let Howard go one on one at times and limit the shooters of Orlando by sticking tight and running them off the line or at least making their shots contested. They also double Howard and rotate to the open shooters very well after Howard kicks it out. The result is Boston can easily beat this Orlando team. However, it just will not be as easy. One can plan on a real dog fight on Thursday. I just hope Boston shows up with the same intensity that they did in the first game. If they do, then it will not be as easy, but Boston will walk away with the win. Remember Go Green or Go Home!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Doc need to tell Rondo to sit out for Thursday game against Orlando and come back Friday and play against the Pacers. Ray can rest this whole week because an ankle and foot takes time to heel. Ainge need to make 2 big trades next month. Trade Wilcox,Dooling,Daniels,Johnson,Pavlovic, & 1st round pick to Houston for C.Budinger,T.Williams, & H.Thabeet. Those 3 players can score and play defense. McHale has been benching those guys they deserve to play and Doc & Danny should get those guys in Boston and let`em come off the bench and help the C`s win every night. Ainge should trade A.Bradley & E.Moore to Sacramento for I.Thomas. After the trade deadline Ainge should sign R.Wallace and E.House.