Celtics in Good Form Heading Home, Will Seek Sweep Of Magic

Don't make Paul Pierce angry. You won't like him when he's angry.

Dwight Howard should take heed of this warning entering Game 3 in Boston. Howard made the mistake of committing a flagrant foul and throwing Pierce to the ground with just over four minutes left in the second quarter. Pierce was not happy about the hard foul, and made it known by ringing off seven straight points, giving the Celtics an end-of-the-half boost. He finished with 28 points.

Rajon Rondo continued his playoff streak with 25 points and eight assists, and the Celtics once again got solid play on both ends of the court from key bench players Rasheed Wallace, Tony Allen, and Glen Davis. Orlando got 16 points off the bench from JJ Redick, but little help came from their other reserves Mickael Pietrus, Marcin Gortat, and Jason Williams. Silent again was Rashard Lewis, who finished with just five points on 2 of 6 shooting.

Despite a man-child performance from Dwight Howard in the form of 30 points and eight rebounds and crucial late buckets from Vince Carter and Jameer Nelson, the Magic were unable to overcome the small Boston lead and lost Game 1 after Carter missed two free throws with 32 seconds left that would have pulled the Magic to within one.

The series now heads back to Boston for Games 3 and 4 and a potential sweep for the 17-time champion Celtics. A feisty TD Garden crowd always gives their team a leg-up at home, and the Celtics will look to capitalize on the good energy and send the Magic home with their season wrapped up.

In a post game interview after Game 2, Paul Pierce looked directly into the camera, predicted a series sweep at home, and made every Celtics fan (including myself) giddy with Finals excitement.

I don't usually condone brash playoff predictions, but from the mouth of Pierce, I can't help but agree.

The Truth will set us free.