High Drama: Eight Subplots for Celtics-Magic ECF Game 6

There’s plenty of drama in the Celtics-Magic series and as Boston’s lead gets thinner the plot thickens.

Dwight Howard has developed a fighter’s philosophy and if he’s goes down, he’s going down swinging—elbows, plenty of them.

Jameer Nelson continues to shine while Vince Carter struggles. The Celtics may be tired but they’re still confident.

Even the refs are joining the party.

Read on for more as the Orlando Magic try to make a historic comeback and the Celtics try to stamp a ticket to their second NBA Finals trip in three seasons.

Are the Celtics Tired?

The Boston Celtics haven’t used age as excuse, in fact their experience and leadership has been an advantage for the playoff-tested group.

Paul Pierce (32 years old), Ray Allen (34), Kevin Garnett (33) and Rasheed Wallace(35) each have a championship ring, but they face a huge challenge against a Magic team that continues to receive major contributions from players under 30 like Jameer Nelson, Dwight Howard and J.J. Redick.

Boston has faded late in each game and Orlando has outscored Boston in the fourth quarter of every game.

After producing six points in overtime of Game Four, the Celtics were outscored 29-17 in the fourth quarter in Game Five.

Boston is preparing for its 17th playoff game while Orlando will be entering its 14th.

The Magic know if they can keep it close heading into the fourth quarter, they’ll have a great chance to win the game.

Dwight Howard's Elbows

When Dwight Howard had a seven-point, seven-rebound performance in Game Three, the boo-birds were more than ready to call him soft.

But after his Game Five showcase, many want to call him something else.

While every tall player risks inadvertently hitting another player with an elbow, Howard is no stranger to controversy and in Game Five he knocked Glen Davis unconscious on the way to an Orlando win.

Howard already has two flagrant fouls this postseason, including an elbow to the back of Kevin Garnett’s head.

Last postseason, Howard was suspended for a shot against Samuel Dalembert of the Philadelphia Sixers.

Howard knocked Chicago Bulls All-Star Derrick Rose out of two games during the 2009-10 regular season but he hasn’t changed his aggressive style.

That style helped him lead the league in blocked shots the past two seasons while also claiming back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards.

The Emergence of Jameer Nelson

Rajon Rondo. Rajon Rondo. Rajon Rondo.

The fourth-year Boston Celtics point guard has emerged as one of the best players in the 2010 playoffs after earning his first All-Star selection in the February.

Somewhat quieter, Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson has surfaced as the Magic’s top postseason weapon.

Nelson, an All-Star in 2009, had to alter his game this season while recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered last season and acclimating himself to Orlando’s new roster which featured two new starters.

His scoring average dipped from 16.7 ppg to 12.6 ppg in the regular season and he had to split minutes with Jason Williams.

Williams, more of a passing point guard, averaged 20.8 minutes a game. Nelson, a dangerous scorer, averaged 28.6 minutes a contest, less than what one would expect from an All-Star.

Yet, Nelson has received the majority of minutes in the playoffs. He’s averaging 19.6 ppg in 34.5 mpg, his production rising to meet the increased demands of the postseason.

Now that he’s gained more trust from his coach, he’s been able to create more opportunities for himself and his teammates.

He has shined in both Magic wins in the Eastern Conference Finals with 23 points and nine assists in Game Four and 24 points and five assists in Game Five.

Are the Celtics Too Confident?

After the Celtics won Game Two in Orlando, Paul Pierce said he was excited about closing the series out in four games in Boston.

Dwight Howard responded by quoting a Bible verse: “Pride comes before the fall.”

Then, during a timeout in Game Five, ESPN’s cameras caught Doc Rivers telling his team that they were going to win the game.

Boston thrives off the confidence of its emotional leaders and winners don’t go into games with a loser’s mindset.

The Celtics have already shown that they can beat the Magic and while their statements may seem cocky, the opposite would be much worse.

Stan Van Gundy Shows Flexibility

Down 0-3 and with everything on the line in Game Four, Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy changed his game plan and rotation.

Jameer Nelson took on the multi-faceted role of playmaker, scorer and late-game hero. Dwight Howard got more touches.

J.J. Redick played a bigger role while Rashard Lewis showed improvement.

The Magic came out with renewed vigor on defense and the team rallied to win in overtime. The same game plan was effective in Game Five, leading to another win.

Van Gundy’s inspired changes were vital to the Magic’s success and couldn’t have been timelier.

Labeled the "Master of Panic" by Shaquille O'Neal, Van Gundy exhibited a keen ability to adjust his strategy and avoid an embarrassing playoff exit at home in Game Five.

The Refs Join the Drama

When the Orlando Magic lost the first two games of the series, their fans pointed fingers at the referees’ calls. In an odd occurrence, referee Joe DeRosa was suspended after he tossed a ball to a fan at halftime.

Now it’s Boston’s turn to be upset.

Eddie F. Rush issued two technical fouls to Kendrick Perkins in Game Five and Dwight Howard knocked Glen Davis out of the game. The Celtics didn’t make any excuses but expressed their disagreement with the calls.

The NBA rescinded one of Rush’s technical fouls and Perkins—who would have automatically been suspended for recording his seventh technical foul in the postseason—will be available for the Celtics in Game Six.

The Celtics and the Magic will keep the refs busy for the rest of the series.
Perkins has 60 personal fouls and six technicals in the postseason, the most for any player.

The two teams feature several players that like to argue calls and the postseason’s top six players in technical fouls.

Boston’s Rasheed Wallace (four technical fouls), Kevin Garnett (four) and Rajon Rondo (three) along with Orlando’s Howard (four) and Matt Barnes (four), have all been volatile at times in the playoffs.

Both teams have played hard-nosed, physical basketball and fans will recall that former Orlando Magic point guard Rafer Alston was suspended for slapping former Celtics guard Eddie House during the 2009 playoffs.

The teams are preparing for their 13th playoff game in two years and a budding rivalry is developing for the past two Eastern Conference champions.

The refs will do their best to let the players decide the outcome but with two foul-prone teams on the floor they will be an important factor in the game.

The Carter and Lewis Seesaw

It’s too simplistic to blame Vince Carter for the Magic’s three consecutive losses to begin the series.

Mysteriously, the Magic finally won a game when the eight-time All-Star had a horrible performance in Game Four.

Carter only scored three points in Game Four and eight points in Game Five but he was one of Orlando’s few determined players early in the series, with games of 23, 16 and 15 points—the only Magic player to log double figures in each of the series first three games.

However, Orlando has experienced more team success as Carter struggles.

Both of Orlando wins have come when Rashard Lewis scored in double figures after the Celtics held the Magic's 6'10" perimeter threat to five ppg in the first three contests.

Lewis disclosed that he hadn't been feeling well earlier in the series he had to take an IV before Game Five.

Like a seesaw, when Lewis played better, Carter played worse.

Carter has been a true team player concerning the situation and he hasn’t voiced any opposition to his coach’s newfound approach.

Vinsanity still possesses the ability to explode with a big game and he’s certainly due for one.

Historic Ramifications

The Orlando Magic are attempting to become the first team in NBA history to overcome an 0-3 deficit and win a playoff series.

While a comeback of historic proportions would be legendary, Orlando was expected to win this series. Orlando had the best regular season record of all the remaining playoff teams.

The Magic began the playoffs with an 8-0 record, sweeping the Charlotte Bobcats and the Atlanta Hawks in the first two rounds.

Orlando was 3-1 vs. Boston in the regular season, with two wins on the road. The Magic are the defending Eastern Conference champions.

The Celtics are simply trying to avoid infamy at the hands of the Orlando Magic who overcame a 3-2 deficit and won two elimination games—including Game Seven in Boston—during last year's playoffs.

The city of Boston has been on both ends of the best-of-seven, 0-3 series comeback.

In 2004, the Boston Red Sox overcame an 0-3 deficit against the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series before winning the team’s first championship in 86 years.

In 2010, the Boston Bruins won the first three games in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia Flyers before losing the final four games, including a home loss in Game Seven.

Both teams have shown that they can win on the road so a Game Six win for Boston or a Game Seven win for Orlando is no guarantee.