Boston Celtics are Missing a Key Playoff Piece

With the Celtics finishing a very close and tough first-round playoff series against the Bulls, you can't help but wonder if the defending NBA champs will be able to withstand Dwight Howard and the Magic without "The Big Ticket" leading the floor.

Losing KG hurt, but you have to give the Celtics props for what they did in the seven-game series against Chicago in the way the other two all-stars, Pierce and Allen, and the Celtics reserves stepped up to fill that void.

Allen hit two decisive clutch three-pointers, perhaps the biggest shots made in his career.

Pierce, doing his thing as usual, averaged over 20 points per game throughout the series, showing why he was last year's NBA Finals MVP.  

What it really came down to in the series was what most people call a "Quickdraw Shootout" series between the two clubs. Overtime playoff games always prove it, especially a record-setting seven OTs in the first six games. It wasn't about which team had the better defensive scheme, but it might have been different with a healthy KG.

It was all about who could make shots and make them when it counted the most down the stretch. Ben Gordon proved it in Games Two and Four, as well as Ray Allen in Games Two and Four, and Paul Pierce in Game Five.

The series with the Magic is going to be a much different story for the Celtics.

The Magic have shown to be very efficient with their three front-court starters, Turkoglu, Lewis, and of course "Superman" himself, Dwight Howard. This where KG is needed as the "Kryptonite" to match up at that 4/5 spot against Howard with footwork, agility, size, and experience.

On top of that, factor in Rashard Lewis, who has the shooting ability of a guard and the strength and size of a power forward, much like Garnett. The Celtics really don't have much stoppage power against the Magic's front-court.

So what is Boston left with to do? Either Perkins or Davis is going to have to start producing 20.38 points, 1.12 blocks, 1.35 steals, 3.35 assists, and 10.54 rebounds per game, same as Garnett's last year's post season averages, or hope for a miracle that Garnett will be back healthy for the series.

Orlando in six games.