Celtics-Magic: Pivotal Game Five Preview

Tonight at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, MA, there is a pivotal Game Five taking place.

The Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic will both be looking to take a 3-2 series lead over the other team.

If you know sports, which I'm sure you do, you understand how important Game Fives are. The winner is one game away from advancing, while the losers are one game away from golfing. Or fishing. Which ever you prefer.

Here's what each team needs to do in order to be successful:

Boston

Control Tempo

For the Celtics, the word "tempo" is slang for Rajon Rondo. When he controls the tempo and attacks the hoop, the Celtics are almost unbeatable.

Pour some "Sugar (Ray)" on me

Ray Allen has been on the side of a milk carton for this entire series, outside of Game Two. In the biggest game of the season, Ray must not let J.J. Redick or Courtney Lee stop him from being a factor. It just can not happen.

"The Truth Shall Set You Free"

Paul Pierce was huge in Game Four. However, in both Celtics wins in this series, Pierce has no points in the fourth quarter. Basically, we have won in spite of Paul.

Be aggressive, but not foolish

The Celtics only know how to play aggressive basketball for them to win. There is a difference between being aggressive and being foolish though. They can't pick up stupid fouls. The ones that take place off the ball or 30 feet away from the hoop.

Perimeter Defense

The Orlando Magic win via the long ball. They average 27 attempts per game. That is scary for any opposing team. If they are making them, they are almost impossible to beat.

The Celtics must defend the three better than they have. They may have won Game Four, but the Magic missed a bunch of wide-open shots. I don't want to risk that again. I'm sure the Celtics don't want to either.

Rashard Lewis

By far the hardest match-up for the Celtics. They have no answer for him without Kevin Garnett. That's not going to change by tonight. Brian Scalabrine and Glen Davis can't stop him, but they need to do their best to contain him and stay out of foul trouble.

Home Court Crowd

Last, but not least, the Celtics have to use home court to their advantage. This is something they can do, that the Magic can't do tonight.

The Garden is a crazy atmosphere. They Celtics have to use the crowd's intensity to propel themselves to victory.

Orlando

Superman or Clark Kent?

It appears Dwight Howard's biggest enemies are his teammates at times. They go long stretches without getting him the ball in scoring chances. If they want to put the defending champions on the brink of elimination, he must take more than 15 shots.

Paging Hedo

Hedo Turkoglu has been dormant for this series. Sure he's had a few stretches where he played well, but he hasn't had a full 48 minutes of good basketball. He needs to use his size on Pierce and make Pierce expend some energy on the defensive end.

Starting Backcourt

The Magic starting backcourt was just awful in Game Four. They combined for 2-12 from the floor. That included J.J. Redick's first shot, which he made.

The Magic can't go into Boston and expect to win with that type of contribution from Rafer Alston and Redick.

Courtney Lee

Courtney Lee has been huge for the Magic all year long. Who would of thought this rookie out of Western Kentucky would contribute for a championship-caliber team? His defense on Eddie House in Game Four was simply awesome.

If he can contain House in Game Five like he did last game, the Magic will be in prime position to win the battle of the benches.

Dialling Long Distance

If they Magic get hot from long distance, the Celtics could be in a world of trouble. The Magic's goal should be to shoot over 40 percent from three-point land. If they hit that goal, they will win.

Rashard Lewis

Simply put, the Celtics can't stop him, like I said above. Lewis has to be ultra-aggressive. Even though three-point shooting is one of his strong suits, he can't only settle for those. He has the height advantage on any player the Celtics put on him.

He needs to use his size and speed. Meaning he has to post up defenders consistently, while still shooting the three and taking his defender off the dribble.

In my opinion those are the keys to victory for each team. If I had to single out one thing for each team, it would be Rashard Lewis for the Magic and perimeter defense for the Celtics.

Either way, this should be an unbelievable game tonight. Both teams are championship-caliber teams, filled with stars and superstars. I expect a great effort from each team in a highly-contested game.

I will be in the building tonight rooting on my Celtics. So, that being said, my prediction for this game is the Boston Celtics winning by five. A close game from start to finish.