Magic-Celtics Game One: Orlando's Third Quarter Collapse

"Somebody will take the easy way out."

Head coach Doc Rivers passed these words to the Boston Celtics during the pre-game pep-talk. His words rang true Sunday night at Amway Arena.

Stan Van Gundy's Orlando Magic lost their first third quarter, since the first game of the post-season. Funny how that works.

Boston utilized the last 3:54 of the third quarter last Thursday night, to help close out the game and series. Once again, Sunday night they closed out the game-- and took home court advantage away from the Magic.

Once again, the third quarter proved to be the turning point.

Yes, the Magic never really played well. Boston held the lead for the entire game.

Between the Boston defense and Orlando's own eighteen turn overs, the defending conference champs could only muster thirty-two first-half points.

Yet and still, going into the half only down by nine, Van Gundy had to feel fortunate. Surely his team would find their rhythm in the third.

Besides, his defense kept the game from getting out of hand.

Then came the third quarter, and the Magic defensive collapse. At one point, the Celtics built a twenty-point lead. In the end, the Celtics scored thirty-three points and led by sixteen points.

Howard appeared to let down-- walking up court on defensive transitions. Boston found success offensively, getting lay-ups on consecutive possessions.

Offensively, Howard allowed the Celtics to frustrate him, with fouls and physical play.

Rivers game plan excluded double coverage on Howard. Boston center Kendrick Perkins refused to let Howard find deep position in the paint.

Howard missed layups when he could shoot, and endured hard fouls when he couldn't shoot quick enough.

Gone were the easy dunks and pump fakes. Welcome to the NBA's Eastern Conference Finals Superman.

Howard compounded his frustration by shooting fifty-eight percent from the free-throw line.

J.J. Redick conveyed after the game that the long break lets you “forget what it takes”.

Now he knows the truth in Doc Rivers' words.

“Somebody will take the easy way out.”