Can the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic Slow the Wheels of Fate?

The prospects of advancing to the NBA Finals appear bleak for the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic, but if either team should fail in their respective Game Three contests, the odds become virtually impossible.

Trying to overcome a 2-0 deficit is a difficult task under most circumstances, but considering the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics sport a recent championship pedigree, the level of difficulty is increased tenfold.

Most observers believe each series is over anyway—and that may be true. But if either the Suns or Magic fall behind 3-0 it's hard to picture them winning four games in a row against the Lakers or Celtics.

So Game Three is paramount to each team's chances of remaining relevant this postseason, and if the Suns and Magic hope to prolong their seasons, attention must be paid to several areas of each team's approach.

It has become apparent that the Suns are not going to be able to stop Los Angeles from scoring, but they must find a way to reduce the Lakers' ridiculous 58 percent field goal average through two games.

That field goal percentage has accounted for 252 points, an average of 126 per game. If the Lakers continue to score in that range the series is over, because Los Angeles has been able to get defensive stops.

The size difference in the post will be difficult to overcome, but the Suns must pose some sort of challenge, because it has been to easy for Lakers' paint players like Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol.

Suns coach Alvin Gentry says the Suns' are not going to get any taller—and that is true. But Phoenix must efficiently utilize the size they have, and find a way to adjust to the Lakers' power scheme.

Robin Lopez has been effective when given the opportunity, but Gentry seems to favor a smaller lineup most of the time, and this plays into the Lakers' hands because it allows them to control tempo.

Gentry is trying to increase the tempo with this lineup, but on the defensive end of the floor the size disparity allows Los Angeles to be slow and deliberate about working the ball into the post.

Amar'e Stoudemire must also find his resolve on the boards and the defensive end, because his pedestrian efforts have crippled his team's chances in the paint.

Stoudemire has a total of nine rebounds through two games and his defense on Odom and Gasol has made the paltry rebounding sum look pretty good in comparison.

Stoudemire will never be considered a defensive player by any measure, but his performances have raised questions about his desire even to compete on the defensive end of the floor.

He has poor footwork and takes bad angles, but most of this could be alleviated by more attention to detail and a willingness to commit for the greater good of the team.

These things may give Phoenix a chance in Game Three, but unless Steve Nash becomes more assertive in pursuing his own offense, the Suns may not make it back to Los Angeles.

Derek Fisher's strength has been effective at keeping Nash away from the rim, but there are scoring opportunities to be had in the pick and roll if Nash is aggressive in his offense.

Nash has been passing the ball out of those situations with more frequency, but in order for the Suns to find their rhythm, Nash is going to have to provide a lot more points on the offensive end.

Orlando's plight may be more dire than the Suns' because, unlike Phoenix, the Magic are forced to win Game Three away from the comforts of their home environment.

The irony in the Magic's situation is found in their concerted effort to feed center Dwight Howard the ball in the post, which may be a reason for the lack of rhythm Orlando has encountered.

In order for the Magic to be successful, Howard does have to be effective in the post, but Boston has forced Orlando to start their offense in the paint instead of the perimeter.

This scheme becomes a problem, because Orlando has few players capable of creating their own offense off the dribble. And Jameer Nelson, the one player capable of doing this, has been neutralized by the defense of Rajon Rondo.

The value of the departed Hedo Turkoglu should be evident to Orlando fans now, because it was Turkoglu who initiated the offense last season when the Magic were able to go into Boston and win Game Seven.

Turkoglu's ability to penetrate the lane caused the Celtics' fits last season and he also had a length advantage over anyone defending him which made it easier to see and shoot over the defense.

The Magic has no such luxury with Hedo's offseason replacement, Vince Carter. But Orlando did win two games during the course of the regular season in Boston, and they did it in the same manner that made them successful for most of the year.

Namely, the Magic let the three pointers fly, they picked their places to penetrate, and they kept the Celtics' defense honest by forcing double teams in the paint with Howard.

Orlando seems confident in their chances, as Rashard Lewis pointed out last season's achievements, but these are not last year's Celtics. And these are not last season's Magic either.

Kevin Garnett didn't play in the series last season and the absence of Turkoglu has been more damaging than was once thought to Orlando, so they must find a way to adjust.

The Celtics are playing some of their best defense of the season and, with a chance to effectively end the series, the intensity is sure to be high.

Can the pride factor that comes with being the Eastern Confernce's defending champion be enough to save Orlando's season? Can the Suns find the defensive fortitude to slow the Lakers' offensive juggernaut?

All of these questions will be answered this weekend: Either the Magic and Suns will enter next week with new life or they will both be preparing for an early summer break.