Magic-Celtics: Presto! Orlando Makes C's Series Lead Dissapear
First quarter statements were made by Boston in the first three games of the series. Boston basically took at least a ten point lead in all of the first three games. That sent a message to the Magic that basically stated: "You can't win this series."
Boston dominated the Magic with smart and rough defense, the kind of defense from the 80's. Boston took away their most dangerous attribute, the three point shot, in a half court setting. Boston didn't double Dwight Howard like every other team in the NBA had all season. This allowed the Celtics to keep a hand in all the faces of all those good three point shooters, which shook the Magic.
Orlando looked dazed and confused in the first three games, and Howard was no longer joking and playing around before and during the game.
But in Game Four, the Celtics had Orlando on the ropes, down 0-3, and the Magic, like a wild animal, came out swinging. They finally looked as if they had some sort of pride about themselves.
They figured out that the style of play the were accustomed to would not fly while on the court with a great defensive team. They would have to get physical, play with heart, and play smart, like their opponent.
When the Magic matched the Celtics' intensity on the court, they realized that they could beat Boston at their own game. After all, Orlando does have the two-time Defensive Player of the Year on their team in Howard. They are a good defensive team—they just lacked the heart needed to be great.
Besides being down 0-3, additional motivating factor comes from the comments made by Paul Pierce after Game Three. No one likes to lose, but to taunt them while you have your foot on their neck is a little excessive.
Rondo's leg is banged up, and Nelson has come alive. It has all the ingredients, all Orlando has to do is stir the pot.
The Magic are the better team, but they actually realize it themselves at this point.
Every NBA playoff series gets to a point where each team knows exactly what the other is going to do, and this series has reached that point. Now it's all about who wants it more.
