Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images First in a three-part series, I’m going to analyze this year’s playoff performances of several Orlando Magic players. These posts will be offense-centric, given that I will be writing up player evaluations next week, so I’ll reserve analysis on the defense of Dwight Howard – for example — until then. …
Tag Archive: Atlanta Hawks
May 25
Second Look: Orlando Magic 96, Boston Celtics 92 (OT)
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel: “The Orlando Magic were perhaps due some luck in the land of the shamrocks. And with two minutes, 42 seconds left in their season, point guard Jameer Nelson tossed up a 3-point shot that somehow banked in off the glass. Nothing but hope. And that’s what the Magic have to bank on …
May 24
Monday’s Magic Word
Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel: “Once again, Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins says his team is “locked-in” and focused heading into a playoff game against the Orlando Magic. [...] Perkins made similar comments in the hours before Game 3, and we all know how that contest turned out. The first quarter ended with Boston ahead 27-12, and Orlando …
May 24
There’s Defense, and Then There’s the Boston Celtics’ Defense
Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images Via ESPN Stats and Information: The key for the Celtics in the series has been their ability to guard the [Orlando] Magic one-on-one in the paint allowing their defenders to stay at home on Orlando’s shooters and forcing them to make plays. The Celtics’ interior defenders have held the Magic …
May 18
Sneak Preview: Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic, Game 2
Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel: “[Orlando] Magic coach Stan Van Gundy decided before the series that he would use [Vince] Carter to defend Paul Pierce and [Matt] Barnes to defend Allen — the opposite of how the Magic began games against the Celtics during the regular season. Pierce scored 22 points, and Van Gundy said Monday that …
May 17
Second Look: Boston Celtics 92, Orlando Magic 88
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel: “The worst thing that was required from the last playoff perfect team on Sunday was that they were forced to play perfect. The Orlando Magic were so far behind that a late comeback needed to be error-free, every shot had to fall and every stop defended. Even the beer vendor …
May 16
Sneak Preview: Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic, Game 1
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel: “If their chance to construct a championship era was any grander, it would be lit up in blinking neon and announced by blaring horns. Surely, the Orlando Magic have taken a look around the shifting league landscape below them and admired the view. [...] If the Magic can’t see an opening …