Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Via ESPN Stats and Information: One reason for Orlando’s struggles in Game 1 was its inability to hit jump shots in their half-court offense, which was a strength of the [Orlando] Magic over the course of the regular season and the first couple rounds of the playoffs. They even …
Tag Archive: Boston Celtics
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
Orlando’s Rally Falls Short
As seen on ESPN’s Daily Dime. The Orlando Magic relinquished home-court advantage with a loss to the Boston Celtics by the score of 92-88 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, but not before rallying back in the game after being down by as much as 20 points in the second half. After Ray …
May 17
A Closer Examination of Dwight Howard’s Struggles on Offense in Game 1
Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images Via ESPN Stats and Information: During the first two rounds of the playoffs, Dwight Howard was a dominate force in the post. Howard entered Sunday leading the playoffs in field goal percentage on post-ups at 71.1 percent (27-38) (minimum 10 plays), scoring 78 points on 78 post-up plays. …
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
A Look at How the Boston Celtics’ Starting Lineup Fares Against the Orlando Magic
Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images Via ESPN Stats and Information: Boston’s starting five of Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Kendrick Perkins destroyed opponents this season, posting the highest +/- of any 5-player combination in the regular season (+298). Against [the Orlando Magic], however, this lineup was far from dominant. …
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 …