Orlando beats Boston in 5 or 6 max

When did I say I didn't want to hear opinions 808?  I enjoy evey opinion in here.  I respect them all even if I don't agree with them.  I am not sure where you are coming from 808?  No disrespect 808, but please don't put words in my mouth. 

 

What I did say is that we won't know who is right until they play the games.  There is an argument for the Celtics and I made an argument for Orlando.  I stand by my capping and thoughts for Orlando. 

 

NBA fan, I have Orlando to win the series at +110.  Boston at -130 is great percieved value.  I just think the number should be higher for the Celtics, which makes me feel more confident about the Magic. 

 

I enjoy the conversation gentlemen.  I will be the first person to congratulate you if Boston wins, I just don't think that is going to happen.  I will not disappear from this thread if that happens.  Lets just keep it going.  Lets break it down game by game when the time comes.

 

Now I need the Heat to turn it up in the 2nd half.

The Celtics are not the same team as last year.  They are missing 2 of their best frontcourt players in KG and Powe and we both know they aren't coming back for this series.  But as the Celtics showed against the Bulls they can win without them because they have great guard play in Allen, Rondo and Pierce.  Pierce won game 5 for Boston in the most pivotal game of the series when it looked like Boston was done.  If he doesn't make 4 quality shots in a row they lose the game and the series would have been over.  As a Boston fan, I think the matchup against the Magic is easier.  Howard will have big games but Perkins is no slouch at defense but the problem is going to be staying out of foul trouble.  Perkins will have to be content letting Howard score on some possessions and not trying to block every shot.  Let Howard try to make his runners and hooks which are two shots he does not quite have in his arsenal yet and is average at best.  He is a dunker and a layup guy right now.  He's got an average shot.  Rashard Lewis and Turkoglu are good but are they better shooters than Ben Gordon and John Salmons?  They really are about the same so there will be some trouble for the Celtics there but I think Pierce will be able to guard Turkoglu pretty well and Lewis is streaky and not quite as good as Gordon in my opinion.  The biggest difference in the Magic and the Bulls is the point guard where Rondo had to play against Rose at both ends of the floor and Rose had a great series and the Bulls still lost.  The Bulls had a pretty good inside game with Joakim Noah, Brad Miller and Tyrus Thomas and having three big bodies who can all do different things (Noah the rebounder and put back athletic type, Miller the shooter, and Thomas the shot blocker and all-around player) is tougher to matchup against than one player (Howard) who might get in foul trouble himself.  I think the Celtics win in 6 or 7 but if they play really well I could see them winning in 5.  Remember, Pierce missed a free throw in game 1 that would have won it in regulation and the same in game 4 a free throw that would have won it and if he makes those the Celtics win that series in 5 games.  Of course it's stupid to put everything on two free throws because he could have missed any number of shots prior to that that would have changed the outcome of the game and like I said he singlehandedly made difficult shots at the end of regulation and OT of game 5 to win a game they were down by 11 in the fourth quarter.  To me the rotation of Orlando (Howard, Turkoglu, Lewis, Alston, Pietrus, Lee, Bogans, Reddick) is as athletic as Chicago's rotation (Noah, Miller, Thomas, Gordon, Rose, Salmons, Hinrich) and athletic teams would give the Celtics more problems because they have the talented players, athletes and pure shooters like Allen, Pierce, Rondo, House, Davis, Perkins to compete with Orlando in a half-court game.   I think Turkoglu and Lewis are the key to this series for Orlando because Howard is going to average great numbers but he can't win it by himself.  I think Turkoglu is the most important player in this series he can either keep Orlando in it or if he fails the magic will fail.  And if Lewis doesn't play well and Turkoglu doesn't play well, the magic will lose in 5.  If Lewis plays well and Turkoglu doesn't, they will lose in 6, and if they both play well, it will go 7 and either team can win.  Of course, the Celtics are going to need a good series from Allen again, but I think he can be counted on he is one of the best shooters in the history of the NBA and barring any more injuries to the Celtics they will win.  I think Boston in 6.

"To me the rotation of Orlando (Howard, Turkoglu, Lewis, Alston, Pietrus, Lee, Bogans, Reddick) is as athletic as Chicago's rotation (Noah, Miller, Thomas, Gordon, Rose, Salmons, Hinrich) and athletic teams would give the Celtics more problems because they have the talented players, athletes and pure shooters like Allen, Pierce, Rondo, House, Davis, Perkins to compete with Orlando in a half-court game.  "

 

The rotation of Orlando is NOT as athletic as Chicago's rotation.  Orlando will play a half-court game with shooters (lewis and turkoglu) who are not quite as good as Gordon, Rose, and Salmons.  Boston will beat them in a half-court game because a)allen is one of the greatest shooters in the NBA, b)Pierce will be able to take Turkoglu to the hoop or make his mid-range jumpers and c)most importantly Rondo will have a much easier time breaking down Alston than the best athlete in the NBA derrick rose.  Look for Rondo to have a Jason Kidd type series with huge assist numbers.  I think House will play well off the bench.  Glen Davis proved he has game and should be a tough matchup for the magic.  Perkins has the defense to contest Howard but will have to stay out of foul trouble. 

Gamebreaker, good analysis.  The only problem I have is if you watched the Bulls series, Thomas is not a rebounder, he is actually a horrible rebounder.  And Noah and miller had several rebounds taken away from them by guys like Perkins and even Rondo.  The Bulls gave up an average of 6-10 points per games on easy put backs for Boston.  I think Orlando is a better rebounding team and will limit those opportunities. 

 

NBAFAN I will not apologize or give in if Orlando goes down 2-0.  That is what is supposed to happen.  I will definately admit I was wrong if Orlando loses the series though.  I am getting the feeling that you guys dont think I have a chance in hell in this series...and my capping and thoughts have no merit...which is completely fine.  But if betting was so easy we would all be winners, or at least you Celtic backers would be.  Like I said, I will not hide and I look forward to debating this series starting tomorrow.  Although softball season started up here so I will most likely comment on this thread Tuesday morning no matter what happens tomorrow night. 

 

I am here all night fellas.

 

Meat

this series comes down to which big three you like better.  i'll take allen, pierce and rondo over howard, lewis and turkoglu.  i think it's pretty close and i can see how you would pick orlando. 

Howard may make it a slower pace game for the magic but he also changes how you play against them. Rondo is NOT driving inside! as well as pierce. not to mention how the bulls made Baby look so good in that series. not happening! Celtics better find a way to play better or this is gonna be a short series.

AVG ? Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are fuking AVG ? You are clearly not the sharpest tool in the toolbox.

Rashard Lewis is good and Hedo Turkoglu is AVG AT BEST.....I will take Lewis over GLU anyday.

If Howard cant get to the RIM he is AVG. Guy cant shoot FT's and has no range for jumpers.

This box plays NO DEFENSE all he do is shoot 3's.

this orlando team isnt as good as in the regular season. they couldve easily lost to a crappy phils team and boston is gelling now and i dont see them shuting down rondo pierce allen and the like. i love boston only laying 2.5 tomorrow and yes maybe the magic can still one in beantown but boston will definitely get one or two in orlando. i say boston in 6

Boston comes out weak in game 1 - they suck, Dwight with own down low - look for Lewis to EXPOSE #4 on Celtics and I look to see Magic in 6 also Rondo is a dirty fool who Kirk should of knocked the f88 out in Chicago - but anywho Lakers win game 1 - easy - KOBE

over 188.5...boston allows 100ppg.  how will orland shut down boston? 

The Defense Came out to play...

Orlando played a good game.  They took advantage of a tired Boston team who got blown away to start the game. It took them awhile to get thier legs under them.  Maybe they were tired ;)  Boston made a good comeback and made a game of it, but utimately lost the game. 

 

I'm telling you Boston needs a 2 day break at some point, but they wont get one at all this series.  The lack of bodies and fatigue is really starting to show. 

 

I look for the CEltics to gut out a win in game 2.  I am sure the refs may lean a bit towards the tired champs.  If Boston wins game 2, Orlando wins in 6, if Orlando wins game 2, get out the brooms. 

 

I look for Boston to win the game tonight.  If they are going to get a game, tonight is it.  I expect them to receive all the "bounces" tonight.  Then Orlando will take charge at home.