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Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic
NBA Playoffs: Conference Finals - Game 2 - Celtics Lead Series 1-0
Tuesday May 18, 2010 08:30 PM EST (ESPN)
The Line: Orlando -7.5
Game 1: The Boston Celtics raced out to a quick start and used their trademark smothering defense the rest of the way too take down the Orlando Magic 92-88 on Sunday in the Eastern Conference finals opener. Despite the shorter break, the Celtics looked life the fresher team on Sunday as they raced out to a 22-14 lead at the first break, which soon turned into a 41-32 half time advantage. The Celtics put the foot to the accelerator to open the third term as they lead by as many as 20 points at one stage and looked to be cruising to an easy win. The Magic however had different ideas as they outscored the Celtics 30-18 in final term and got within two points on a Jameer Nelson tip in to make 90-88, however that as close as they would get as Ray Allen calmly sank two free throws to seal the victory for the Celtics. Ray Allen continued his strong postseason play scoring a game high 25 points while Paul Pierce poured in 22 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the Celtics who have now won four straight playoff games and in the process handed the Magic their first loss of the playoffs and broke their 14 game winning streak, which dated back to the regular season. The Magic, who had their lowest scoring output of the the playoffs, shot just 41% from the field and 22% from beyond the arc were led by Vince Carter who had a team high 23 points and Jameer Nelson finished the game with 20 points.
Regular Season: The Orlando Magic won three of four meetings against the Celtics in the regular season, while each team covered in two games apiece. In their first meeting of the season back in November, the Magic led by as many as 16 points, eventually running out 83-78 winners in Boston, despite being without point guard Jameer Nelson. Boston would then win the rematch on Christmas Day with a 86-77 win in Orlando without Paul Pierce. Orlando then came from double digits deficits in their final two meetings of the season to take out the regular season series 3-1.
Prediction: With the Celtics handing the Magic a surprise loss on Sunday, Game 2 now becomes a pivotal must-win game for the Magic as they can ill afford to be down 2-0 heading into Boston for Games 3&4. With Orlando getting off to such a slow start in Game 1, you can expect to see a more focused Magic team that will be trying to establish Dwight Howard early and often, thus opening things up on the perimeter as the games goes on. While I believe the Magic will bounce back and even the series in Game 2, I think giving up that many points in what is shaping out up to be a scrappy low scoring series is just to many. The Celtics are the real deal and I think they keep this one close again....
Dan's Pick: Boston +7.5
(I was tossing up between Boston +7.5 and Orlando -2 First quarter, take your pick really)
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DAN
PLEASE, PLEASE, PICK A WINNER AGAINST THE SPREAD. C'MON DAN,
YOU CAN DO IT. THESE FIRST HALF, OVER AND UNDER BS JUST DOESN'T
HELP OUT IN THE COUNTRY. WE NEED WINNERS AGAINST THE SPREAD AND
WE'LL FOLLOW YOU AS WE DO MITCH.