NBA Playoffs ECF: Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics

[King Taharqa]

(2) Orlando Magic (58-23)

STARTING 5

PG #14 Jameer Nelson

6'0 190 lbs

St. Joseph's '04

12.4 PPG 5.4 APG 84.8 FT% 37.7 3PT%

SG #15 Vince Carter

6'6 220 lbs

North Carolina '98

16.5 PPG 3.2 APG 36.3 3PT% 83.3 FT% 3.9 RPG

SF #22 Matt Barnes

6'7 226 lbs

UCLA '02

8.7 PPG 5.4 RPG 1.6 APG 48.6 FG% 32.7 3PT%

PF #9 Rashard Lewis

6'10 230 lbs

Alief Elsik HS '98

14.1 PPG 4.4 RPG 39.8 3PT% 80.5 FT

C #12 Dwight Howard

6'11 265 lbs

SW Atlanta Christian Academy '04

18.5 PPG 13.2 RPG 2.8 BPG 61.0 FG%

BENCH

PG-Jason "White Chocolate" Williams

SG-JJ Redick

SF-Mickael "Air France" Pietrus

PF-Brandon Bass

C-Marcin Gortat

HEAD COACH

Stan Van Gundy

[King Taharqa]

(4) Boston Celtics (50-32)

STARTING 5

PG #9 Rajon Rondo

6'1 171 lbs

Kentucky '06

13.7 PPG 9.8 APG 4.4 RPG 2.4 SPG

SG #20 Ray "Jesus Shuttlesworth" Allen

6'5 205 lbs

UCONN '96

16.2 PPG 3.2 RPG 2.7 APG 91.5 FT% 36.0 3PT%

SF #34 Paul "The Truth" Pierce

6'7 235 lbs

Kansas '98

18.1 PPG 4.4 RPG 3.1 APG 41.6 3PT% 85.1 FT%

PF #5 Kevin "The Big Ticket" Garnett

6'11 253 lbs

Faragut Academy '95 (Chicago, IL)

14.4 PPG 7.3 RPG 52.2 FG% 83.8 FT%

C #43 Kendrick Perkins

6'10 280 lbs

Clifton J. Ozen HS '03 (Beaumont, TX)

10.2 PPG 7.6 RPG 60.3 FG%

BENCH

PG-Nate Robinson

SG-Michael Finley

SF-Tony Allen

PF-Glen "Big Baby" Davis

C-Rasheed Wallace

HEAD COACH

Glenn "Doc" Rivers

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This series is a tough one to call. Both teams match up well with each other. But Ima go with the Celtics in 6 games. The Magic have not been tested at all this playoffs and will face an experienced gutty Celtics team that has taken out Dwayne Wade and LeBron James. I think with their bigs they can take care of Dwight Howard. The question is, will Paul Pierce and Ray Allen show up? Cuz Rondo alone cant do it. The Magic will score points and hit 3s so its imperative for the Celtics guards to step up. I have no faith in the Magic. They are PRETENDERS and only want to make the Finals to lay down for Kobe & LA. The Celtics on the other hand are not afraid of the Lakers and beat them in the Finals just 2 years ago. The psychological edge the Lakers have on 99% of the league, doesnt work against the Celtics who have dominated the Laker franchise thru out history. That being said, Im rooting for the C's because I think they have a better chance to dethrone the defending champs than the Magic. Should be a good series.

[HeatCheck]

I'm taking Orlando. Although Orlando has been sweeping through the playoffs, this series will be different. Boston has a great defense that will keep the in games. Their defense will lead them into the offense a lot of the times in transition. Have to keep an eye not only on Rondo in transition but also Ray Allen. Allen makes a good amount of his 3s in transition. Also its going to be an interesting match-up between Rondo and Nelson.

But I think Magic's defense and 3s will once again lead them to a series win.

Magic in 7.

[Kevin Greene]

Picking the Magic in a brawl but as a Laker fan I prefer the Celtics win. There is nothing better than kicking Boston's ass in the finals.

[Kakarot]

Magic in 5

[Implied Volatility]

I'm gonna go with my gut feeling and take Boston in 6. The Celtics pushed Orlando to 7 games last year without KG in the lineup. I think the Celtics will be able to defend the Magic very well, similar to the how Bobcats did. But unlike the 'Cats, I think Boston will find enough offense to pull it out.

[tarheelpride]

Magic in 5 if, and only IF their 3's fall like they did against us and Atlanta

Magic in 7 otherwise, although i can see Boston sneaking this one out

[Hawk]

I think this is going to be a long, hard fought battle. Boston has more depth in my opinion, but Howard is a beast and Carter has been playing some decent ball again.

I'm taking Orlando in 7

[Dpantherman]

the Magic look lost. howard can't even shoot under the basket

[Dpantherman]

Celtics in 5

[pantherfan49]

Dwight Howard has replaced Sam Cassell as the NBA's biggest whiner

[Dpantherman]

Nelson just hustles. wow

[Dpantherman]

Magic fought in the 4th but it was too late. howard for the most part was garbage. Great Celtics D, but Howard showed lack of effort too often. Celtics are tough

[King Taharqa]

Celtics go up 1-0