Game 49/82: Magic (33-17) @ C’s (32-16)
Posted by Brian Robb on Feb 7, 2010
AP
Orlando at Boston
2:30 P.M. EST.
TD Garden
Local TV/Radio: ABC/WEEI
Offensive Efficiency:
Boston: 107.8 points/100 possessions (13th)
Magic: 108.1 points/100 possessions (12th)
Defensive Efficiency:
Boston: 101.8 points allowed/100 possessions (1st)
Magic: 102.5 points allowed/100 possessions (2nd)
Probable ORL starters:
Jameer Nelson, Vince Carter, Matt Barnes, Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard
Injury Report
Magic: None Celtics: QUESTIONABLE: Paul Pierce, Marquis Daniels
Thumbnail: The Celtics cap off a 3 game homestand with hopes of salvaging a season split with the rival Magic as well as getting back on the winning track against elite opponents. The potential returns of Paul Pierce and Marquis Daniels should be of assistance in that effort.
WHAT THE MAGIC DO WELL:
* Defend. If you are a fan of defense, you’ve come to the right place this afternoon with the C’s being number 1 in defensive efficiency and Magic right behind at number 2. When you’re the creme of the crop at this category, there have to be a number of things you do well and the Magic are no exception in that department. Let’s take a closer look at the specifics
* Opponents FG Percentage: .435 (2nd in NBA)
* Defensive Rebounding Percentage: .224 (1st)
* Keeping opponents off the line: (8th in league in percentage)
A very well rounded squad, defensively speaking with some bizarre chinks in the armor which we will get to later. Nonetheless, Dwight Howard is a major asset in all of these categories, so the C’s would be wise to get him into foul trouble early in this one, like they did 2 weeks ago in Orlando.
* 3 point shooting
Orlando’s bread and butter. They launch with reckless abandonment from downtown, leading the league in attempts all the while pissing Superman off and helping limiting his touches down low. The bad news for the C’s is they shoot it quite well at 36.3 percent which is good for 8th in the league. However, this is still a bit of drop off from their 38 percent clip from downtown last year.
WHAT THE MAGIC DO POORLY:
* Defend the Perimeter. They won’t run you off the 3 point line (22nd in league) and they also don’t force many turnovers out there either (26th in league). Two bizarre chinks in the armor for a team that does almost everything else well defensively. We all know about the C’s turnover problems, so not having a team that compounds the problem will hopefully help the C’s manage the issue tonight.
* Shooting from the Free Throw Line. Dead last in the league in FT Shooting Percentage. You can blame Dwight Howard for that one (59 percent from stripe)
* Offensive Rebounding
A bizarre deficiency given how great of a rebounder Dwight Howard is, but when you fire from downtown as often as the Magic do, and your power forward is one the guys who shoots it the post, it leaves little help for Howard generally. Despite this, the Magic still killed the C’s last game on the offensive glass (17 offensive rebounds) so the C’s will have to keep up their improved rebounding effort tonight.
* Taking care of the ball:
Not as bad as this department, but still below average (19th in turnover percentage)
PLAYER/S WHO MAKE ME WORRY:
* Dwight Howard There are many parts of his game that worry me in this one (rebounding and defense) but I’m a bit concerned how comfortable he appeared to get down low against Perk when the team matched up 2 weeks ago. For years, Perk has had Howard’s number down low, but Superman looked to get into a bit of a groove in the post late in that contest, helping lead the comeback against the C’s. Hopefully, just a blip on the radar, but not excited to see if Howard got over the mental hump against the C’s and whether it will carry over to this contest.
* Rashard Lewis
He’s heating up from downtown in the last 10 games (44 percent shooting) and he has the size and speed to give KG some trouble as he continues to make his way back physically and mentally since returning from the hyperextended knee. Lewis has been a thorn in the C’s side these past 2 years so keeping him out of rhythm tonight will be crucial.
PLAYER/S WHO DO NOT MAKE ME WORRY:
* Vince Carter
I love seeing him destroy this team’s offense taking 20 shots, many of which are with a hand in his face. His shooting percentages recently (34 percent from field in last 10 games) reflect this. I hope he plays 40 minutes this afternoon.
WHAT WE WANT TO SEE FROM THE C’s TONIGHT:
* Keep it simple, stupid
The C’s have cut the turnovers during their recent 3 games winning streak to 15 a game. Still not a great number, but progress nonetheless. Against elite opponents like The Magic, the C’s are not good enough to go above this number and still pull out games. I want to see an emphasis on taking care of the ball, with few balls thrown away after needless fancy passes. Value every possession.
Rebounding
Pretty self explanatory here. C’s have stepped up their efforts in this department on both sides of the floor ever since the Atlanta loss last weekend. The two giants Howard and Marcin Gortat killed the C’s in the 4th on the glass late time out. An improved effort would work wonders today.
Attack, Attack, Attack
Orlando is a good defensive team as we have talked about. Getting involved in a half court affair with them is not in the C’s interest today. If Rondo and company get out in transition, they can beat this Magic team up and down the floor. Attacking is the strength of the C’s offense right now. They need to do it and do it during crunch time if they want to win.
PREDICTION: I have a good feeling about this one. Have the C’s been lackluster lately, despite their 3 game winning streak? Absolutely. But, let’s remember here, that a) C’s probably had it on cruise control against inferior opponents like the Nets for much of that contest and b) The C’s have made subtle strides in addressing their rebounding and turnover issues lately. With Paul Pierce and Marquis Daniels likely making their returns, C’s should have the firepower they need to get a much needed win against a quality opponent. It will be close throughout, but Celts do just enough to pull it out. C’s 97, Magic 91.
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