Orlando Magic (45-16) vs Boston Celtics (49-14) 3/8

[ACF]

I officially don't believe in HCA
anymore. We have to win at the Q.
I'm not blaming the refs, the Magic
were better today. But we were missing
five players. Loved the comeback but
too little too late. Like I said, we simply
have to win at the Q. We will. That's
right, I called it. WE WILL WIN AT THE Q.

[Rondo_is_better]

Anyone watching Dwight howards postgame? he said something about sending us a message...I dont know.. the only message I got is we're still way better then them...down 2 starters, key bench players, shouldve had no way to win the game, and still had a chance at the end

Haha, wow, did he really say that? Really? Its so obvious that we're the better team.

[twinbree]

Anyone watching Dwight howards postgame? he said something about sending us a message...I dont know.. the only message I got is we're still way better then them...down 2 starters, key bench players, shouldve had no way to win the game, and still had a chance at the end

What message? That even with almost half the Celtic rotation injured the Magic can still blow a 22 point lead in a quarter? OK then loud and clear.

[twinbree]

I officially don't believe in HCA
anymore. We have to win at the Q.
I'm not blaming the refs, the Magic
were better today. But we were missing
five players. Loved the comeback but
too little too late. Like I said, we simply
have to win at the Q. We will. That's
right, I called it. WE WILL WIN AT THE Q.

At full strength if they played like they did on Friday, they can win at the Q. I don't doubt that they are capable of clamping down any team in the league if they come out with a full 4 quarter effort. Their problem is the inconsistency.

[Cman]

45 for Pierce/ 46 for Ray. I think Doc needs to make it a point to not have them play all half regardless of the score. It could be the difference in making their shots at the end.  

Absolutely.  It is simply ridiculous that he plays them as much as he does.

[Cman]

Anyone watching Dwight howards postgame? he said something about sending us a message...I dont know.. the only message I got is we're still way better then them...down 2 starters, key bench players, shouldve had no way to win the game, and still had a chance at the end

Okay, Dwight, we get it, you are _superman and you really showed us today.

Not.

[celticinorlando]

Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. dwight howard....the C's dominated the second half...just started slow

[celticinorlando]

i will say this....it was going to be tough beating the cavs and magic in three days. i tlike the celtics upcoming schedule...miami twice, memphis and milwaukee...they just need to get some bodies back....was rondo held out because it was precautionary?

[FLCeltsFan]

I don't think it was just precautionary because they said he may miss more than just this game. 

[celticinorlando]

I don't think it was just precautionary because they said he may miss more than just this game. 

ugh...we can't catch a break.....boston does have 2 full days off before playing wednesday so i am hoping he returns by miami...come on marbury...gotta get the rust off

[crownsy]

wow, seriously refs?

Im so tired of this crap with NBA refs. Thats a no call.

No one came to watch you decide the game with 30 seconds left. Let the players decide it, dont call a retarded foul off the ball to gift wrap the game for a team. ridiculous.

NBA officiating is a huge problem, and takes it from being taken seriously. and the league seems not to care.

How wasn't that a foul? Leon was holding the guy's arm. I understand the "let the players decide the game late" reasoning, but they still need to enforce some rules. You can stop a guy from cutting by chesting him, but not by using your arms to hold him. Otherwise, you wouldn't see any off-the-ball action in the last minutes and teams would have a very hard time scoring.

The 4th foul on Howard was the worst in the game.

did you see me say once it wasn't a foul by the book? way to jump to conclusions, as usual.

But, considering the league office is ON RECORD, from just last year over the spurs fallout, rightly or wrongly, that the game is called differently and looser in the last two minutes to let players decide it, thats a no call. it had zero inpact, by the time the foul was called, lewis had already shook leon off and gotten to the spot.

[RockinRyA]

wow, seriously refs?

Im so tired of this crap with NBA refs. Thats a no call.

No one came to watch you decide the game with 30 seconds left. Let the players decide it, dont call a retarded foul off the ball to gift wrap the game for a team. ridiculous.

NBA officiating is a huge problem, and takes it from being taken seriously. and the league seems not to care.

How wasn't that a foul? Leon was holding the guy's arm. I understand the "let the players decide the game late" reasoning, but they still need to enforce some rules. You can stop a guy from cutting by chesting him, but not by using your arms to hold him. Otherwise, you wouldn't see any off-the-ball action in the last minutes and teams would have a very hard time scoring.

The 4th foul on Howard was the worst in the game.

did you see me say once it wasn't a foul by the book? way to jump to conclusions, as usual.

But, considering the league office is ON RECORD, from just last year over the spurs fallout, rightly or wrongly, that the game is called differently and looser in the last two minutes to let players decide it, thats a no call. it had zero inpact, by the time the foul was called, lewis had already shook leon off and gotten to the spot.

the real issue here is consistency. if rip wouldnt be called for a numerous holding, scratching, ripping fouls, neither should leon. i think thats why people are mad at the refs

[gar]

Did not see the game; but am confused by what I read here. If the idea was to break in Marbury and sacrifice a win, then I understand the start; but then why play the PP, RA 40 min? What a great chance for Walker to also get some minutes. Seems like Doc is just winging it. Putting Marbury out there with the starter when he has not had much time with them seems odd.

If you wanted to win the game why not start House and bring in Marbury and Pruitt off the bench. If House subs for Marbury you loose the only real chemistry that the second unit is starting to develop.

How long do you give the Marbury experiment?

[Tai]

It's the other way around. See, House is supposed to be on the 2nd unit, that's the thing. I guess Doc did just want Marbury to get more minutes and get situated with the offensive schemes. That's all.

I think Ray Ray and PP being on the court so much is due to the Celtics bench being depleted with Scal and TA out. Now, BBD may have to be out for a game or two. It just doesn't look good.

[crownsy]

Did not see the game; but am confused by what I read here. If the idea was to break in Marbury and sacrifice a win, then I understand the start; but then why play the PP, RA 40 min? What a great chance for Walker to also get some minutes. Seems like Doc is just winging it. Putting Marbury out there with the starter when he has not had much time with them seems odd.

If you wanted to win the game why not start House and bring in Marbury and Pruitt off the bench. If House subs for Marbury you loose the only real chemistry that the second unit is starting to develop.

How long do you give the Marbury experiment?

i don't thin its an experiment, he just needs to get in game shape.

Think of him as an injured player, they tend to play rusty for 5-8 games when they start never mind off the bench.

I think he should have kept his minutes down more, but i have no problem with the start so much as i had a problem with how LONG steph played.

he's outta shape, work him in gradualy. would have rather seen him split time with house, not get as many minutes as he did