Celtics (54-18) at Magic (52-18) 3/24

[greg683x]

Howard with Perk in the game: 2-for-5, 5 points, 5 rebounds (0 offensive), 2 turnovers

Howard with Perk on the bench: 4-for-4, 8 points, 7 rebounds (3 offensive) 0 turnovers

TP for posting that after everyones been saying the celts big men have been useless tonight.

[celticinorlando]

Perk has played great but fouls hurt him....moore gave them zero and baby has problems on howard without KG there to help....but honestly the 3 defense has not been good and boston isn't stopping the ball....got to contain the 3's

[chief3233]

Man I want KG back to full strength NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[celticinorlando]

i thought for sure Doc would push his minutes tonight.....we need him....

[cordobes]

There will be nothing easy about beating Orlando, Cleveland or anyone else, for that matter.

eh, i think the 5 lower seeds arent really that good even atlanta.

Orlando will be tougher than some think, but they lack a solid slashing wing and defenders.

Cleveland however, is no joke, and thats going to be a war and a half, assuming we get that far.

They're the 2nd best defence in the entire NBA after the C's. In fact, they lead the league in opponent FG% alllowed. How the heck do they lack defenders?

[Who]

As an aside, Anthony Johnson and Marcin Gortat are two guys I wouldn't mind having in back-up roles on the C's next year (depending obviously on who else is available, etc.).

I'm a big fan of Marcin Gortat -- terrific rebounder. Good defender and solid garbage man offensively.

I'd actually like to see some team, who doesn't have a legit starting center, take a shot and Gortat and give him 30 minutes a night. I think some really good things would happen (great value for money in that scenario).

I'd love to see the C's add Gortat for next season.

Anthony Johnson? No, I think he's done, I think he's an excellent third string point guard at this stage in his career. He's been poor for Orlando this season. I think asking him to be the primary backup on a good team is asking too much.

Are the Magic better with Rafer Alston? Ive never been sold on Jameer nelson, and I think alston atually brings more of what this magic team needs then nelson

I think Jameer Nelson has been Orlando's second best player this season. Losing him stops Orlando from being a contender.

But, next season, with Nelson and Alston on the same team? That's one of the best 1-2 punches in the league at the point guard position.

Orlando are a great fit for Rafer too, SVG lets his players play with freedom which really benefits Alston.

[celticinorlando]

boston is having issues matching up with their size tonight...lewis is a tough guard and boston is getting one shot and out tonight..usually a long jumper

[fan33]

Give 'em an ear full Doc, then the technical coachin'... Ugly and physical half commin' up...

Big half by Ray and Paul for the win, presuppose they D-up like the dickens here...

Take it to the hoop Capt!!!

[Ersatz]

it is halftime but with limited KG time...perk in foul trouble and baby playing the entire half almost...it is going to be tough...defense is just not getting it done

I'm looking at the box score--at work, can't watch--and see 42% shooting for Orlando and we're outrebounding them. Is the D that bad?

[celticinorlando]

we need ray and PP to pick it up...but it all starts on defense for the celtics.......

[chief3233]

I smell a 2nd half coming like the last C's-Magic game in Boston!

[celticinorlando]

it is halftime but with limited KG time...perk in foul trouble and baby playing the entire half almost...it is going to be tough...defense is just not getting it done

I'm looking at the box score--at work, can't watch--and see 42% shooting for Orlando and we're outrebounding them. Is the D that bad?

orlando is getting a ton of 3's to drop and they are getting to the hoop....orlando started to pick up the rebounding late in the first and boston has had to settle for jumpers...defense in the post is ok...a lot of junk put back for howard and the 3's are killing them

[MetroGlobe]

Man I want KG back to full strength NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think KG is back to full strength.  Doc is holding him back.  I think this is going to prove to be a critical mistake come playoff time, when we could have earned ourselves a higher seed.

[celticinorlando]

i hope they can back up the "we can win on the road no matter who, when or where" motto is legit....because it may be at orlando at cleveland and at LA...that is a tough road

[Thruthelookingglass]

it is halftime but with limited KG time...perk in foul trouble and baby playing the entire half almost...it is going to be tough...defense is just not getting it done

I'm looking at the box score--at work, can't watch--and see 42% shooting for Orlando and we're outrebounding them. Is the D that bad?

Aye.