Can Boston be up 3-0? And play focused and with urgence at home.

[TerreHaute]

Not to sound overconfident but the Celtics are just a terrible matchup for the Magic. There is not a single expolitable match-up anywhere on the floor. The C's can guard Howard straight-up. The Magic can't even hit Lewis hard like they did last year. They will try to creat offense via the pick and roll however the C's P&R defense is among the best in the league.

It's like us and Atlanta, there are just certain teams you don't match-up well with and this is one of those situations for Orlando. It will be very interesting to see where Orlando tries to find a favorable match-up..

Totally agree. I was really afraid when we got the 4th seed because I wanted to avoid Cleveland as long as possible. I thought we were going to be OK against Orlando because of our ability to defend Howard without a double team. We definitely can win game two. Heck, I didn't think we played very well offensively in the first game with the amount of turnovers we committed. If we can be more efficient offensively and play with defensive intensity for 48 minutes, Orlando will have to give us their best game to win. Those two things are still in the "if" category, however.

[RebusRankin]

In the words of KG, anything's possible.

[misha]

If this playoffs taught us something - don't bet against the C's.

[jdub1660]

2 players are key to this series IMO - Lewis and Nelson

Howard is going to get his 20 rebounds, 8 blocks etc. And he's going to get to the free throw line and shoot 60 percent.

But it's the other 2 headed monster that can hurt us more. If Lewis starts shooting 60+% from 3 point land, and Nelson picks up his game at the beginning of the game, then we got a series.

Barnes is a no show. W/e points Carter scores, Pierce returns the favor. Pietrus scared me at first, but he's been shut down by the Allens.

If Celtics win game 2, then the series will be closed out in Orlando in 5.

[PosImpos]

Almost certainly not.

But if you had asked me if the Celtics would win Game 5 against Cleveland or win 3 games in a row to clinch the series, I would have told you the same thing.

[twinbree]

We could but will we? As happy as I am with our play right now, I'm still wary. I'm not quite sold on our consistency and focus yet. Tomorrow's game will say a lot about how focused we are. If we show up happy to coast with the 1-0 lead I'll be disappointed but if we lose a competitive game I'll be bummed but optimistic.

I would absolutely love to go up 2-0 because it gives us a good cushion and a chance to end this series sooner than later. I hope we can get it done. We have room to improve and I hope we do tomorrow since I'm sure Orlando will be throwing the kitchen sink at us.

[radiohead]

I think they can. They almost did in Cleveland. Game #1 against the Magic was almost like the one against the Cavs where we were up big, only to lose it in the end. The difference is, we held on to win against Orlando. If the C's come into game #2 with the same mindset they had in Cleveland ( angry at themselves for losing that big lead, feeling confident that they can win on the road, etc)then they have a very good chance of coming out 2-0 heading into Boston.  

[LB3533]

Kenny picking C's in Game 2.

Chuck picking Magic....what a surprise.

[Hoops]

Oh, there's no question that they can. They definitely can. The question is whether they will. It's far from a sure thing, but I actually think Boston will come home up 2-0 - this team has a lot of focus and they are really playing with a chip on their shoulder right now.

[Prof. Clutch]

If the refs are calling fouls on physical play tomorrow that could benefit us as well since Dwight has struggled staying in the game with foul trouble all post season.

[j804]

Kenny picking C's in Game 2.

Chuck picking Magic....what a surprise.

Noticed that, Barkley has to be the biggest Celtic hater ever. What is it jealousy that the Big Three Will will have at least jewelry to show once theyre retired? I think so

[dark_lord]

Kenny picking C's in Game 2.

Chuck picking Magic....what a surprise.

Noticed that, Barkley has to be the biggest Celtic hater ever. What is it jealousy that the Big Three Will will have at least jewelry to show once theyre retired? I think so

i dont remember for sure, but wasnt barkley a big supporter/believer in our team in 08? 

[PosImpos]

I have a feeling the Magic are gonna come out big time and hit a ton of outside shots despite our defense.  They are not gonna practically bury themselves by going down 2-0.  I wouldn't be surprised if we lose by more than 10.

Even if that happens, it's not the end of the world.  The Celtics will bounce back in Boston, I'm sure of it.  We need to keep our perspective even if the C's get beaten by a fair margin tonight.

[pearljammer10]

Sure, if they win.

[Edgar]