Photo credit: AP/Elise Amendola
The Orlando Magic went to Boston for a Game 7 showdown with the Celtics to play a game that experts had told them they could never win. Throughout the course of their phenomenal season, the Magic were discounted because, “they wouldn’t be able to get these wins in the playoffs.” On Sunday night in front of a vial, unruly, and sold-out TD Banknorth garden, the Magic made a statement.
During the season, Orlando was often the third or fourth best team in the league by record. They had convincing wins on West Coast road trips; they beat Boston, LA, and Cleveland; they dominated opponents while Dwight Howard established himself as a superstar- but they got no respect. The chorus cried out, “Let’s see them do it in the playoffs.” Sunday night Orlando won a Game 7, on the road, against Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, and a rejuvenated Ray Allen who shot 50% for 23 points. In fact, Ray Allen has not looked as good as he looked in Game 7 since he was called Jesus Shuttlesworth.
Although the Celtics played great basketball, they were out-balled by Hedo Turkoglu with 25 points and 12 assists, Rashard Lewis who had 19 points, and Dwight Howard who Supermanned 5 blocks and 16 rebounds to accompany his 12 points. Not only did Hedo rack up 25 points, but he did it by shooting 80% from behind the bonus line for four threes. Even JJ Redick played reasonably well. The Magic shot 51% from the floor and 61% from the outer limits on their way to a 101-82 stomping.
Howard’s 6 first quarter points helped his team lead by as many as 13. Heading into the half, the Green Gremlins were still down by seven. Coming out of the half, the Celts were able to come within four, but that would be as good as it got. Rafer Alston hit a 3-pointer 1:49 into the game to give Orlando a lead that they never gave back. During the fourth, the Magic extended their lead to as much as 23 in the process of closing out a hard-fought Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.
After the game, Howard said, “We believe. We believe we can go all the way, It’s going to get harder.” The Magic believe – they always have – after Sunday, perhaps the rest of the league will too. Who got game? The Orlando Magic.
Despite the victory, Coach Stan Van Gundy continues to make poor choices. JJ Redick is the worst of the three Magic shooting guards, yet Van Gundy continues to play him. Each time Redick’s name is announced in the starting line-up, fans in Boston would high-five and cheer. Van Gundy also continues failing to orchestrate a well-run offense. Is it working? For now, but every person with a modicum of basketball IQ is aware that the Orlando offense is running with a donut tire. It will do for the time being, but a change needs to be made before the Magic end up in a horrific crash.
Another curious choice that should be noted is that Alston is the least effective person at distributing the basketball from the point. The first option is of course Hedo, then Shard, Anthony Johnson, Courtney Lee, and the fifth best player is Rafer Alston. That being a known fact, when will Van Gundy wise-up and play a Howard-Lewis-Turkoglu-Pietrus-Lee lineup? Sadly the answer is that he will never play that line and the Magic will suffer for it.
Moving forward, the Magic are about to face a seemingly insurmountable challenge in Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Perhaps though, the Magic will carry their Game-7-earned-swagger into Cleveland on Wednesday for another Game 1 upset. Looking back at the Regular Season games between the Cavs and the Magic, one would think this is a series that Cleveland would prefer to skip. The last time that Cleveland was in Orlando, they were, “embarrassed” in Lebron’s words during a 116-87 beat-down. Superman and the Magic would love to see Lebron and the Cavaliers embarrassed again.
