Muscle flexing and dancing to the side, the Magic’s pregame warm up was footloose fancy riding atop a righteous rhythm. There’s nothing like seeing Dwight showing off arm definition moments before getting down to business… unfortunately, for the Magic, the Celtics didn’t seem intimidated. During pre-game, the Celtics didn’t shake any legs or pose for a potential Mr. Muscle centerfold. It was about this time that I wondered if sweeping the past two series was a precursor to another rumble… or an inevitable Orlando crumble.
For the few seconds leading up to tip, a thickness smothered an atmosphere lacking fear. From all accounts, both teams felt like the game (and series) belonged to them. It’s moments like this that can crush a franchise or build a legacy, leading one to ask who will be the second place loser? I’ll let you know… soon… very soon; no stone romancing this evening.
Enough of the pillow talk, the threats, the meaningless comparisons, and the pre-game media hype… it’s time to play.
Vince Carter opened with two misses, Celtics opened with two swooshing nets. Took a bit too long but Howard broke the zero level with one made/one missed free throw. First time out at 5:46 had the Celtics up 13 to 7 (for the first time in months, the Magic found themselves behind the cart and in a game of constant catch-up). Thus far, nothing of note except the Magic remained in the game-set that they had all ready won or that winning at the end would be of little effort… after all, they are the Orlando Magic and that should be enough to ward off any rebellion!
End of the first, Celtics up by eight.
First quarter shake-up:
*Obviously no one can keep Howard under control, only keep him on the foul line
* One player from each team missing in action, Rondo for Boston and Nelson for Orlando
* Magic shot two three-pointers, missing both
Second quarter began with Howard earning his second foul for the night. In brief, Boston came out wanting to win while Orlando came out thinking they could take their time. Unfortunately, the Magic’s philosophy and approach needed a regroup at the 9:36 mark and down 29 to 14 (yep, you read 14 correctly).
Back from a much needed sideline session, the Magic’s bench initiated an attack and, with 127 ticks until the end of the first half, a sold-out crowd witnessed the gap fall to nine. Feeling pressure, Boston called for a pow-wow. A second breath by the men in green pushed the lead back to an original stasis as the seconds dwindled to none.
First 24-minute points of interest:
* Temper tantrum count: Howard feeling the pressure but holding his own
* Can’t hit the side of a barn from five feet away summary: Team Orlando shot 34% with Barnes leading the way (and NOT in a good way) missing all attempts, Howard missing four out of five, and Nelson missing six out of eight. As for three-pointers attempted and made, can you say zilch, nada, or how about big goose egg? Magic were a perfect zero for nine
* Bench story: Boston’s bench counted for 14 while Orlando’s bench settled for 8 (Gortat making all three of his three attempts)
Half-time question: how do you spell out-played and out-couched? Sorry Orlando, just the way it is.
Third quarter initiation rites held true to Boston’s game plan yet Orlando came out swinging. Nelson locked a quick three-pointer, a second two-pointer, and another sinking three-pointer. In a matter of seconds, Nelson brought the game to within three… Boston negotiated for their own time out though few heard as the crowd roared, smelling the Magic’s first lead.
Back in the game, Team Boston reciprocated with a quick run of their own; pushing their meager lead back to 16 at the 6:11 mark. With a game losing ground, Orlando calls time out. The remaining of the third duplicated the first two quarters. By the end of the third, Orlando found themselves at the wrong end of a 74 to 58 score.
Time to check the third quarter temperature:
* Magic’s three point shots warmed up, finding the basket three times (okay, so it took them 16 attempts)
* Technical Two-Step: Howard and Wallace called during the third, seemed like both dancers wanted to take lead
* Lead changes: zero
* Times tied: zero
In the beginning of the final quarter, neither team gained or lost their position. With nine minutes to go, the Magic were down 14. After a quick time out, a couple three-pointers closed the gap to ten. A rowdy crowd believed anything could happen.
6:28 remaining, Magic down 71 to 85… not looking good for the home team. It was about this time J.J.Redick found his shot and after three minutes, Orlando found themselves down once again by nine. Picking up good vibrations (any Beach Boy fans out there?) from a stomping crowd, the Magic crept to within five with just under two minutes to go.
49 seconds to go, Magic down by five and with the ball. Could it be? OUCH, all net; Orlando down by three.
14 seconds and down by three, Boston takes their glasses off, scores, up by five.
12 seconds and a small line began to form toward the exit. Ray Allen at the line: first attempt, good; second attempt, all net.
6.1 seconds to go and down 88 to 92, Lewis missed a three pointer… can you say game over? I thought so.
And the walls come crumbling down but not time to panic as Vince Carter put this evening into perspective: “Time to bounce back… (tonight’s loss was) a wake up call.”
Tuesday will find a fully aware Magic team, perhaps pre-pressing a few less flexes and a few less dance steps and a heck of a lot more drive to win. From my chair, the better team won tonight.
Sitting with pen in hand and paper longing for a story, I am…
dhuffman
