Boston Backed Up in Must Win

The Boston Celtics came out flatter than a single nine-inch round pancake against Orlando and paid the price. They could be excused for being fatigued after strenuous seven game series against Chicago, which had them go way beyond the call of duty, having to play seven overtime periods. One problem with this thought process, this is the NBA playoffs and the idea is to win four games in series and move on or considered to be loser of sorts and be sent home.

Orlando at one point of the series first game owned a 28-point lead and only as the New York Mets could do; they gave virtually all of it back in 95-90 survival game. The Magic have proven they are not Tiger Woods with a lead, having blown four leads of 15 or more points in seven playoff games this year, yet finding them selves in time to win three of those contests.

Even the Orlando players were not thrilled with outcome. “Even though we won the game, everybody’s making it seem like it was a disaster game,” said Magic forward Rashard Lewis. “We were highly upset in the locker room after our win, so that kind of shows you that we’re hungry.”

Nevertheless, Orlando continues to treat home teams like prisoners, having them extradited to the loss column time and again with 30-15 record, which includes a dazzling 29 covers.

Boston is 7-1 ATS following a spread loss and while some make take comfort in huge comeback by Celtics, don’t count coach Doc Rivers among them. “I look at last night as a loss. That’s more important to me than the fact that we had a fool’s gold run at the end of the game. That didn’t do it for me. That meant nothing.” –Rivers stated.

The Celtics have now lost three consecutive games to Orlando and is 20-8 ATS when playing with triple revenge, though the margin of victory has only been 2.5-points per game. Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo in particular have to be ready from center tap and be aggressive on shot-making and defense. Boston has to challenge Dwight Howard and see if they can make him take a couple of bad fouls, opening up their offense. On defense, they are not the same without Kevin Garnett on the floor; however that doesn’t preclude them of putting more effort and taking record to 32-14 ATS revenging a home loss vs opponent over the last three seasons.

Coach Stan Van Gundy probably wishes he could save all his timeouts for the fourth quarter to remind his players the 7’0 dude with the broad shoulders is on their team. Once teams start making runs at the Magic, who has the lead, they act like Dwight Howard is being quadrupled-teamed and hoist one silly three-pointer after another that becomes a defensive rebound going the other way.

Howard wiped the glass clean for 22 rebounds in the opener, but his 16 points were a function of lack of touches. Keep Howard involved and Orlando moves to 10-0 ATS in road games versus good shooting teams making 48 percent or more of their shots.

The oddsmakers at DiamondSports.com didn’t budge off same opening line of Boston favored by 2.5-points, however the wagering public has offered a few Franklin’s to force change line. In Game 1, sports bettors moved Orlando down to 1.5 point underdogs by game time. Tonight, they see the opposite occurring and have raised Boston up to four-point pick.

TNT will provide Game 2 coverage, with the dog barking ferociously with four covers in a row.