Eastern Conference Semi-Final: Boston Celtics (2) vs. Orlando Magic (3)
The Celtics nearly pulled this one out after being down by 28 at one point in the third quarter, trailing after J.J. Reddick knocked down a three to make it 65-37. Orlando got solid production from a number of players in the rotation including double figures from 4 of their 5 starters and 17 points off the bench from Mickael Pietrus. They played well defensively to establish their 28 point lead, dominating from the tip to take command of this series.
However, there were a number of things that they also are will need to watch out for from the Celtics. Yes, they won the game, but Ray Allen shot 2-12 and scored 9 points in the game. That will not happen again. The Celtics looked like a team worn down from a 7 game slugfest, happy to be through to the second round and trying to find their legs. Midway through that third period it looked as if the switch turned on for the Celtics and they battled back with a chance to cut the lead to 2 points with under a minute left in the game. Sloppy play and turnovers however prevented them from any success.
Another problem that could plague the Magic is their continued dependence on shooting the three at a high percentage. When it was falling for the first two and a half quarters of game 1 the Celtics virtually had no answer. This is successful when they establish Howard in the low post and opponents have to worry about doubling. When Orlando got away from this during the Celtics comeback and began to rely solely on perimeter shooting is when they allowed the Celtics to get back in the game
The Celtics are going to need to step-up for a whole 48 minutes every game if they expect to win this series. While the Celtics fought the Bulls for seven games, through the first 5 in Orlando’s first round series, it seemed it would be the same until their Game 6 demolition of the Sixers in Philly. This Orlando team though perimeter oriented, is a well-coached, stingy defensive unit. With Howard manning the paint, the Celtics will not find points easy inside. They are going to need Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to deliver without fail in this series if they want to win. Rajon Rondo came close to a triple double yesterday, but he cannot commit 7 TO’s in a game and expect the Celtics to win.
The Celtics also must pick their places to push the tempo as they did in their series against the Bulls. This must be dictated by Rondo. If he thinks he can beat the defense up the court in transition he must do it, but he also needs to be smart and maintain his composure. The Celtics need to maximize their possessions and cannot afford stupid turnovers or empty possessions. If he has nothing, Rondo has to pull the ball out and run the Celtics’ halfcourt offense.
Where the Celtics were strong was on the glass, outrebounding the Magic 47-40. If this trend continues the Celtics’ stand a much stronger chance of prevailing in this series. With Game 6 coming on Wednesday, both teams have a lot to work on as this series progresses. I still believe that the Celtics grit and determination will see them through to the next round, though now it seems it will take another tough seven game series to get there.
Western Conference Semi-Final: L.A. Lakers (1) vs. Houston Rockets (5)
To begin with I do not think anyone should be that surprised that the Lakers dropped a game at home in this series, though I did expect it would be Game 2 and not Game 1. Their Jekyll and Hyde play throughout the regular season has persisted into the playoffs which we saw throughout their first round series against Utah where they would allow them to comeback from double digit deficits and make it close. This team, outside of the Black Mamba, seems to lack a killer instinct.
Slight hubris has also seemed to creep into their mindset and they looked lethargic throughout the game Monday night, playing with no sense of urgency against a hungry Rockets team. This team even seemed complacent in their post-game comments, with coach Phil Jackson saying his team would be fine in Game 2, in addition to Paul Gasol and Andrew Bynum complaining about the officiating. The problem in this game was neither the officiating, or a few missed shots, what it boiled down too was the outstanding defense that the Rockets played.
The Rockets forced Kobe and company into taking way too many perimeter jump shots. Gasol never established himself in the post and Bynum has continued his run of poor play throughout the playoffs. The biggest star in the series, Bryant, however was slowed down once again by his growing nemesis, Shane Battier. Battier’s hounding defense forced Bryant into taking contested jumpers everytime down the court. He made Kobe fight for his points and the Rockets defensive rotations allowed Battier to either fight over screens and rush Bryant, or go underneath them take away the rolling player to the basket and keep Bryant in front of him. All in all coach Adelman’s defensive game play worked well in Game 1 and if the Rockets hope to win this series they will need the same intensity on that side of the floor.
The other two stars on the night for the Rockets were Ron Artest and Yao Ming. Artest played cool and collected, allowing the game come to him scoring 21 points while also dishing out 7 assists and taking over from Battier at times and playing Kobe man-to-man on the defensive side of the court. While Artest let the game come to him, Yao owned this game. He had 28 points and 10 rebounds while also being presence in the paint defensively with his two blocks. What made his game so memorable however, was after suffering a knee injury in a collision with 4:34 left in the 4th quarter and the Rockets clinging to a 4 point lead. Yao would not allow the trainers to take him back to the locker room and turned around in the tunnel, check back into the game less than half a minute later, nailed a jumper and made 6 crunch time free-throws to seal the game. Often accused of being soft, Yao was a warrior Monday night battling through the pain to give the Rockets a 1-0 edge at the outset of this series.
Aaron Brooks, the point guard for Houston since they traded away Rafer Alston midway through the season, continued his strong play, constantly putting pressure on the Lakers defense and breaking it down through penetrating at will throughout the game. He scored 14 of his 19 points in the second half and torched Derek Fisher, Sasha Vujacic, Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar throughout the game. His speed, quickness and fearlessness of driving through the lane were impressive.
The Rockets played great basketball in Game 1, compounded by the Lakers worst performance so far in the playoffs led to the 1-0 deficit that L.A. now faces. Expect this to serve as a wake-up call and look for a quick start from L.A. in Game 2 on Wednesday. The key to this series is do the Lakers have the ability to constantly pick-up their intensity and maintain it for an entire 48 minutes. If not, forget the finals, they will not make it out of this round against a motivated and talented opponent.