Game 3 of the Celtics and Magic continue tonight in Orlando for what should be a nice Celtics victory. I've never been sold on Orlando and I'm still not, even though they went up by 28 in Game 1. They have talent and can shoot the rock, but they don't defend. If the Celtics can play tough defense and contests shots, they will easily win tonight.
For Orlando to win, Dwight Howard has to be dominant. We all know he's a beast, but I do not believe he consistently dominates games. Yes, he's still young and learning and does things that make us go "Holy shit," but overall I do not think he is like a Shaq or Ewing that could just take over a game at will. Also, Rashard Lewis should be able to shoot over Big Baby and drive when they switch. If he lights it up combined w/ Turkoglu (top 3 ugliest man in the NBA) shooting well, they have a chance. But they also have to attempt to play defense.
Oh wait, they have no chance b/c Rafer Alston is gay and slapped another man which resulted in a suspension. How fuckin weak is that? Here is my small tangent of the day. When I was younger we played a basketball game against this team from Needham (Sorry Bob) that we hated. While their guard was shooting a foul shot, our point guard and theirs were at half court. Before the shot went up, all you could hear was "HE SLAPPED ME! DAD HE SLAPPED ME! HE SLAPPED ME!" And then his queer father started screaming "GET OFF THE COURT! GET OUTTA THERE! GET AWAY FROM HIM!!!" Obviously no one knew what happened, but it turns out my friend literally bitch-slapped the kid right on the court. We all started laughing while his old man was trying to get him out of the gym. We ragged on our friend b/c he should have just hit him if anything. You don't normally hear of a Southie kid slapping someone else, but it was hysterical b/c this kid got bitch-slapped and ran to his father. The game stopped for 20 minutes. How could a streetball legend like skip to my lou slap another man? Are you fuckin kiddin me?
Back to the game...Rondo will play out of his mind tonight and the Celts will have a 2-1 advantage. Do you really think Anthony Johnson can guard Rondo? I expect Rondo to push the ball aggressively, drive to the basket, and get open looks for the guys running on the wings. You may see the Celts fast break all night, unless Orlando is on fire. But even so, look for Rondo to dominate and show everyone once again that he is a premiere point guard in the NBA and the future of the Celtics.
Eddie House has to be mentioned. His 31 point performance in game 2 was extremely impressive and he showed how much of an asset he can be for this team. No, he is not a true point guard. But he can play tough and provide a huge offenseive threat off the bench. Also, he comes though in the playoffs. Last year people bitched about not having a back-up point guard so they got Cassel. This year they bitched about not having a back-up point guard so they got Marbury. But Eddie House played better than Cassel last year and has played better than Marbury this year in the playoffs.
Defensively, the Celts have to push Howard off the block as best as they can. He is a different offensive player when he has the ball 4 ft from the basket as opposed to 8 feet. As for the shooters, just stick a man and have a hand up. If they hit long contested shots all night, then they deserve to win. The Celts have to switch only when necessary and rotate quickly. If not, then Lewis, Turkoglu and Reddick can get hot and this could be a high scoring game.
Yes, the Celtics were pathetic in the first half of game 1 and were down 28. But they also came back and should have won that game. In my opinion, they actually blew that game b/c they played great defense, rebounded, and attacked, but they turned it over a lot and missed shots off good looks. You never hear of a team down 28 and then blow the game. Overall the Celts are just a better team. That being said, I expect Rondo to capitalize on Alston's suspension and lead this team to a 2-1 lead in the series. advantage.
One more time. Rafer Alston is gay.
Celts 103-94
Tommy Award - Rondo
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