« Will Dwight's 'Call Out' Work in Cs Favor? | Main | CelticsStuffLive Game 6 Postgame Podcap w/Yours Truly »
May 15, 2009
Celtics Miss Opportunity to Close: Lose 83-75
In a game neither team seemed to want, the Celtics missed numerous opportunities to forge a big lead and close out the Orlando Magic. I guess that would be just too easy for this team.
The Magic did all they could to cooperate by missing numerous open shots and shooting just .366% for the night, including 6 for 26 from the three point line. The Celtics said, okay, then we'll turn the ball over 19 times, and shoot 3 for 18 from the three point line.
Winning three in a row? That's just not us.
The important differences in the game were turnovers, better defense by the Magic, and a foul shooting disparity of 31-13 attempts in favor of the Magic.
A rough game shooting by Ray, Paul, and Glen put pressure on Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo to fill in the missing offense. They did their best, but it wasn't enough. Perkins finished with 15 points on 7 of 11 shooting, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
Brian Scalabrine shot well (7 points on 3 of 7 shooting) and made the team's only other three point shot. Rashard Lewis did abuse him a bit in the post.
Though not textbook efficient, Rajon Rondo did all that he could to put the Celtics on his back with playoff level energy. He had all of the team's three steals in the first half, and finished with an amazing playoff career high16 rebounds. He also led the Celtics in scoring with 19 points on 8 of 19 shooting.
For a long while Rondo was the team's only outside threat with multiple jumpers, including (blink blink) two three pointers. He had missed his last 12 attempts from the arc and was shooting just 21% for the playoffs from downtown.
Ray Allen just could not get untracked, going 0-7 for from downtown and 2 for 11 for the game. Generally well defended, he also missed the more open opportunities he had. Shades of year's playoffs, Ray is in another major long distance slump . He is 2 for his last 22 attempts from the three point arc.
Perkins (5), Rondo (5) and Ray (4) had 14 of the Celtics' 19 turnovers.
Eddie House finished with just 6 points, but did not even get to attempt his bread and butter shot. The Magic have defensed him well of late, largely with Courtney Lee.
In a reversal from the previous game, the Celtics and Magic played even for three quarters and the Celtics fell apart in the fourth.
Fourth Quarter Meltdown
The Green Machine sputtered to just 13 points, on 6 for 18 shooting (33%), had 5 turnovers, had a single assist, and were blocked twice. The Magic scored just 22 points on 6 of 27 shooting but 14 free throw attempts in that quarter alone (more than the Celtics had for the game), making 8 of them.
Dwight Howard had a big game numbers wise as we might have expected. But it was his defensive presence that was far more important, His output was a gaudy 17 rebounds and 22 points after three periods, but his team was losing by one to the Celtics 62-61.
Equal Futility
The Celtics, being held to 26 points in the paint on a night when they couldn't hit from the outside, yet managed to maintained a slim lead until late, spoke to the equal futility of their opponent.
The score would indicate that defense ruled. That would be a half truth. Though the shooting percentages suggest otherwise, Orlando's defense was better overall. The highly vocal center of attention after the last loss, Dwight Howard, was far more important defensively than offensively. Dwight blocked three shots, changed many more, and deterred yet others from even trying.
If anything, this series and Kendrick Perkin's fine play is exposing Howard's offensive shortcomings. Dwight got his touches, but does not have the refined moves to really exploit his strength and athletic abilities. Defensively, he can strike fear into even the best players. The Celtics missed a number of lay ups by just worrying about where he was.
Rashard Lewis supported with 20 points and 9 rebounds, though he also was unable to hit from the arc (0-4).
The Celtics wasted solid performances by Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins and let this one slip away due to tough shooting by Ray Allen, a bad game by Glen Davis, and a tough shooting night by Pierce.
Glen Davis, the hero of the last two games was in foul trouble all night and seemed to be able to do very little right.
Paul almost revived his own moribund shooting performance to save the Celtics' day with 6 straight points on three straight shots in the fourth. He put the Celtics back in the lead at 73-72 after being down by at 72-67.
In fact, the Magic weren't able to grab their first lead until 8:38 left in the game on a Rashard Lewis jump shot. The Celtics led or were tied from the opening bell. But it wasn't for lack of chances. Neither team shot well, though Orlando shot extremely poorly.
Much of it was their own fault. The Celtics left many open shooters that just did not knock down the shot. The Magic were begging to be put out of their misery. The Celtics decided not to cooperate.
If there is a team that can't stand success, it is this season's Celtics. I must make the prerequisite manadatory statement that I love this team and what they are doing with a depleted roster and often struggling bench.
Their heart is without question. Their game to game performances are another thing altogether. With less help from the reseves than hoped for, playing all those minutes does have some effect whether they want to admit it or not.
Game 7 is Sunday in Boston.
Posted by Tom on May 15, 2009 12:33 AM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://forum.connpost.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/3321
Comments
"a foul shooting disparity of 31-13"
When I saw Dick Bavetta, I knew. The league wanted a game seven for Sunday night.
Still, the Magic almost couldn't take the gift, missing more free throws (14) than the C's took.
Part of the turnover disparity stems from one team being allowed to play intense defense while the other is not.
"What's good for M&M is good for you."
Posted by: JB at May 15, 2009 6:57 AM
Query: when Pierce hits a few shots.... puts his head down and stops passing, does it always stagnate the offense and leave our other players flat footed; on defense, in rebounding action and going after loose balls?
I know it's an oversimplification and I was as thrilled as anyone when he scored the quick six in the fourth, but.......
Posted by: JB at May 15, 2009 7:43 AM
Well, apparently there weren't too many other options working either.
And yes, when a team's main scorer is trying to get something going, I would say that the rest just generally clear out for him.
Not the most creative of possibilities, I know. I was more surprised when he stopped after his miss.
Just don't know what to say about this team.
Tom
Posted by: Tom Halzack at May 15, 2009 8:50 AM
"Just don't know what to say about this team.
Tom"
LOl
Well, you always manage something........
I will go out on a limb and predict the extra day rest will work wonders for Rondo's ailing ankles, Perkin's shoulder and Pierce's undisclosed aches and pains.
Farther out on that limb...... Garnett will shuck those "percy" suits and drive the Gahden faithful into a frenzy for game 3 against the Cavs after the C's steal one of the first two in the "city of the burning lake."
Posted by: JB at May 16, 2009 6:08 AM
Those are some interesting speculations.
At this point, I admit that I am not completely confident of game 7.
The Celtics mystify me this post season. But they usually play good after playing bad...and they are home...and this is game 7, something they are good at.
Hey, I guess I do have a few things to say.
T
Posted by: Tom Halzack at May 16, 2009 4:38 PM
