The Orlando Magic have already made history. Following a Game 5 beat down of the Boston Celtics, the Magic have forced a Game 6 against a team that has never even allowed a series to go past a fifth game after leading 3-0.
There is more history to be made, however. No team in the history of the NBA has come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series. It has happened 93 times, and not a single team has ever been able to conquer the incredible feat. A week ago, a four-game sweep appeared imminent for the defending Eastern Conference Champions. Now, after two impressive wins, Orlando is only trailing the 7-game series 3-2 heading back to Boston for Game 6.
Of course, there is still room for improvement and the Magic need a flawless performance to win on the road in Boston. The Celtics have a commanding 6-2 record at home in the Boston Garden during the 2010 playoffs. The Magic, on the other hand, have proven that they can win consistently on the road, compiling a 5-1 record already this postseason. This series is turning into a very similar depiction of what occurred in the playoffs last year between these two teams. In 2009, Orlando had to win at home and again on the road in Boston in Game 7 to clinch their spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. Much more is on the line this year. The Magic have the opportunity to do something incredible. Something epic. Something that will be remembered forever as the biggest comeback in the history of the NBA.
Orlando has all of the momentum now but Magic head coach, Stan Van Gundy, refuses to settle with that. “I don’t know if you can say you have momentum when you’re down 3-2 going into their place,” Van Gundy said. “I think momentum is overrated. I still look at it like we’re climbing a huge mountain here. But we are playing better.”
It’s about time.
The Magic are finally starting to hit on all cylinders like they were able to do in the first two series against Charlotte and Atlanta. The defense of the Celtics stifled the Magic attack in the first three games, limiting them to less than 100 points a game. Game 5 was a different story. Orlando came out firing and finished with 113 points and an astounding 13-25 (52.2%) from the 3-point line. The Celtics record this postseason when allowing their opponent to score over 100 points: 0-4.
Perhaps the bigger story behind Orlando’s success the past two games has been the dominating play of big man, Dwight Howard. Howard registered his 6th double-double in the 2010 playoffs in Game 5 with 21 points and 10 rebounds. He also registered 5 blocked shots in the game. The Magic have not lost in the postseason when “Superman” records a double-double. He has been an absolute monster in the paint. His physicality and toughness have caused all sorts of issues for the Celtics’ defenders. So much so that two of the Boston big men, Glen “Big Baby” Davis and Marquis Daniels, suffered concussions in Game 6 and did not return.
Magic point guard, Jameer Nelson, also continued to show his leadership with another outstanding performance on Wednesday night. Nelson scored a team-high 24 points on 6-10 shooting along with four 3-pointers. He also managed to record five assists and five rebounds. Stan Van Gundy was certainly impressed by the play of Nelson and Howard. He had been looking for that kind of leadership throughout the series to this point. “People talk all the time about leadership and guys talking in the locker room and all of that,” said the Magic coach. “I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that, but what leads your teammates is playing that hard, and people follow along.”
The rest of the Magic team undoubtedly followed along. Six different Orlando players sank a 3-point shot in Game 5. Four players finished in double figures. Every guy that received playing time scored.
Bench points are a huge issue for the Magic. J.J. Redick (14 points), Mickael Pietrus (8 points), and Brandon Bass (8 points), have all put up huge numbers coming off the bench. Redick has been a bright spot throughout the series in replacement of Vince Carter, who has managed to disappear in this series. Carter was expected to be the go-to guy this year for the Magic due to the fact that they released Hedo Turkoglu following last season. His lack of results has put a spotlight on Redick and given him the opportunity to play in crucial moments of the game. Carter needs to step it up in Game 6 if the Magic hope to pull off another improbable road victory. Look for Stan Van Gundy to continue to give these bench players, along with Marcin Gortat and Jason Williams, more opportunities for playing time if they perform.
Rashard Lewis has managed to break through the terrific defense of Kevin Garnett in the past two games, scoring 13 points in Game 4 and 14 in Game 5. Unfortunately for Lewis, he has been hindered by a viral infection that has forced him to take IV fluids before each game this series. The Magic need scoring from Rashard. His 15 total points in the first three games aren’t going to cut it. He has to continue to force the issue in the low post and knock down the 3-point shot when he is open.
Of course, much hinders on the play of the Celtics at home. They are loaded with injuries to their big men, including Rasheed Wallace (back), Glen Davis and Marquis Daniels (concussions). All are expected to play in Game 6 but nobody knows how much of an effect these injuries will have. Not only that, but foul trouble has plagued the Celtics in the last two games. Kendrick Perkins received two technical fouls in Game 5 and was ejected. The NBA has since rescinded one of the fouls, so he will be available for Game 6 in Boston.
The big four: Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, will look to sharpen the Boston attack and make better decisions against the pick-and-roll offense of the Magic. Rondo is the key. He has to be a force in driving to the basket to open up shots for other players. He was very aggressive in the first three games but his fatigue seems to be wearing him down as of late. As for Garnett, he is the true emotional leader of the Celtics. He has to be the leader in this game if they expect to shut down the Magic and move on to the finals.
So here it is. A battle for the ages. Game 6 in Beantown. A win for the Magic would spell home court advantage in a winner-take-all Game 7 on Sunday. The Celtics absolutely have to look at this game as their last chance to win the series. Losing again would send the Magic back home to Orlando with all the confidence in the world that they are going to win. If the Magic can continue to play their brand of basketball and get an early lead in Boston, the nerves of all the Celtics players may spell doom. The Boston fans are already nervous enough after watching their beloved Bruins fall in an NHL playoff series against Philadelphia earlier this month after leading 3-0. Can the Magic make the same historic comeback never before accomplished in the NBA?
“We just all believe,” Nelson said. “We all believe. We know we can do it.”
So go out there and do it. Bring a Game 7 back to the city of Orlando. This is your chance to make history.
“I think all the pressure’s on them,” Magic forward Matt Barnes said. “They’ve been talking about a sweep and this and that and looking forward to playing the Lakers and everything. We’re staying within ourselves, and if we can come out and put the kind of effort forth that we’re allowed to, then we’re going to have a good chance to win. So, we’re going back to Boston on a business trip. But if we get it back to Game 7 in Orlando, they’re in trouble.”
