Orlando shows how to lose in the Playoffs, Boston a win away from Conference Finals

by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on May 13, 2009 7:22 AM CDT in 2009 NBA Playoffs

Record it and put it on sale. An instructional video on how to lose in the playoffs. Orlando has given you all the info you need to choke in the 4th quarter. Is there any other way to describe what it was the Orlando Magic did last night in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference Semi-Final with the Boston Celtics? Up 14 with 9 minutes to go, up 10 with under 6 minutes to go, the Magic completely and utterly collapsed, losing 92-88.

We are obvously watching this series with interest, since the winner will face the Cavaliers with a trip to the NBA FInals on the line. From what I have seen, both in this series, and the series prior, the Cavaliers have to be the heavy favorite. Boston has shown one thing, however, and that's guts. 3 of their 7 playoff wins have come after the team has fallen behind by double-digits. Last night, they relied on Stephon Marbury to bring them back. His 12-fourth-quarter points were the catalyst the Celtics needed when their starters once again struggled to get anything going.

Boston needed help, however, and they got it from the Magic, who have proven time and time again that they will self-destruct if you put a little pressure on them. Hell, even their fans know it, judging by the name of the SBNation-Orlando Magic Site.

Orlando should have won the series last night. A Glen Davis buzzer-beater in Game 4, followed by last night's meltdown means the Celtics can finish the series on Thursday Night in Orlando.

It is said that teams become an extension of their Head Coach. You can see it with the Cavs. They seem calm, cool and collected, even when the pressure rises, just like Mike Brown. Orlando embodies their Head Coach as well. Dazed, confused, with that confounded look on their face. That is Stan Van Gundy, and that is the Orlando Magic.

Is there any other way to explain why a team up double-digits, with one of the dominant low-post big men in the game, would not get him the ball ONCE in the final 10 minutes. Well, he did get the ball, with 9 seconds to go, DOWN 3! No, instead the Magic, over the course of the last 6 minutes, scored 3 points, commited 3 turnovers, gave up 2 offensive rebounds, and ran nothing but high-screen, isolation plays for everyone other than Dwight Howard. It just doesn't make any sense!

That has been the big question about Orlando. They have the talent, but they live and die from the perimeter. As fun as it is watchin 3-pointers rain down, they can disappear just as fast. Sure, if they are hot they can blow anyone out of the building. Get cold, however, and no lead is big enough. It is hard to maintain the hot hand for an entire half, let alone a 7-game series.

Perhaps that is why, despite the fact they are outmanned, the Celtics will likely win this series. Over 80% of you want the Cavs to face Boston. I do as well. Even with rumors swirling that the Kevin Garnett could find a way to get on the floor I think the Cavaliers match-up better with Boston and besides, Boston can't win in Cleveland, and Game 7 would be at The Q.

I wouldn't mind seeing Orlando win tomorrow to face another Game 7 for the 'Chowds. Having Boston play 14 games, while the Cavs blazed through 8 wins would be a big advantage for Cleveland. Same thing out West, where I'd like to see LA and Denver have to play a couple more games before squaring off against each other.

No matter who it is, or when, from what I have seen so far, I have to like the Cavaliers' chances.

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I did'nt get to see the entire 4th quarter but

Orlando must be completely demoralized. On top of that, Dwight Howard seemed to blame Van Gundy in the post game press conference. Love it!

I want Boston in the ECF’s, so this is great news.

So I told her," I'll be nicer if you try to be smarter!'..That was a mistake.

by Juannieboy on May 13, 2009 7:55 AM CDT reply actions

Boston's eventual presence in the ECF

just goes to show you how much the Eastern Conference sucks the Cavs’ toes. Manu’s Spurs would have sent the Celtics home crying by now, as would Yao’s Rockets and Chauncy’s Nuggets.

by WaveOcean on May 13, 2009 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions

This

was a great write-up. Interesting to read!

by RhiNo6705 on May 13, 2009 10:29 AM CDT reply actions

Thanks!

I am still stumped as to how the Magic lost last night….

FTS

FearTheSword

SBNation's Cleveland Cavaliers Blogger

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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on May 13, 2009 12:44 PM CDT reply actions

Well........

SVG may wear his emotions on his shirt sleeve but that does not mean he’s a “Dufas”, either. I don’t think much of Howards " it’s the coachs" explaination. SVG wasn’t the one shooting the ball, trying to make stops and blowing lay-ups. I think this one is on the Magic players.

So I told her," I'll be nicer if you try to be smarter!'..That was a mistake.

by Juannieboy on May 13, 2009 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions

John Hollinger at ESPN.com has a good article about Howard’s comments. He shows that Howard hasn’t really done enough offensively to deserve that many touches, so maybe he should start playing better before he demands the ball. He hasn’t been able to score on Kendrick Perkins all series.

by Buckeye Brad on May 13, 2009 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions

I think you got something Juannieboy......

To tell you the truth I don’t blame SVG one bit for not getting the ball to Howard late in the game, especially against the Celtics….he is an inconsistent free throw shooter(though he HAS gotten better). But we all know what the Celtics will defer to late in a game with a poor foul shooter on the floor….hack him (big ben during the regular season game). And this would make Howard make his foul shots. SVG drew up plays, the players just did not execute them well AT ALL and the inbounds pass is the perfect example of this. SVG had more likely than not just told the Magic players what play to run out of the inbounds, but they were confused and blew it and threw it to Howard because they had no choice. ALMOST totally on the players on this one. They were cold.
I WILL say this however on SVG. One of the jobs of the coach is to use timeouts in a smart manner. So when the Magic are up 10 and then 8…6…4…and finally 2 and THEN SVG calls a timeout…that’s bad coaching. Call timeouts to stop runs, not after they have already started.

by NBA FAN on May 13, 2009 4:19 PM CDT reply actions

Let KG come back....

Personally I don’t think KG will come back…and if he does…I am not in the least bit worried. He has spent MONTHS out of his uniform, do you really think he will mesh right back into the system in a matter of games? I don’t. He’s been out WAY too long and to tell you the truth I think it would be stupid for KG to come back if he plans to have a career after this year. His injury is one that requires surgery, either now or later. If you decide to play on an injury like that the chances of making if worse are huge! If he comes back, it might be the big 2 for the celtics next year.

by NBA FAN on May 13, 2009 4:26 PM CDT reply actions