By Ros Krasny
BOSTON (Reuters) - The Boston Celtics tightened their grip on the Eastern Conference finals with a crushing 94-71 win over the Orlando Magic on Saturday.
The Celtics lead the best-of-seven series 3-0 and could wrap up a trip to the NBA finals as soon as Monday on home court.
"They're playing hard, they're playing together, they're playing like a team that wants to win a championship," Orlando center Dwight Howard told reporters.
Fielding a starting lineup of battle-tested veterans, the Celtics are hoping to reproduce the form that helped them to a 17th NBA title in 2008.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers, however, downplayed comparisons.
"We haven't scratched what we did in '08," Rivers told reporters.
Six Celtics reached double figures in the team's sixth consecutive playoff win. Forward Glen Davis top-scored with 17 points off the bench, while forward Paul Pierce added 15 points and guard Ray Allen 14.
"It's unselfish basketball," said Rivers. "We keep talking about letting the ball find the open guy. You don't have to find it yourself." Continue reading
Game Recap
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Down 2-0, this Magic act is finished Orlando plays harder and better, but still can’t beat Celtics
Showing posts with label orlando magic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label orlando magic. Show all posts
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Down 2-0, this Magic act is finished Orlando plays harder and better, but still can’t beat Celtics
By Mike Celizic
NBCSports.com
The Orlando Magic played harder Tuesday and they played better. And they still couldn’t beat the Boston Celtics.
So, even though all things are possible, some are more possible than others, and a comeback by the Magic isn’t one of them. They’re down 0-2 and going on the road against a veteran team of champions.
It’s over.
You don’t lose the first two at home in the NBA conference finals and come back to win the series. You can do that in hockey and baseball, but you can’t do it in basketball unless you’re a great, great team, and Orlando does not meet that description.
The only thing that can save Orlando now is a miracle, and it would have to be a good one, too, something biblical, and none of that New Testament stuff. No, this calls for a fire-and-brimstone, sun-standing-still-in-the-sky Old Testament miracle. Or two.
That makes an Orlando comeback as likely as Sarah Palin declaring her undying love of Keith Olbermann or a border collie swearing off chasing Frisbies. Continue reading here...
GAME Recap from NBA.com
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Celtics smother Magic 92-88, take 1-0 series lead
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Celtics smother Magic 92-88, take 1-0 series lead
By ANTONIO GONZALEZ (AP)
ORLANDO, Fla. — The hair is a little grayer. The ankles and knees no longer so sturdy. Even with a roster full of aging superstars, the Boston Celtics are still standing tall.
Too old to chase a title? Not these days.
Ray Allen scored 25 points, Paul Pierce had 22 and the Celtics used smothering defense to beat the Orlando Magic 92-88 on Sunday in the Eastern Conference finals opener.
Hampered by injuries, the Celtics literally limped their way through parts of the regular season. All that seems a distant memory now.
"I honestly say we lost ourselves," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "I think we've found ourselves again."
Rasheed Wallace added 13 points as the Celtics built a 20-point lead, then held on late to snap Orlando's 14-game winning streak. They held the Magic to 41 percent shooting — 22 percent from 3-point range — in displaying that rough and tough defense that was once their staple.
"There were stretches in the season, we know each other so well now, where we were becoming less patient with each other," Allen said. "We were getting on each other a little too much. We can take it, but we respected each other.
"When we started the playoffs, we said teams are going to hit us, they're going to attack us. But when somebody scores on us, which they will, we go get the ball out and come back."
Vince Carter had 23 points and Jameer Nelson finished with 20 for Orlando, which cut the lead to two in the final seconds but simply ran out of time, looking rusty after a six-day layoff. Dwight Howard was limited to 13 points and 12 rebounds, nowhere near the dominant force the Magic need to win a title.
Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Tuesday night in Orlando.
"I don't think it was rusty. Just anxious," Howard said. "We dug ourselves a hole, and it was tough to get back from." Continue reading here
NBA TV Game recap
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NBA Conference Finals is here - watch it live
ORLANDO, Fla. — The hair is a little grayer. The ankles and knees no longer so sturdy. Even with a roster full of aging superstars, the Boston Celtics are still standing tall.
Too old to chase a title? Not these days.
Ray Allen scored 25 points, Paul Pierce had 22 and the Celtics used smothering defense to beat the Orlando Magic 92-88 on Sunday in the Eastern Conference finals opener.
Hampered by injuries, the Celtics literally limped their way through parts of the regular season. All that seems a distant memory now.
"I honestly say we lost ourselves," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "I think we've found ourselves again."
Rasheed Wallace added 13 points as the Celtics built a 20-point lead, then held on late to snap Orlando's 14-game winning streak. They held the Magic to 41 percent shooting — 22 percent from 3-point range — in displaying that rough and tough defense that was once their staple.
"There were stretches in the season, we know each other so well now, where we were becoming less patient with each other," Allen said. "We were getting on each other a little too much. We can take it, but we respected each other.
"When we started the playoffs, we said teams are going to hit us, they're going to attack us. But when somebody scores on us, which they will, we go get the ball out and come back."
Vince Carter had 23 points and Jameer Nelson finished with 20 for Orlando, which cut the lead to two in the final seconds but simply ran out of time, looking rusty after a six-day layoff. Dwight Howard was limited to 13 points and 12 rebounds, nowhere near the dominant force the Magic need to win a title.
Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Tuesday night in Orlando.
"I don't think it was rusty. Just anxious," Howard said. "We dug ourselves a hole, and it was tough to get back from." Continue reading here
NBA TV Game recap
Related Article(s):
NBA Conference Finals is here - watch it live
NBA Conference Finals is here - watch it live
Four NBA teams are left. Who will advance to the NBA Finals? It will start today 3:30PM ET, Boston Celtics against Orlando Magic.
Celtics vs Magic
Magic has the home court advantage all through out the playoffs(even in NBA finals) because they have the second best record in the NBA regular season. But Celtics proved that they don't need home court advantage to win a series. The Celtics dumped the Cavaliers 4-2 while the Magic gave no mercy in sweeping the Atlanta Hawks of their own series.
For Orlando to win this series, their shooters should play well to free up the interior defence of the Celtics. Dwight Howard will really have a hard time because Kevin Garnet is healthy. Lets watch out for this two.
For Boston, I think they have the advantage because of experience and the good news for them is their Big Three are all healthy. But I still believe that Rajon Rondo is still the catalyst of this team. He should play well like what he did in the Cavaliers series.
Prediction: Celtics 4-2
Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns
Lakers reached the Conference finals for the third straight year. They swept the Utah Jazz and the Suns swept the Spurs also. Suns pick-n-roll offense will be in trouble because the Lakers has the formula to stop it(look what they did in Jazz series). But Steve Nash will be the main catalyst of the Suns, he should distribute the ball well and be aggressive in defense.
For the Lakers, they should tighten their defense and cover all the shooters well. Lakers have all the advantage especially their twin towers. This series is fun to watch and the Lakers are very eager to revenge their playoffs losses to the Suns. Kobe Bryant will still be the go to guy of the Lakers.
Prediction: Lakers 4-1
Watch the NBA Conference Final Games at NBA TODAY
Celtics vs Magic
Magic has the home court advantage all through out the playoffs(even in NBA finals) because they have the second best record in the NBA regular season. But Celtics proved that they don't need home court advantage to win a series. The Celtics dumped the Cavaliers 4-2 while the Magic gave no mercy in sweeping the Atlanta Hawks of their own series.
For Orlando to win this series, their shooters should play well to free up the interior defence of the Celtics. Dwight Howard will really have a hard time because Kevin Garnet is healthy. Lets watch out for this two.
For Boston, I think they have the advantage because of experience and the good news for them is their Big Three are all healthy. But I still believe that Rajon Rondo is still the catalyst of this team. He should play well like what he did in the Cavaliers series.
Prediction: Celtics 4-2
Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns
Lakers reached the Conference finals for the third straight year. They swept the Utah Jazz and the Suns swept the Spurs also. Suns pick-n-roll offense will be in trouble because the Lakers has the formula to stop it(look what they did in Jazz series). But Steve Nash will be the main catalyst of the Suns, he should distribute the ball well and be aggressive in defense.
For the Lakers, they should tighten their defense and cover all the shooters well. Lakers have all the advantage especially their twin towers. This series is fun to watch and the Lakers are very eager to revenge their playoffs losses to the Suns. Kobe Bryant will still be the go to guy of the Lakers.
Prediction: Lakers 4-1
Watch the NBA Conference Final Games at NBA TODAY
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Thunder roars in Oklahoma while Lakers hide.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Series: Tied 2-2
The Lakers handle the Thunder lightly and they paid the price by loosing to the Thunder, 110-89. Kevin Durant once again over played Kobe Bryant by scoring 22 points to lead all scorer.
"A lot of people didn't expect us to be here and then we got here a lot of people thought we'd get swept," Thunder star Kevin Durant told reporters. "It's all on us now, we just have to keep working hard."
Atlanta Hawks vs Milwaukee Bucks
Series: Hawks leads series 2-1
John Salmons scored 22 points and carried the Bucks over the Hawks, 107-89. Bucks took command early and never look up. Kurt Tomas played well tonight, he is the replacement of Bogut in the starting line-up. He corralled 13 boards and made all his 4 shots to tally 8 points.
"I could probably start with a lot of guys but Kurt was great," Bucks coach Scott Skiles said. "He plugged up the middle for us, knocked down his shot, moved the ball around, boarded it. He was really active tonight.
"It's no secret the first couple of games they owned us in the paint, and we were able to take a couple of things away from them tonight."
Orlando Magic vs Charlotte Bobcats
Series: Orlando leads 3-0
Bobcats first playoff home game ends with a loss. Nelson scored 32 points and matched his season high. Orlando needs only a win to advance.
"Jameer dominated the game again," Charlotte coach Larry Brown said. "His points in the first quarter were special, but I thought the last eight minutes of the game he was phenomenal. He's been phenomenal the whole series, and when you get in the playoffs your best players have to step up and he certainly has."
The Bobcats felt they had every opportunity to pick up their first playoff win, but were never able to capitalize on Howard's foul issues.
Phoenix Suns vs Portland Trail Blazers
Series: Tied 2-2
Brandon Roy surprised Phoenix by returning in the playoffs after a knee surgery and helps the Blaizers tie the series, 96-87.
"Having Brandon back helps tremendously," Aldridge said. The Suns "can't do some of the things they did to us early (in the series) with Brandon out there."
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Series: Tied 2-2
The Lakers handle the Thunder lightly and they paid the price by loosing to the Thunder, 110-89. Kevin Durant once again over played Kobe Bryant by scoring 22 points to lead all scorer.
"A lot of people didn't expect us to be here and then we got here a lot of people thought we'd get swept," Thunder star Kevin Durant told reporters. "It's all on us now, we just have to keep working hard."
Atlanta Hawks vs Milwaukee Bucks
Series: Hawks leads series 2-1
John Salmons scored 22 points and carried the Bucks over the Hawks, 107-89. Bucks took command early and never look up. Kurt Tomas played well tonight, he is the replacement of Bogut in the starting line-up. He corralled 13 boards and made all his 4 shots to tally 8 points.
"I could probably start with a lot of guys but Kurt was great," Bucks coach Scott Skiles said. "He plugged up the middle for us, knocked down his shot, moved the ball around, boarded it. He was really active tonight.
"It's no secret the first couple of games they owned us in the paint, and we were able to take a couple of things away from them tonight."
Orlando Magic vs Charlotte Bobcats
Series: Orlando leads 3-0
Bobcats first playoff home game ends with a loss. Nelson scored 32 points and matched his season high. Orlando needs only a win to advance.
"Jameer dominated the game again," Charlotte coach Larry Brown said. "His points in the first quarter were special, but I thought the last eight minutes of the game he was phenomenal. He's been phenomenal the whole series, and when you get in the playoffs your best players have to step up and he certainly has."
The Bobcats felt they had every opportunity to pick up their first playoff win, but were never able to capitalize on Howard's foul issues.
Phoenix Suns vs Portland Trail Blazers
Series: Tied 2-2
Brandon Roy surprised Phoenix by returning in the playoffs after a knee surgery and helps the Blaizers tie the series, 96-87.
"Having Brandon back helps tremendously," Aldridge said. The Suns "can't do some of the things they did to us early (in the series) with Brandon out there."
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Thursday, March 25, 2010
NBA Round Up: Josh Smith buzzer beater
Josh Smith buzzer beater dunk carries Atlanta Hawks past Orlando Magic 86-84
Atlanta Hawks clinched their third straight trip to the playoffs. Thanks to the buzzer beater dunk of Josh Smith. Officialls review it and the dunk went in with 0.01 seconds remaining.
“I knew it was close,” Smith said. “I just crashed it. I looked and the ball was there. Joe’s a good shooter, and I knew it wouldn’t be much off.”
Atlanta snapped a six-game losing streak against the Magic dating back to the opener of the 2008-09 season.
Charlotte Bobcats rout Minesota Timberwolves 108-95
Jackson hit 4 of 6 from the three point line and scored 37 points to help the Bobcats. Jackson revealed that he was being bothered by a bruised ligament in his left index fingers.
Al Jefferson led the Timberwolves, 26 points and they end their road trip this season with a disappointing 5-32 record.
Wizards loss 13th straight
Danny Granger scored 31 points to help the Indiana Pacers hand Washington Wizards its 13th straight game loss. The last time the Wizards won was against New Jersey Nets last Feb 28, 2010.
Coach Flip Saunders response about their consecutive losses.
“I don’t think our guys are looking at that,” he said. “We’re looking at trying to be competitive and look ahead. The reason we’re getting beat right now is because other teams are better than us. We’re not very good right now.”
Utah Jazz beats Toronto Raptors 113-87
The Raptors experienced their second straight game blowout loss at home. Deron Williams helps the Jazz with his 18 points and 16 assists. Raptors missed the service of Hedo Turkoglo in the second half due to stomach virus.
Celtics back in the playoffs
The Boston Celtics beat the Denver Nuggets 113-99 and clinched their playoffs spot. Paul Pierce lead the Boston Celtics with 27 points. Pierce rebounded from the 5 points performance against the Denver last Feb. 21.
“The Paul Pierce you saw out in Denver wasn’t the Paul Pierce that usually shows up to play,” he said. “Right now I’m as healthy as I’ve been all year and this is our time to start playing well.”
New Jersey Nets Win
Lopez helps Nets in their quest to avoid the stigma as the NBA's worst team. Lopez scored 26 points and carried the team, beating the Sacramento Kings 93-79.
Philadelphia 76ers beats Milwaukee Bucks 101-86
Rokie Jrue Holiday scored 15 points and had seven assists as the Sixers stun the Bucks.
Thunder beats Rockets 122-104
James Harden returned in the lineup for the Thunder after two weeks of absence. He help the Thunder with his 23 points, together with Durant who scored 25 points carried the Thunder over the Rockets.
“I just wanted to come out and get my swag back like it was before I left,” said Harden, who had his fourth 20-point game of the season and his first since Dec. 7
Cavs slip past over Hornets 105-92
Behind the good performance of Lebron James, the Cavs beat the Hornest and stays at the top of NBA standing. James scored 38 points on 15 of 22 shooting. He even turned his left ankle in the final seconds of the first half. At the second half, he started and did not show any sign of ill effect.
“LeBron’s 6-8, and if you double team him, he’s going to throw over the defense. He can definitely see over the defense,” Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. “He can burn you either way. LeBron had an outstanding game but the guys around him played extremely well feeding off of the double teams … and the attention that he drew.”
Lakers won over Spurs 92-83
Behind Kobe Bryant 24 points, as the Lakers win seven straight. Artest also played a good defense in the second half that triggers the Lakers offense.
Manu Ginobili scored 24 points in a losing cause for the Spurs.
Warriors won over Grizzlies 128-110
Stephen Curry scored 30 points and the Warriors spoils Grizzlies bid of a playoff spot. He also had 11 assists. Grizzlies Zach Randolph scored 16 points but left the ball game in the third quarter with a sore ankle.
source
Atlanta Hawks clinched their third straight trip to the playoffs. Thanks to the buzzer beater dunk of Josh Smith. Officialls review it and the dunk went in with 0.01 seconds remaining.
“I knew it was close,” Smith said. “I just crashed it. I looked and the ball was there. Joe’s a good shooter, and I knew it wouldn’t be much off.”
Atlanta snapped a six-game losing streak against the Magic dating back to the opener of the 2008-09 season.
Charlotte Bobcats rout Minesota Timberwolves 108-95
Jackson hit 4 of 6 from the three point line and scored 37 points to help the Bobcats. Jackson revealed that he was being bothered by a bruised ligament in his left index fingers.
Al Jefferson led the Timberwolves, 26 points and they end their road trip this season with a disappointing 5-32 record.
Wizards loss 13th straight
Danny Granger scored 31 points to help the Indiana Pacers hand Washington Wizards its 13th straight game loss. The last time the Wizards won was against New Jersey Nets last Feb 28, 2010.
Coach Flip Saunders response about their consecutive losses.
“I don’t think our guys are looking at that,” he said. “We’re looking at trying to be competitive and look ahead. The reason we’re getting beat right now is because other teams are better than us. We’re not very good right now.”
Utah Jazz beats Toronto Raptors 113-87
The Raptors experienced their second straight game blowout loss at home. Deron Williams helps the Jazz with his 18 points and 16 assists. Raptors missed the service of Hedo Turkoglo in the second half due to stomach virus.
Celtics back in the playoffs
The Boston Celtics beat the Denver Nuggets 113-99 and clinched their playoffs spot. Paul Pierce lead the Boston Celtics with 27 points. Pierce rebounded from the 5 points performance against the Denver last Feb. 21.
“The Paul Pierce you saw out in Denver wasn’t the Paul Pierce that usually shows up to play,” he said. “Right now I’m as healthy as I’ve been all year and this is our time to start playing well.”
New Jersey Nets Win
Lopez helps Nets in their quest to avoid the stigma as the NBA's worst team. Lopez scored 26 points and carried the team, beating the Sacramento Kings 93-79.
Philadelphia 76ers beats Milwaukee Bucks 101-86
Rokie Jrue Holiday scored 15 points and had seven assists as the Sixers stun the Bucks.
Thunder beats Rockets 122-104
James Harden returned in the lineup for the Thunder after two weeks of absence. He help the Thunder with his 23 points, together with Durant who scored 25 points carried the Thunder over the Rockets.
“I just wanted to come out and get my swag back like it was before I left,” said Harden, who had his fourth 20-point game of the season and his first since Dec. 7
Cavs slip past over Hornets 105-92
Behind the good performance of Lebron James, the Cavs beat the Hornest and stays at the top of NBA standing. James scored 38 points on 15 of 22 shooting. He even turned his left ankle in the final seconds of the first half. At the second half, he started and did not show any sign of ill effect.
“LeBron’s 6-8, and if you double team him, he’s going to throw over the defense. He can definitely see over the defense,” Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. “He can burn you either way. LeBron had an outstanding game but the guys around him played extremely well feeding off of the double teams … and the attention that he drew.”
Lakers won over Spurs 92-83
Behind Kobe Bryant 24 points, as the Lakers win seven straight. Artest also played a good defense in the second half that triggers the Lakers offense.
Manu Ginobili scored 24 points in a losing cause for the Spurs.
Warriors won over Grizzlies 128-110
Stephen Curry scored 30 points and the Warriors spoils Grizzlies bid of a playoff spot. He also had 11 assists. Grizzlies Zach Randolph scored 16 points but left the ball game in the third quarter with a sore ankle.
source
Thursday, February 11, 2010
James sparks Cavs to franchise-tying 13th straight win
CLEVELAND (Reuters) - LeBron James put up 32 points and 13 assists to propel the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 115-106 win over the Orlando Magic on Thursday, tying a franchise record with their 13th straight victory.
The league's reigning MVP spearheaded the fourth-quarter surge which decided the game.
The Cavaliers trailed by two with 7:31 left before James scored or assisted on five straight baskets during an 11-0 run that sunk the Magic.
Cleveland (43-11) matched the win streak it set last season while winning a second straight against Orlando (36-18) in a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Final.
Dwight Howard had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Rashard Lewis added 19 for the Magic, who trailed for the majority of the first half before turning the game into a nip-and-tuck affair.
Orlando topped the Cavaliers 4-2 in the best-of-seven playoff series last May but currently trail their NBA-best foe by seven games.
source:reuters.com
The league's reigning MVP spearheaded the fourth-quarter surge which decided the game.
The Cavaliers trailed by two with 7:31 left before James scored or assisted on five straight baskets during an 11-0 run that sunk the Magic.
Cleveland (43-11) matched the win streak it set last season while winning a second straight against Orlando (36-18) in a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Final.
Dwight Howard had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Rashard Lewis added 19 for the Magic, who trailed for the majority of the first half before turning the game into a nip-and-tuck affair.
Orlando topped the Cavaliers 4-2 in the best-of-seven playoff series last May but currently trail their NBA-best foe by seven games.
source:reuters.com
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Cavaliers vs Magic preview
With the longest winning streak in the NBA this season and the league's best record, the Cleveland Cavaliers look pretty unbeatable at the moment.
Then again, they looked that way to everyone but the Orlando Magic last spring.
Cleveland can tie its franchise record with a 13th straight win Thursday night against the Magic, who visit Quicken Loans Arena for the first time since stunning LeBron James and the Cavaliers in last season's Eastern Conference finals.
James won his first MVP award last season while leading Cleveland to a league-best 66-16 record, but Orlando shocked the Cavaliers in six games before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA finals.
Little has changed in 2009-10. James (29.8 points per game) leads the league in scoring and has Cleveland (42-11) six games ahead of the Magic (36-17) for the East's best record heading into the teams' second meeting since late May.
James had 36 points in a 102-93 win at Orlando on Nov. 11.
"They're coming into our building, and right now we're the best team in the NBA,'' James said after finishing with 32 points and 11 assists Tuesday as the Cavaliers beat New Jersey 104-97 for their 12th consecutive victory. "It's going to be a fun one.''
Cleveland has won 21 of 22 at home.
James has been busy lately aside from averaging 38.3 points in his last three games. He and Olympic teammate Dwight Howard joined forces for a Super Bowl commercial, and they'll be playing together for the fourth time on the East All-Star squad Sunday in Dallas. continue
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