Boston Celtics Versus Orlando Magic: 2010 Eastern Conference Finals Preview

The past two Eastern Conference champions, the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic will tip-off their series today at the Amway Arena in beautiful Orlando, Florida. No one would dispute the fact that the Orlando Magic is the hottest team in the NBA playoffs. They swept the Charlotte Bobcats in the first round and Atlanta Hawks in the conference semifinals round. The Magic have been resting for a week and should be refreshed and ready to face a Boston team that is eager to prove to the world they have a lot of great basketball left in their old bones. The Magic will be tested by the veteran Celtics, who are playing their best basketball at the right time. The scary part is they're also getting healthy at the right time. After missing the entire postseason with a knee injury, Kevin Garnett has gotten back on track (17.6 pts, 8.3 rebounds, 34.8 minutes in 10 playoff games) in the 2010 NBA playoffs and starting to show people why he may the Celtic's most influential player. The Celtics are a team that believes in sharing the ball, finding the open man, playing great half-court defense. The Magic are a team that thrives when Dwight Howard is scoring in the low post because that opens up the 3 point line for Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, Mickeal Pietrus and the other perimeter shooters for Orlando. This series also features two of the more vocal coaches in the NBA, Boston's Doc Rivers and Orlando's Stan Van Gundy. Both coaches will preach togetherness, the importance of quality shots on every possession, and taking great care of the basketball. Without further ado, let's preview the 2010 NBA Eastern Conference Finals matchup between the Celtics and the Magic.

Series Schedule:

Game 1 @ Orlando: Sunday, May 16-3:30pm ET (ABC)

Game 2 @ Orlando: Tuesday, May 18-8:30pm ET (ESPN)

Game 3 @ Boston: Saturday, May 22-8:30pm ET (ESPN)

Game 4 @ Boston: Monday, May 24-8:30pm ET (ESPN)

Game 5 @ Orlando: Wednesday, May 26-8:30pm ET (ESPN)*

Game 6 @ Boston: Friday, May 28-8:30pm ET (ESPN)*

Game 7 @ Orlando: Sunday, May 30-8:30pm ET (ESPN)*

*if necessary

Regular Season Series: The Magic won three out of four regular season matchups with the Celtics. Boston's lone victory was on Christmas Day in Orlando, by a final score of 86-77. It should be noted that the margin of victory in these games were all less than ten points and neither team hit the century mark scoring wise.

Boston's key reserves: Rasheed Wallace F/C, Glen "Big Baby" also known as the "Ticket Stub" also known as "Uno Uno" Davis F, Tony Allen G.

Orlando's key reserves: Mickeal Pietrus F, J.J. Redick G, Marcin Gortat C, Jason Williams G.

Key Matchup to Watch: Rajon Rondo versus Jameer Nelson will be the most exciting matchup of this series. Both point guards are playing their best basketball at the right time. One could make a legitimate argument that both have been the most valuable players on their respective teams during the playoffs. In the Cleveland series, Rondo was able to control the pace of the game, find open teammates for baskets, penetrate, and even hit perimeter shots when left open by the spotty Cleveland defense. He's been fantastic (18 pts, 6.3 rebounds, 11.1 assists, 41 minutes in 11 playoff games) for a Celtic team that will rely on his youth, intelligence, passing, speed in the open court and scoring to help propel them to their second NBA finals appearance in three years. Nelson (20.5 pts, 5.2 assists, 33.3 minutes in 8 playoff games) has been a force in the playoffs. Last year, you may remember Nelson was out of action until the NBA finals with a shoulder injury. When he did finally play, he was shell of himself. Nelson is motivated and wants prove to the world that he's the missing piece to the Magic's title hopes.

X-Factor: My father called me the other day and he said that Rasheed Wallace will be the X-Factor in the series against the Magic. Ironically, I had the same thought before I started typing up this article. Wallace is multi-skilled power forward/center, who's a much underrated defender with length and championship experience. When he's playing well, the Celtics are tough to beat. On the contrary, he can be erratic and will pout when things aren't going his way. He has the ability to hit the long range shot with consistency that will force Dwight Howard to come out of the paint, which could open up the driving lanes for Pierce and Rondo. At the very least, Wallace needs to rebound, use his six fouls wisely on Howard and give them energy while Perkins is on the bench. If Wallace decides use his post up game and can hit the turnaround jumper with consistency as well, the Celtics will be in great shape.

The keys to victory for Boston:

Perkins ability to guard Howard without help

Get Howard in foul trouble

Keep Howard off the glass

Hand down, man down=Boston must keep their eye on Orlando's perimeter shooters

Wallace and Davis must use their fouls intelligently

Limit the turnovers

Pierce or Allen has to be that 3^rd consistent scorer behind Rondo and Garnett

Execution in the 4^th quarter

The keys to victory for Orlando:

Ball movement

Get out and run

Get Rondo into foul trouble

Keep Howard out of foul trouble

Carter must attack the rim, not settle for perimeter shots and get to the free throw line

Howard must hit his free throws with consistency in the fourth quarter

Keep Rondo out of the paint

Boston will win the series: If Orlando is not hitting their 3 pointers, Howard stays in foul trouble and reverts back to his free throw struggles in the fourth quarter and Carter settles for perimeter shots.

Orlando will win the series: If the Celtics don't extend their defense to stop Rashard Lewis behind the three point line, Carter starts playing like a dependable superstar, Howard stays on the floor and Nelson is able to attack Rondo at will.

Prediction: I believe Howard's poor free throwing shooting, the Celtics having Wallace's outside shooting and six extra fouls, Perkins ability to guard Howard one on one in the post, and a healthy Garnett to shoulder some of the offense burden for Boston will be the difference in this series. The Celtics will win this series with defense and physicality. Last year, the Magic were able to squeak by the Kevin Garnett-less Celtics in 7 games. I believe the Celtics will return the favor and prevail over the Magic in 7 games in a highly contested series.

Source(s): NBA.com