The defending East Champs Orlando Magic picked a hell of a time to lose consecutive home games for the first time this season. Boston bullied themselves to a hard fought game 2 surviving a monster game by Superman to go home leading the series 2-0. Paul Pierce found his offense and torched the Magic for 22 first half points finishing with his second highest point total this playoffs. Ray Allen was awful with 1/6 shooting but the other 3 starters got into double figures including a huge game by Rondo who chipped in 25 pts, 8 assts. The Magic are falling straight into Boston's plan in letting Dwight be the offensive force taking away their 3 point attack taking Superman's crew out of the game and frustrating the East champs. A few bad calls went Boston's way, but they still had a chance to take momentum but made some bad decisions. When they were not doing bone headed plays they were out hustled. Time and time again they failed to get the defensive rebound allowing the Leprechauns a second chance. They lost the rebound battle by only 2, but it wasn't the overall nu mber that killed them it was the timing of the missed rebounds. J.J Reddick who is supposed to have a great game IQ had a mental lapse and cost his team good position and forced them to take a horrible half court prayer that didn't get to the rim. The ghosts of past Magic line failure continue as Vinsanity showed this stage is too bright for him when he clanked two free throws that would have cut the lead to 1, he is a 84% shooter this season. Rashard Lewis continues to be among the most over payed players, Jameer Nelson has come back to earth, and Matt Barnes limped through a better game and provided much energy, too bad his team mates didn't pick up on it. According to reports Paul Pierce twitted "Does anyone have a broom?", a sweep looks possible, Dwight Howard says he still believes and all both games have been closed and Magic could have won either one of them, they have to see it that way and not get discouraged if not it will be a sweep and a very long summer for them.
Player of the Game: Paul Pierce doing most of his damage in the 1st half, he looks to have gotten his stroke back while punishing the Magic's front line repeatedly going to the line and getting them in foul trouble.
X-Factor: Rasheed Wallace hit two huge 3s but most importantly used 5 fouls to prevent easy layups while continuing to get into Howard's skin.
Should Have Been Benched: Over payed Rashard Lewis is averaging 5.5 points this series after 17 vs. Atlanta and 15 vs. the 'Cats. As close as this series has been any double figure contribution from Rashard would help, he's really letting his team mates down.
Overtime: The Magic have had 2 memorable free throw chokes in their playoff history. Last year in game 4 of the Finals when Superman bricked 2 free throws giving the Lakers a chance to tie the game and eventually lose the game. In 1995 also in the Finals vs. the Houston Rockets, Nick Anderson missed FOUR consecutive free throws that would have iced it for the Magic, instead allowed Houston to tie and steal the game in route to a 4 game sweep.
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