(2) Magic Vs. (4) Celtics

[Lamrock]

This is getting interesting. I still dont think the Magics can become the first team in NBA history to win a series after being down 3-0 though.

Why not? If anybody can do it, it would be the best team in the NBA. Throw in the injuries and potential suspension of Perkins, and you have the perfect storm. Boston's still favored here, but game 6 will be game 7.

[Andrew]

To be fair, the Celtics need to be given their due and if winning four straight games after losing the first three was easy, NBA teams wouldn't be a combined 0-93 after getting down 0-3. I'm inclined to agree though, after Game 5 and looking ahead to Game 6 which may feature a depleted Celtics team, we can't rule out the possibility that this Magic team will make it 1-93 and secure a place in history, no matter what happens after that.

[benji]

That 0-93 thing is not necessarily fair, yes it illustrates the long odds, but the odds are more against you because you can only lose one game at any time. So lots of teams go out in games four and five.

I think a more interesting thing is that only three teams have ever forced a game seven in that situation. 1951 Knicks against Rochester Royals in the Finals, 1994 eighth seed Nuggets against the fifth seeded Jazz, and the 2003 sixth seeded Blazers against the third seeded, but best during the regular season, Mavericks. (When they famously pulled Zach Randolph off the bench he spent the year on to maul the Mavericks inside.)

Forcing game six after down 3-0 is not easy either. 2006 Bulls in the second round, 2000 Sixers in the second round, and 1996 Sonics in the NBA Finals are the only teams post-merger to do so, not counting the above teams of course. (Plenty of teams have won four straight after down 2-0.)

In other words, this is only the sixth time since the merger a team has forced game six after being down 3-0.

And never has it been the best team in basketball during that season but instead always a lower seed coming back against a superior opponent.

[NovU]

Fuck. Referees, are you fucking kidding me? That second fucking technical on Perkins was a joke. Why not just skip game 6 and play game 7.

[benji]

Because the Celtics can still end the series at six?

[Fresh8]

If Celtics can't finish off the series in Boston, I reckon Magic will make history and win the series.

[NovU]

Because the Celtics can still end the series at six?

Hoping so. I don't like the Celt's chance in game 7.

[benji]

At this rate they won't have enough players by a game seven.

[livia]

yeah,unbelievable!

[Sauru]

game was fucking stupid, perkins gets ejected for no damn reason at all, then 2 players get a concussion one of them again from howard throwing his elbows. how has he gone over looked for all the take downs and head shots in this series? the second concussion was just stupid offense by a player who should never be on the court. celtics need to win game 6 and if we dont have perkins its not looking good. i honestly believe if this goes to game 7 the celtics will lose and then the nba can go fuck it self

[Andrew]

In all fairness, Perkins has had his share of dirty plays in the past too (though the double technical was ridiculous, certainly the second one was not a good call) and Pierce's shove on Redick in Game 5 was way out of line.

[Sauru]

yeah that pierce play was also stupid. still think they need to win game 6 and if we dont have davis or perkins i am not full of confidence

[Andrew]

Agreed. Even if history favours the Celtics, all bets are off in Game 7. Still, I wouldn't count them out of Game 6 just yet.

[puttincomputers]

i wouldn't be surprised if big baby is out for a few months. that was a nasty collision! Though i believe it was completely unintentional after watching replays. In fact Howard tries to do the right thing and pull his elbow inwards. If his arm had been at at greater than 30 degrees from his body there would have been good reason to suspect foul play.

The pierce play would have been okay except that gortat made contact with pierce and the force of the collision threw him into the path of Howard. Howard due to being so big does not have the abilty to hit the floor and stand straight up after jumping that high. it was either pierces shoulder or howards knees.

[Martti.]

I made a bet before the series, that Magic will win. After three games, I bought the things we bet on, but now I hope I'll get doubles.

[Oznogrd]

i wouldn't be surprised if big baby is out for a few months. that was a nasty collision!

You don't know anything about concussions do you?

[puttincomputers]

wasnt there an nba player that was a month or two this season due to the results from a concussion?

edited to add...

ah yes i thought so. it was scalabrine who incidently is on the celtics roster.

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/03/03/celt ... index.html

however it was last year.

[shadowgrin]

Gerald Wallace probably holds the NBA record for most concussions. I think he had 4 concussions in a span of 4 seasons...

EDIT: 4 in 4.

[Jeffx]

I hope the league rescinds the second T, because the call was bogus. Perkins should be allowed to play in Game 6. And I'm a Celtic hater, but NBA refs have been a joke the past few years.

I love Jeff Van Gundy's quote - "The NBA - where soft happens!"

[Jeffx]

WFAN just reported the second technical has been rescinded. Perkins will play Game 6.

[Oznogrd]

wasnt there an nba player that was a month or two this season due to the results from a concussion?

edited to add...

ah yes i thought so. it was scalabrine who incidently is on the celtics roster.

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/03/03/celt ... index.html

however it was last year.

A few months is ridiculous though. Even a month is only a few weeks and thats really only for very severe cases. In football people come back after 6 weeks and they get hit every play...I'd imagine basketball's time to be "ok" to play would be much sooner.

be out 6 weeks tops and i dont think it'll even be that long. If the Celtics make the finals, i bet he plays.

[NovU]

WFAN just reported the second technical has been rescinded. Perkins will play Game 6.

That's a great news. Fucking refs these days... Ejection fucked up the last game big time. Hope refereeing will be better in game 6.

[diddy]

I hope Orlando make it and win 4 in the row, and Boston would suck!

[shadowgrin]

You know what sucks more? Miami Heat.

[Sauru]

i dont think howard meant to hit davis in the face i do think he meant to hit him though. every time he has fouled someone downlow he has had a follow through even after if was clear there was no shot going up. there was no need for his elbow to go near davis yet it traveled that way. imo he is proving to be a much dirtier player than i gave him credit for