At 121:100, the Orlando Magic defeated the Pistons at home by 21 points, setting the total score at 3:2. At the same time, they reversed the decline caused by the away defeat and the curse. Especially the 21-point victory was against the Pistons.
This strong defensive team fully demonstrates the Magic's powerful offensive power.
The Celtics, who are currently in their second playoff game like the Orlando Magic, have changed from being the favorites to win the championship in everyone's eyes during the regular season. Their championship situation has begun to become precarious. Yesterday, the Celtics
In an away game against the Cavaliers, the Celtics lost to the Cavaliers with a score of 88:77. The Cavaliers relied on their home advantage to tenaciously equalize the total score to 2:2. This allowed the Celtics to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
The form seemed confusing, and considering that in the first round of the game, the Celtics challenged the league's underdog Hawks, they were also stubbornly dragged into the tiebreaker by the Hawks.
The Celtics, the Big Three, performed very domineeringly in the regular season, winning almost every strong match and achieving 66 wins, but their performance in the playoffs was not that impressive. Compared with the Hawks
They reached the tiebreaker and tied with the Cavaliers at 2:2. It's too early to say despair, but it must be said that the performance of the Celtics' Big Three in the playoffs was a bit disappointing.
Among them, three-point shooter Ray Allen has received the most criticism. After joining the Celtics, Ray Allen's average data plummeted from 269 points per game during the SuperSonics era to 269 points per game during the SuperSonics period.
Reduce the impact. But in the playoffs, Ray Allen's characteristics as a key killer were not reflected.
In the first round, Ray Allen's performance, especially on the road, has been poor. It has been more ups and downs, especially when he missed key goals many times, which led to the Celtics being dragged into the tiebreaker. Entering the second round, Ray Allen
Allen's performance still showed little improvement. In the first game of the second round against the Cavaliers, Ray Allen played 37 minutes but ended up with zero points and four rebounds. Although the Celtics ended up with 76:72
Defeat the Cavaliers, but this performance also made Ray Allen more criticized. In the second game, Ray Allen's performance recovered slightly, scoring 16 points, the second-highest score on the team after Garnett. But in the third game
In the fourth game, Ray Allen's score dropped to single digits again. In the fourth game, his performance improved and he scored 15 points but only shot 40% from the field.[
Among the Big Three, Ray Allen seems to be lost. His performance cannot be compared with the other two giants, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Although in interviews with the media, Kevin Garnett
Both Nate and Paul Pierce expressed their belief that Ray Allen would find his shooting feel and perform better and better. However, in the media, even the local Celtic media could not help but start questioning Ray Allen.
Len's performance in the playoffs was not worthy of his worth and Big Three status. Although Paul Pierce's performance was not very good either. But as a local star in Boston, it is obvious that the media has a higher tolerance for him.
Of Ray Allen.
However, in this case, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, both of the Big Three, expressed their support for Ray Allen in front of the media.
"Lei just can't feel it for a while. This kind of situation happens too often. This is not the first time that Lei has faced this kind of situation. I believe this time it will be the same as before and he will handle these problems well."
Paul Pierce faced the media and said: "I believe it won't be long before he turns back into the cold-blooded killer we are familiar with."
"No matter what you say, Ray will always be Ray and will not become another person." Kevin Garnett also said in front of the media: "For him, shooting is like eating and drinking. He is just
It’s just that you missed a few meals occasionally, so there’s no need to worry.”
Although the two more important ones among the Big Three support Ray Allen, such support is not enough to dispel the media's doubts about Ray Allen. To dispel this doubt, Ray Allen must also
Play a performance worthy of being named the Big Three.
At the same time, there are unprecedentedly many questions in the media about whether the Celtics can successfully advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. After all, the Celtics' current situation does not reveal any strong championship prospects.
In this turbulent situation full of doubts, the Celtics used a slightly reluctant victory to temporarily consolidate their advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals. 96:89 The Celtics defeated them with home advantage.
The Cleveland Cavaliers temporarily led the Cavaliers 3:2 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
This game was played just like the previous games between the Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The game was very fierce from the first second. In the second half, the two sides even had a physical conflict. Although in the end
No one was ejected, but Delonte West, Anderson Varejao and Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo each received a total of four technical fouls.
Paul Pierce scored a team-high 29 points, and Kevin Garnett scored 26 points, second only to Paul Pierce. He also grabbed 16 rebounds in the front and backcourt, including five offensive rebounds.
He sent out 4 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals. He was the most critical player for the Celtics to win the game. Paul Pierce's wonderful performance of 5 out of 6 free throws when both sides entered the foul penalty period at the end of the game established his reputation.
The victory of the Celtics. Sophomore Rajon Rondo also performed very well. He made 9 of 15 shots and an unprecedented 2 of 3 three-pointers. He scored 20 points and also sent out 13 assists.
, as well as two steals and two blocks.
Ray Allen's performance continued to be disappointing. He made only 4 of 11 shots and 1 of 4 three-pointers. He only scored 11 points. Compared with the 40 minutes of playing time, Ray Allen showed no signs of failure at all.
He has a convincing image of a giant. On the contrary, second-year player Rajon Rondo's performance after entering the playoffs is eye-catching. In this game, he can be said to play a role alongside Garnett and Paul Pierce.
important role.
Compared to Ray Allen, whose performance after entering the playoffs can even be described as mediocre as a compliment, Rajon Rondo is more like the third giant of the Celtics. Regarding whether the Celtics can advance
Although the doubts about Ray Allen have weakened a little, the doubts about Ray Allen have skyrocketed.
For the Magic, after the game against the Pistons, they can take a break and use this time to take a good look at their competitors in the next round.
Either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Celtics.
Selfishly, Stan Van Gundy hopes that they will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals. Because the Cleveland Cavaliers are LeBron James's team. Although James is powerful, his attack point is
A single knight can easily be restrained.
Not to mention anything else. As long as Adrian puts the offense second and competes with James throughout the game like he did when he was with the Lakers, the Magic can almost guarantee victory in the series.
As for the Celtics, it's a completely different situation.
Although the teams of the Big Three have difficulties in running-in, and the salary space is limited, it is difficult to sign other strong role players. But on the field, the combination of the Big Three is indeed terrifying. Because they have too many offensive points, whether it is Ray
Allen, Paul Pierce or Kevin Garnett, each of them has the ability to tear apart the opponent's defense in isolation with the ball. Now there is also Rajon Rondo.
Rajon Rondo's outburst this season is inexplicable and makes the Celtics ecstatic. Some even claim that Rajon Rondo is the Celtics' fourth giant. This time, it was originally considered a draft pick.
In the junior class of 2006, Adrian, Rajon Rondo and Brandon Roy suddenly emerged with a top point guard and two first-class point guards, and they were suddenly promoted to point guards in the senior year.
It is extremely rare in NBA history to have two top-level point guards emerge from the same draft.
This makes it more difficult to conduct targeted defense against the Celtics.[
Among the Big Three, although Ray Allen's performance is disappointing, as a coach, Stan Van Gundy knows deeply what role a top three-pointer can play in the playoffs! Now
Ray Allen has not found his form and has not performed well. But once Ray Allen successfully finds his form, his performance will be decisive. It is difficult to find someone in the league who is as suitable as Ray Allen to execute the final
As a first-choice pick, his other nickname, "Cold-Blooded Killer", which is as famous as "Gentleman", is enough to illustrate the key role he can play in key games.
This view coincides with Adrian's.
In Adrian's memory, the final championship team in the 2007-08 season was the Celtics. The Celtics were able to successfully win the championship this season, but their performance in the entire regular season was only average. In the first two rounds of the playoffs,
Ray Allen, who was almost on the fringes of the team, played a decisive role in the Eastern Conference Finals and Finals. On several occasions, Ray Allen used his three-point shot to save the team from the edge of defeat.
The Celtics successfully got back on track to compete in the Finals.
Adrian, who is familiar with history, can only say that Ray Allen broke out at the right time. When the Celtics needed him to stand up the most, he not only stood up, but also jumped up! Not only did everyone because
Those who had underestimated Ray Allen throughout the regular season and two-round series were shattered, and he helped the Celtics win the coveted championship.
Although history is different now, it seems that Ray Allen's trajectory is still following the rhythm of history. If the Celtics successfully advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, it will almost mean that the time has come for Ray Allen to reveal his true nature as a killer.
.
Adrian hopes that the Cavaliers can create a miracle and defeat the Celtics, so that the Magic will have a high chance of reaching the finals and meeting the Western Conference champions. But at the same time, Adrian is also vaguely aware of this possibility.
The difference is very small. The Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers, as the two sides facing off, have almost no difference in lineup and history. Under the premise of established history, unless there is a major accident,
Otherwise, it would be almost certain that the Celtics would eliminate the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Adrian and Stan Van Gundy predicted the next opponents in the Eastern Conference finals. Adrian took it for granted that the Celtics would definitely advance to the Eastern Conference finals. Although Stan Van Gundy was not sure who would advance to the finals, he also
I feel that whether it is from the current schedule or overall strength, the Celtics are more likely to advance.
Therefore, although the opponent in the Eastern Conference Finals has not yet been decided, the Orlando Magic has already begun preparations and training for the Eastern Conference Finals against the Celtics.
As for the eventuality, the Cleveland Cavaliers advance. That’s not a big deal. The Orlando Magic is happy to see this happen. After Adrian joined the Magic, the Magic not only won twice during the regular season
Defeating the Cavaliers gave them a psychological advantage. In terms of lineup, the Magic also restrained the Cavaliers. Although they lost general Turkoglu, the Magic still felt they had some advantages against the Cavaliers.
At 8 pm on Saturday, May 17th, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Celtics, who returned to their home court, started a muscle-on-muscle, iron-blooded-on-iron defensive battle. The Celtics committed 25 fouls in the game.
, the Cleveland Cavaliers committed 16 fouls, a total of 41 common fouls and 8 technical fouls on both sides. Tony Allen was ejected. In the end, the iron-blooded Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the same iron-blooded Cavaliers with the advantage of slightly fewer fouls.
The Celtics defeated the Celtics at home 74:69, with a total score of 3:3. The two sides were tied again, and the game was once again dragged into a cruel elimination and tie-break.
The victory of the Cleveland Cavaliers in this game shook Stan Van Gundy's belief that the Celtics would eventually advance. He couldn't help but want to change the training plan, at least to target the Cavaliers' possible lineup and
Practice more tactics.
However, Adrian still insisted on his own idea. He insisted that the Celtics would eventually advance. However, he had no way to explain that he had no way to tell Stan Van Gundy. Historically, the Celtics had finally advanced, although in the end, it was slightly disappointing
Satisfied, but the Magic's training was indeed disrupted, and some training content for the Cavaliers was included in the training. This lasted until Monday, May 19, the game between the Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
