Game 5: Boston Celtics 92 Orlando Magic 88
Analysis: This was an epic choke by the Orlando Magic, who should have won this game going away. Yes, the Celtics had to make the plays and they deserve credit for making them, but all Orlando had to do was hit 2 or 3 buckets in the last 6 minutes of the game and they would have won. The problem with Orlando is that they have no go-to-guy. Dwight Howard can demand that he gets the ball more all he wants, but what is he going to do with it? Almost all of his points come off putbacks from missed shots and easy buckets that his teammates set him up with when his defender leaves to help out defensively on the guy with the ball. If you throw Dwight the ball in the post he isn't going to do shit with it...point blank, period, end of story. So I don't blame the Magic for not getting Dwight the ball, but they still could have played smarter, especially Rashard Lewis, who should be going to the basket against Big Baby down the stretch. Of course I guess the coach should be calling that play for him too. Early on I thought Rafer Alston actually hitting shots was the difference in this game, but of course that ended and then Magic were toast. This is a game were someone like Jameer Nelson would have really helped the Magic out. I feel like he is a guy who can hit some big shots when you need him to. At least the Magic better hope so or they won't be sniffing a championship anytime soon.
Key Players of The Game
Glen "Big Baby" Davis: Big Baby was great down the stretch for the second game in a row. He hit a ton of huge jumpers and finished with a team-high 22 points. He also added 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal.
Stephon Marbury: Marbury was huge for the Celtics in the 4th quarter, where he scored 12 points to keep the Celtics within distance of the Magic. With Rondo struggling, Marbury was given an opportunity to make something and he did. This is the reason why the Celtics got him, because he is capable at any given point of giving you a performance like this. They don't always need him to do it, but if they do he certainly can. He finished with 12 points and 2 assists on 5 of 10 shooting.
Paul Pierce: Pierce had a nice all-around game in this one finishing with 19 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals; while shooting an efficient 6 of 11 from the floor and a perfect 7 of 7 from the line. In fact, the Celtics were a perfect 21 of 21 from the line as a team.
Ray Allen: Even though he sucked for most of the game shooting only 3 of 11 and scoring just 13 points, you just KNEW he was going to hit the big shot for the Celtics if they ever took the lead.
Dwight Howard: He finished with 12 points and 17 rebounds, but he doesn't scare me at all if I'm the opposing team. Like I said, he has no post moves and relies on missed shots and his teammates drawing defenders away from him to get his points. If you stay with and box him out, he's pretty much just another basketball player and that is not going to get things done at this point in the playoffs.
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