Title Defense Step 2

A lot of people have spent the day reflecting on a fantastic series between the Bulls and Celtics. It was one for the ages that ended with a game that in some ways reflected the series and in other ways turned the series on its head. The intensity was obviously still there, the solid play from Kirk "Spok" Heinrich and Ben Gordon was there. The wily veteran play of the "Old Dogs" was still there. However, there was no need for a "BBS" (Big Ball Shot), Eddie House decided to start shooting the basketball like he did earlier this season (a BIG help, and hopefully a harbinger of things to come...).

Looking forward the C's take on the Magic starting tomorrow night. The scary part about this series is it cannot match up to the Bulls-C's, its impossible. This makes me nervous because it makes me wonder if the C's will have a bit of a hangover. A hangover from the intensity, both physically and mentally. The Magic played in a boring series that saw one exciting finish. However, the Magic are not that good. They really do not scare me. And here is why...

The Magic do not know when to stop shooting three pointers. They just don't. This is a double edged sword. No lead is safe...for either team. The Magic can eviscerate any lead via the 3-point field goal. However, when they have leads themselves, they cannot stop shooting from deep. They do not pound the ball into Howard, and if they do Perkins is a solid defender who can bang with Howard. As long as Perk can stay out of foul trouble I think Howard will be held at bay.

The Magic can also go small, but the C's can match up against the quick line-up. Tony Allen can play good defense, as long as he isn't shooting the ball his services are appreciated.

The pounding the C's took against the Bulls could be a good thing. Maybe it toughened them up, maybe the experience that Perk and Big Baby earned will pay off. Maybe Scal and House can fill the bench void like they did in Game 7. Maybe Marbury can figure out how to play basketball again, because his services would be appreciated too...

In the end, I gotta go, once again, with the Old Dogs. The defending champs have home court and they are destined for a Cavs series in the Conference Finals. Man that would be great wouldnt it?

C's close this series out in 6 games and the Cavs sweep the Hawks away, getting them some rest...and hopefully some rust...