Celtics hope to subtract 3 from Magic

Source From: http://sports.espn.go.com/

After being forced to defend the likes of Cleveland's LeBron James and Miami's Dwyane Wade in the early rounds of the NBA playoffs, it would seem the Boston Celtics would relish the opportunity to play a team that didn't boast a scorer among the league's top 25 this season.

Instead, with Boston in Orlando for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals n Sunday (ABC, 3:30 p.m.), it must figure out a way to defend a team that may not have an elite scorer, but is chock full of weapons that can light up the scoreboard.

"They're a team built around the inside presence of Dwight Howard, surrounded by guys who can really shoot the ball and score," said Celtics captain Paul Pierce.

"They're a little deeper and they definitely gained confidence," Pierce added, referencing last year's team that advanced to the NBA Finals before losing to the Lakers. "It'll definitely be a real challenge for us, especially the way they're playing."

Dating to the regular season, the Magic have won their last 14 games and have breezed through the first two rounds of the postseason. Orlando hasn't lost since April 2 in San Antonio and hasn't been defeated at Amway Arena since March 14 against Charlotte.

While Orlando's defense deservedly gets much of the credit for the team's success, the Magic also have thrived with a balanced offense that essentially challenges the opposition to pick its poison.

Howard (18.3 points per game, 26th in the NBA) was the team's only representative among the league's top 40 scorers this season. But in the playoffs, point guard Jameer Nelson leads five Orlando players averaging double figures; one year after Nelson missed the Magic's seven-game triumph over Boston in a conference semifinal, he might be the biggest concern for the Celtics.

"There's no secret what they do," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "They use Howard as a great post guy, a guy who can suck in everyone, then Jameer Nelson tries to take you off the dribble, they go draw and kick, and then they look for the 3[-pointers]. That's what they do.

"As important as it is to have a guy guarding Howard straight up, it's probably just as important to stay in front of Jameer Nelson. His dribble penetration creates more 3s than their post game. We have to take that away as well."

Not since Antoine Walker was at peak wigglage in Boston has a team loved the 3-pointer as much as the Magic. Orlando set an NBA record by connecting on 841 triples this season, a staggering average of 10.26 per game.

In the postseason, they're making even more.

Orlando is connecting on an average of 11.13 trifectas through eight games, and it's percentage is up nearly a full point at 38.4 percent (37.5 in the regular season).

The Celtics were fourth in the NBA in 3-point defense, limiting opponents to 34.2 percent shooting. But opponents have at times burned them from the perimeter.

Center Kendrick Perkins, who will be responsible for defending Howard, also recognized what the real key to the series is.

"We've got to take away the 3," said Perkins. "They live and die by the 3-pointer, we've got to take that away from them."

Perkins will have his hands full with Howard, a legit superstar, and while he's done a nice job defensively on Superman in recent meetings, the numbers confirm that the Magic are decidedly better against the Celtics with Howard on the court.

According to the wizards at ESPN Stats and Information, the Celtics were a minus-27 in point differential during the four regular-season meetings when Howard was on the floor. With Howard on the bench, Boston benefited to the tune of plus-22 in point differential.

While much of that can be traced to Howard's dominance in defending the basket, he also must be accounted for offensively. Perkins, who muscled up against Shaquille O'Neal last round, will be tested by Howard's athleticism. Perkins needs to out-physical Howard to be successful.

And that's no small task considering Perkins likely will often be in help mode on defense. Whether it's Nelson or Vince Carter driving to the basket, Perkins is going to have to supplement the guards and protect the paint.

Howard understands the challenge that awaits him.

"I think the past couple of years I've been trying to just fight [Perkins] and get into a wrestling match, playing to his advantage," Howard told reporters, according to the Orlando Sentinel. "So I won't try to do that this series."

The Celtics also know their defense is vital in fueling their offense.

"If we get multiple stops, we can run and we feel that way against anybody," said Rivers. "If we can get stops, get the ball into [Rajon] Rondo's hand, we're going to run, there's no doubt about that. The tough part is getting multiple stops. They're so good offensively, that makes them a tough team."

The Magic are tough because of the versatility and athleticism of Rashard Lewis. They're tough because of the scoring boost Mickael Pietrus provides off the bench. They're tough because J.J. Redick can't be left alone behind the arc. And all that is after Howard, Nelson and Carter.

So even with James and Wade in the rearview mirror, the Celtics fully expect their stiffest challenge yet.

"It's the playoffs, it's not going to get any easier," said Perkins. "I can't run from the challenge."

Neither can his teammates.

Post By: Air Max