NBA: All hands on deck for Orlando and Boston

For the Magic and Celtics, the expression "dance with who brung ya" will not apply as too many players that allowed these teams to set up this meeting are on the sidelines. Kevin Garnett, Leon Powe, Jameer Nelson and Courtney Lee will be among the missing

2009-05-05

For the Magic and Celtics, the expression "dance with who brung ya" will not apply as too many players that allowed these teams to set up this meeting are on the sidelines. Kevin Garnett, Leon Powe, Jameer Nelson and Courtney Lee will be among the missing for this Eastern Conference semi-final. This means other have to step up and coaches will have to take long looks down the bench from game to game hoping to catch the right player able to be difference-maker.

Boston has several edges they can use to exploit Orlando's lack of quicks. Though Rafer Alston was the best possible replacement the Magic could land for Nelson at the point guard, there was also a reason why Houston was willing to let him go. Alston is a descent facilitator of the ball, but won't be able to keep up with Rajon Rondo and will likely need to run his lips to provoke Rondo into mistakes more than with physical ability.

After what Ray Allen did consistently to Chicago guards after Game 1, just the thought of J.J. Redick guarding him has to bring that warm smile the former UConn product has. Boston is 35-18 ATS off a home win by 10 points or more and Glen Davis has worked himself into more than just a serviceable player, with a consistently reliable short jump shot and he can set bone-crushing screens to set up Allen and Paul Pierce for jumpers.

Sportsbook.com has the Celtics as -135 favorites to win the series and they have greater versatility and play better defense than the Magic.

That doesn't make Boston a lock, far from it. The Celtics had to physically extend themselves to secure win against Chicago, forced to play what was seven games and the equivalent of basically three more quarters to advance. That has to mean tired legs. Though Kendrick Perkins has the right body-type to compete with Dwight Howard, if he becomes fatigued quickly, he'll pick up senseless fouls and be relegated to the bench, creating a great deal of freedom for Howard to patrol in the paint.

By now everyone knows Orlando was splendid on the road with 29-15 record and they had 28 covers to show just how devastating they can be. Their ability to knockdown shots gives them edge. Hedo Turkoglu returned to drilling clutch shots after a few off games against Philadelphia. If Turkoglu completely regains shooting touch, he forces Big Baby Davis away from the lane into unfamiliar territory, allowing Hedo to dribble drive to score and create assist opportunities.

If that happens, Pierce is forced to guard Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis can breakdown whoever is guarding him. Redick is a decided defensive liability, thus coach Stan Van Gundy must hide him as much as possible and Redick must have stalemate points-wise with who he matches up against to be considered a useful.

Orlando is off feel good blowout at Philly to capture series and is 27-10 ATS after playing a game as a road underdog. They are 2.5-point underdogs with total of 188.5, which one could surmise oddsmakers believe the Magic might have better team. These teams split four games, with Orlando winning last two, but Boston was 3-1 ATS and is 19-5 against the spread at home vs. the Magic.

Boston is 6-14 ATS in last 20 home tilts and is 31-14 OVER as home favorite. Orlando is 12-4 ATS as road underdog and is 12-4 UNDER after playing a game as a pooch this season, winning by an average of 13.7 points per game.

TNT has the series opener starting at 8:05 Eastern and poise is going to be extremely important factor for both teams, since neither can afford to have player banished for technical fouls or fighting.

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