A start on the wrong foot

Last night was the « BIG » beginning of one of the four conferences semifinal series in the NBA playoffs 2009. In the Eastern conference, the Boston Celtics (#2 in regular season East) recevied the Orlando Magic (#3 in regular season East). After a first round not as easy as everyone thought for these teams, it was in one way a new beginning. Like the bearth of new teams who had some difficulties in the precedent round. The Celtics wanted to take a real good start because they had lost their first game in their first round series against the Chicago Bulls, and wee all know where that went afterwords. The Floridians were more in a easy going style, but they had the intention to continue in that way after a really bad start in their first round series. This was certainly the big game of the day, because these two teams were so close to each other in the regular season, they have finished second and third in the Eastern conference. Isn't that a great match up or what!

However, event if the franchise were very similar in all kind of aspects, something made the difference in this first confrontation. That difference is what we call « The Beast » a.k.a Dwight Howard. The center of the Orlando Magic was back from suspension after giving an elbow to Samuel Dalembert in the game 5 of the first round against the Philadelphia 76ers. That bad behavior had cost him a one game suspension.Last night was a redemption game for him and he just delivered ! He averaged 16 points and 22 rebounds, 3 blocks, 3 assists and was 4 for 5 from the free throw line. What'else ? He just filed the gap that the Magic needed to filed up to start in a good way this series. The Boston Celtics just couldn't handle that kind of offensive and defensive power.

The next game will also be in Boston and there is no other options fort the Celtics, they have to win that one if they don't want to be sweeped in this round. The Magic is stronger than the Bulls were and they will not let that kind of occasion go away. The Celtics are warned, but let's don't forget that we are talking about the titleholders, they know how to handle this situation, they are even known for their hard and longs win in 7 games matchs up. They have started this series on the wrong foot, but they didn't fall yet, there is still to come, that's why we love the palyoffs.

Alexandre Biggerstaff, NBA on TNT