The Boston Celtics locked down the Orlando Magic on the defensive end in game 1 of the eastern conference finals, allowing the Magic to score only 88 points, a team that averaged 101 points in the first two rounds of playoffs. One major factor in the game was the inability of Dwight Howard to establish position in the paint. Kendrick Perkins, Glen Davis and Rasheed Wallace each successfully prevented Howard from catching the ball close to the basket, creating a lower percentage shot for Howard. When Howard was able to establish good position, he was fouled, forcing him to earn his points from the free throw line where he generally struggles. A hard or soft foul shows up as just one foul in the box score, but there is a big difference between the two. The fouls that the Celtics committed on Howard were hard fouls – fouls that send a message - no points will come easily in this series.
Howard shot 3-10 from the field and 7-12 from the line. Of the three shots that he made, only one was directly under the basket - a tip off of Jameer Nelson's missed shot with 26 seconds left in the game. The other two shots he made were 4 ft and 7 ft jumpers. He was not able to dunk the ball or get easy layups like he was in the first two rounds. If the Magic want to have a chance in this series, Howard will have to establish his position in the paint before he catches the ball in order to shoot a higher percentage shot - otherwise he will be forced to earn each point at the line.
Celtics defense definitely did a job on Howard.
ReplyDeleteHoward's main contribution is defense and rebounding. He's far from being an established offensive player. I don't think the Magic lost because of his play. I think they lost it because Rashard Lewis, Pietrus, and the bench did not step up to help Vince Carter and Jameer Nelson. This will be a long series.
ReplyDeleteYeah agreed. But, if Howard is able to get easier shots, he could force the double team and free up the three point shooters. He is good at passing out of the double and finding the open man - usually for a wide open three. If Howard only demands single coverage, the Magic will have a tough time.
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