The Fan Voice: "Magic vs. Celtics (Mix and Match Up #3)"

By Live or Die Magic | October 8th, 2009

The 2009-2010 preseason games have started, and in just a few short weeks, the games will start counting. But I wanted to get one last “Mix and Matchup” in before things get real. If you missed my two previous "Mix and Matchups" you can view them here:
Magic vs. Cavaliers
Magic vs. Mavericks

I looked at potential matchups with an eye toward entertainment as well as which ones were more likely to be meaningful during the 2010 postseason. Well, Magic vs. Celtics more than meets both of these criteria.

After seeing the Magic lose Games 4 and 5 to the Celtics in last season’s Eastern Conference semis, it was easy to excuse even the most die hard Magic fan for losing hope. But watching how the team responded in Games 6 and 7 – and especially Game 7 in Boston – made me realize that this “young” team was maturing on the fly.

Of course, there has been one big caveat attached to that entire series. Boston fans say “we took the Magic to seven games without Kevin Garnett!” I’ll even say that they have a valid argument. I may choose to disagree with the sentiment, but I see their perspective. But I will say this, none of that mattered in Game 7 in Boston. In fact, I think hosting Game 7 in Boston – in front of the Celtics fans – without Kevin Garnett equates to a Game 7 in Orlando with Kevin Garnett.

And it isn’t just Magic and Celtics fans that are looking forward to this one. The networks are all over them. All four matchups will be broadcast nationally on either ABC, ESPN, or TNT, including the coveted Christmas Day game. I find it interesting that none of the four matchups fall within the first 10 games (meaning Rashard Lewis will play and Kevin Garnett will have had time to heal.) and the last match up is in early February. So, all four games fall within about a 10 week period, and neither team will have to face the other late in the season. Also, neither team has to face the other on the 2nd half of a back-to-back. So, both teams will have at least one full day of rest before playing each other.

Both of these teams have undergone significant changes since Game 7. Both teams have improved their depth and added wrinkles that might allow them to be even more effective against the other. Let’s take a look.

Best starting lineup matchup:
PG: Jameer Nelson vs. Rajon Rondo
SG: Vince Carter vs. Ray Allen
SF: Rashard Lewis vs. Paul Pierce
PF: Brandon Bass vs. Kevin Garnett
C: Dwight Howard vs. Rasheed Wallace

Key Bench Players:
Magic: Mickael Pietrus, Marcin Gortat, Matt Barnes
Celtics: Kendrick Perkins, Marquis Daniels, Glen Davis

I’m going to get straight to the point: other than Chauncey Billups, there was no other Piston that was more of a “Magic Killer” over the years than Rasheed Wallace. If it wasn’t a timely 3 pointer or a rebound, then it was playing that “frenemy” mind game with Dwight. He just had a knack for beating the Magic when it counted. And the fact that Sheed has moved from the team that formerly gave us fits to the team that is currently giving us fits just burns me up. Sheed was most certainly playing out the string last year with the Pistons, but I expect that we will see a rejuvenated Sheed this year in Celtic green. Even though he is older and slower, his game is still effective and we are more likely to see a player similar to the circa-2004 Rasheed Wallace. He is going to be geeked up to play alongside Garnett, Pierce, and Allen. Considering his experience playing the Magic, and especially his experience guarding Dwight, I am not at all looking forward to seeing him with the Celtics.

Aside from the addition of Wallace, the biggest story is the health of Kevin Garnett. Reports out of Boston say that Garnett is pain free and that he is on schedule to return. The Celtics played their first pre-season game last night and Garnett played. I fully expect to see him in the starting lineup for the first Magic vs. Celtics tilt on November 20th. I expect that he will be extremely motivated to show that he is not only healthy again but that the Celtics are still the team to beat in the East.

I know that Kendrick Perkins is listed as the starting center for the Celtics, but I would not be surprised to see Coach Doc Rivers start (or at least give significant playing time to) Rasheed Wallace alongside Kevin Garnett for this particular matchup. Both of these players have experience guarding Dwight, allowing them to take turns against him if need be. I am once again operating under the assumption that Brandon Bass will play his way into the starting lineup at the power forward position. I know that Matt Barnes has recently been championed as the starter at small forward in the scenario where Coach Stan Van Gundy keeps Rashard Lewis at the 4 spot. But ever since Otis Smith gave the roster a make over, the talk has been flexibility and depth. Well, here is a case in point. Against the Celtics, we do not need speed and quickness like we do against other teams. Apart from Rajon Rondo – who is very, very fast, to be sure – the Celtics rely more on shooting and savvy passing and decision making in the half-court game. So, while we could certainly counter that with a small ball lineup, we still have plenty of speed in a more traditional looking lineup. In fact, I think that starting Bass and Howard together against Garnett and Wallace is key to neutralizing that matchup. Garnett and Wallace certainly have the advantage with their ability to shoot from outside, but with their superior size and quickness, Howard and Bass should be able to own the paint.

More than any other matchup, the battle at small forward between Rashard Lewis and Paul Pierce might get personal. Paul Pierce implied that the Lakers vs. Magic matchup in the Finals was a joke. Rashard was justifiably upset by this and he even more justifiably pointed out that Pierce didn’t deserve a say considering he was sitting on his couch at the time. If any of this war of words makes it onto the court, then this small forward battle will turn epic.

At shooting guard for the Celtics, Ray Allen can still be “lights out” at times, but I think last year’s postseason performance against us might be an indicator that his decline is beginning in earnest. He had a steep drop in production between the first and second rounds, despite playing the same number of minutes. And even if it was just a fluke, as a Magic fan, I’m hoping that he is in decline. But regardless, I still like our chances in this position matchup. Vince Carter should not have any difficultly following Ray around screens and Ray will never know when Vince is going to camp at the 3-line, post him up, or blow by him for a dunk attempt. Seriously, for all the talk of us getting the older Vince Carter, he could still make Ray Allen look really, really old.

The point guard position is the one matchup where the Celtics have a clear advantage. Despite all of Jameer Nelson’s strengths, Rajon Rondo is still younger, taller, faster, and a better distributor. So, Nelson may need to focus on the one thing that he does better: score. On offense, Nelson’s ability to get in the lane might be tested by Rondo’s defensive quickness, but he should still be able to press this advantage. As long as he keeps Rondo working at the defensive end, and gets good help from his Magic teammates when on defense himself, we should be able to punt at this particular position and not have it affect the outcome.

I think the benches for both teams are strong. Being able to bring in guys like Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis at the power forward and center positions will allow the Celtics to put fresh bodies on Dwight Howard and help counter the depth the Magic enjoy when bringing a further developed Marcin Gortat off the bench. In the backcourt, the Celtics have a nice luxury in Marquis Daniels, a player who can play multiple positions, and has plenty of playoff experience. After that, their bench gets a little sketchy. Meanwhile, the Magic have the luxury of going with Matt Barnes, Mickael Pietrus, Marcin Gortat, and Jason Williams. Geez....its almost not fair...I mean, Anthony Johnson and JJ Redick are basically third stringers now!

These matchups are fun to think about. It is all just pure fan speculation, but that is what makes it fun. Who knows how this matchup will turn out, but on paper, it could be awesome, especially if you are a Magic fan! Last season was incredible, but what is even more incredible is the idea that this season could be even more entertaining than the last one.

This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.

Good as always Mr. Voice.

I'm not sure Rasheed Wallace would be a better option than Kendrick Perkins at this point...

KP provides more resistance on D that sheed I believe. Have you seen Sheed? He looks like he smoked too many blunts and ate too many funions because of it. He has put on weight, and not the good kind. He is starting to LOOK old also. Not saying he isnt crafty, but KP is a beast.

I think the Celtics are going to have serious age and health issues this year.

KG, Sheed, Allen and even Pierce could see big dropoffs due to age.

As a Magic fan, I hope all of you are right.

Maybe we would be smart to start Shard or Mr Anderson at the 4 to take one of the bigs away from the paint, giving D12 more room to operate with no help coming and more space for bounds?

Funny. You gave us the edge in the bench comparison, and still didn't have to mention Ryan Anderson.

Celtics are oooooold and declining, although this could be their last chance to fight for the title, so I expect them to give it all this year.

I don't think Sheed will get the start over Perkins, I mean, why would he?

Perkins has proven himself as a (dirty, sneaky) fantastic post defender, and has added a solid post game to boot. Sheed has too much mileage to start an 82 game season.

I do think this is the most captivating matchup in the league.

Even if Sheed doesn't get the start over Perkins, I think he will see significant minutes on the court alongside KG. Remember, the perception is that Wallace is in the heads of most of the Magic players, and especially Howard. From Boston's perspective, they may try to exploit that.

Great analysis the only thing I have a different opinion on is how well JN will play. I think he's more than ready to take them on, and as yo say, he can score, which gives us, I think a definite advantage in the team.