Boston 96, Orlando 84 (Celtics win series 4-2)

Can everybody calm down now? All of this nonsense about the momentum being changed, give me a break.

Boston went into this game with every Celtics’ fan looking for the best heart medicine at the nearest pharmaceutical and every media press stating how interesting this series has gotten. All hogwash after tonight. Slash that, this series was never interesting. Everybody should be watching the Suns/Lakers series anyway. Boston had this series in hand from the get go. The last two victories from Orlando were almost meaningless. Game 4, Boston simply didn’t show up, and I know it’s cliche, but they really didn’t. Orlando played their best game of the series in Game 5, yet still appeared vulnerable even though they were on fire from downtown. The Magic tried to instill hope in themselves and fans, but the mountain was extremely too high.

Boston had complete control of this series all of the way through. Tonight is completely evident of that. They came out of the gate hungry and full of energy. If you were watching the game, Coach Stan Van Gundy was preaching that to his guys in the locker room prior to tip off. Obviously, nobody got the message. The Celts played with vigor and passion, taking advantage of every opportunity given to them. Orlando was off and missed a plethora of open shots in the opening minutes, which set the tone for the rest of the game. However, Kevin Garnett almost gave it back. Only 4 minutes into the game, and he was elbowing Dwight Howard’s forearm to create space. I have no idea what is wrong with Garnett’s hand, because that you usually works. Anyway, the foul was called and KG went to the bench with early foul trouble, or Doc was just giving him a timeout because he was way too excited. I understand coming out and sending a message, but his actions were retarded. I have no idea what goes through his head sometimes. He isn’t the same player that I, or the rest of the staff for that matter, fell in love with while he played in Minnesota.

Regardless, it didn’t matter though. Rondo was playing incredibly well and facilitating masterfully. All of his teammates were gathering around him and utilizing his terrific play with relish. It was a work of art. Then, he took a blunder. On his way to the basket during a hard drive, Howard gave him an aggressive body bump and Rondo went flying hard on his back. The entire city of Boston held it’s breath, especially the Commish, who was at Fenway Park watching Tim Wakefield give up 9 runs. Rondo has fallen hard before, but he usually gets ups quickly and plays on. This injury was different. He needed time to heal. However, who was going to step in and make a difference.

Enter Nate ‘The Great’ Robinson

Doc Rivers said it back in April that Nate would win him a playoff game. He was right. Robinson was draining pull up 3′s, making fall away jumpers, distributing dimes, and creating havoc for the opposition. He was incredible. Nate tallied 13 points in the second quarter and the entire arena was jumping as the home team entered into halftime with a 13 point lead.

At the start of the third quarter, everybody was worried about a fast start from Orlando, especially with the way the team can rock the 3 ball, but this time, an old savvy vet silenced any potential momentum the Magic were thinking about mustering. My boy, Ray Allen drained back to back three’s to push the lead to 19 immediately. This sucked the life out of Orlando, and how couldn’t of. A team plans and schemes a way to counteract the opposing team’s play, yet come out running into a brick wall. The Magic couldn’t truly respond with purpose after Allen’s treys.

Boston finished the game and Beat LA chants quickly materialized. They deserve it though. No one believed in them, and honestly, they are now the favorite to win the Larry O’Brien. Andrew Bynum and Kobe Bryant’s health in question and lack of depth on the Lakers sideline, it’s just not in the cards. If the Suns win, they don’t have the tools to hang with Boston’s toughness and who is going to guard to Rondo. Steve Nash? ha. Boston is the favorite to win and again, you have to hand it to them. But before I give them to much credit, a question lingers in my mind and it’s been bothering me since the Miami series. It’s been eating at me for a while actually, mainly because I thought I never would have asked this…

…Were we all wrong about Doc Rivers?

This is The Ref signaling I’m out until next time and remember: We miss calls and you miss lay ups.