Boston Celtics @ Orlando Magic – The Guards
To get you prepared for the Christmas Day showdown between the now 21-7 Magic (pending the game vs. the Rockets tonight) and the 22-5 Celtics, I am going to set off a day for the 3 sets of positions to break them down completely. The schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, December 23rd– Guards
Thursday, December 24th– Forwards
Friday, December 25th– Centers
GUARDS
Probable Celtic Starters:
Rajon Rondo
12.1 PPG 9.7 APG 3.9 RPG 11.1% 3P% 52.7% FG% 54.8% FT% 2.7 SPG
Miscellaneous – Knocking the ball loose on defense / Creating open looks for teammates / Getting to the rim and finishing with a sneaky lay up
Ray Allen
16.0 PPG 2.9 APG 3.2 RPG 36.4% 3P% 46.0% FG% 92.7% FT% 0.9 SPG
Miscellaneous- Helps spread the floor / Has increased his skills in and around the basket / Mr. Clutch
Probable Magic Starters:
Jameer Nelson
12.8 PPG 5.2 APG 2.8 RPG 40.0% 3P% 42.4% FG% 80.7% FT% 1.1 SPG
Miscellaneous- Great pull up jump shooter from any range / Works well in the lane passing and shooting / Can get very hot from behind the arc
Vince Carter
18.6 PPG 3.1 APG 5.1 RPG 33.6% 3P% 39.9% PG% 85.1% FT% 0.7 SPG
Miscellaneous- Has never found a shot he doesn’t like / Can take over a game / Still has what it takes to get up
Celtics Top Guard off the Bench:
Eddie House
7.0 PPG 0.8 APG 1.3 RPG 38.3% 3P% 39.4% FG% 87.0% FT% 0.6 SPG
Miscellaneous– Knock down 3-point shooter / Likes to bank mid range jumpers / Won’t find him in around the rim too often
Magic Top Guard off the Bench:
J.J. Redick
9.5 PPG 1.9 APG 1.9 RPG 45.7% 3P% 47.5% FG% 78.5% FT% 0.3 SPG
Miscellaneous- Leave him open and he will have huge games / Takes 3 hours to fix his hair before the game
At the point guard position, this game will depend heavily on how Jameer Nelson plays after missing so much time. It is sure that he will not be 100% back in the swing of things, so Jason Williams may still see quite a bit of playing time off the bench. For the Celtics, the backup point guard for this game especially with Pierce and Daniels out, will be extremely make shift. They have been having Pierce help bring the ball up from time to time, but now they dont have that. I am sure we will see Ray helping out, but Doc is going to have one heck of a time figuring out rotations for the next few weeks.
At the shooting guard position, the Magic are led by an off and on Vince Carter. He can shoot and look very bad, or very good. This game will depend on whether or not he is hitting his shots, even ones with hands in his face. He is not the only inconsistent one, however, Ray Allen has found it hard to be steady, and is instead either shooting lights out or not hitting anything. The difference between to two is Ray will 95% of the time shoot a good shot, not a contested one. Helping out Ray at the 2 will again be Eddie House, as this is more of his position to succeed, and we may even have to see some of the rookie Lester Hudson. It will all change with the game situation, and just how much Doc is willing to push Ray and Rondo.
Guard ADVANTAGES:
Shooting: Magic
Both of the Magic’s guards can shoot with the best of them, while Ray is having an off year, and Rondo is not known for his shooting ability. Then off the bench it is almost a lock between House and Redick, but the other deep bench players for the Magic like Williams shoot with much higher percentages than the Celtics. This category was a no doubter, as the Magic survive off their shooting. They are stacked with guards who can shoot with the best of them.
Ability to drive and get easy looks: Celtics
Rondo is proving more and more as his career goes on that he is a lethal threat with his speed to get the the basket. Ray Allen as well has been driving this year, as he is becoming a player less dependent on the three ball. While both Vince and Jameer have the capability, more than the Celtics starters do they rely on jump shooting. The same goes for the bench players. Anthony Johnson can get inside, but does it with intelligence instead of being swift. The Magic guards would rather shoot outside, while the Celtics have more guards who want to attack.
Ability to Assist: Celtics
Rondo makes up the most of this category, however the entire Celtics team is unselfish. The guards are unselfish to the point where they pass up open looks, to get a closer, or higher percentage shot. The lone exception to this rule on the Celtics is Eddie House who is just a pure shooter. Jameer makes it a habit to throw lob passes to Howard, but when compared to Rondo, would rather shoot. Then we all know who Vince Carter is, and the Magic bench is 50/50. Although assists per game is related to the whole team, it is moreso relevant to the guards, and the Celtics are 2nd in the league in assists per game, while the Magic are 22nd.
IQ: Magic
Although the Celtics are very intelligent with Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen, it does not carry much into their bench (atleast at the guard position). The Magic have many guards who have been around the league for quite some time. Williams, Nelson, Carter, Anthony Johnson are all veterans who know the game. The Celtics are not as deep at this position, and to be forced to maybe bring in a rookie Lester Hudson, the knowledge level on the floor will drop drastically.
Defense: Tie
“What? No way the Magic defenders are way better!!” “What? You gotta be kidding me the Celtics are the best defense in the league!!” Calm down.. Both teams guards depend greatly on the players behind them. Magic guards depend on Howard, and Celtics guards depend on the combo of Perk and KG. Face it, if the Celtics didn’t have the front court they have, Rondo would not be able to let players go by him, while attempting to tip the ball away. Also, the Magic guards would look much less impressive if guards who drive did not have their shot altered by the big man in the paint.
Ray Allen (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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