The Los Angeles Lakers are now one win away from their 16th NBA Finals trip in franchise history. Thanks to Ron Artest’s buzzer-beating follow up off Kobe Bryant’s missed desperation three-point attempt.
Boston is also up, 3-2 in its own Eastern Conference Finals series versus Orlando.
However, the Celtics have given the Magic an extra boost of confidence going into Game 6, where the blue-and-whites, led by the resurgent Dwight Howard, are looking to steal another one at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston.
The Magic have done that in Game 4, behind Howard’s monster 32-point-16-rebound effort. They also followed it up with an emphatic 113-92 Game 5 win in Orlando, Florida.
Now, even though no NBA team in history has ever come back to win a series after being down, 0-3 in the series, the Magic are trying to become the first one to do the improbable.
Orlando head coach Stan Van Gundy was quoted in Yahoo! Sports as saying, “I didn’t like being in a 3-0 hole, but it’s still doable. I don’t think we’ve had a lack of belief.”
Well, the Magic were simply, magical in their last two games. Overcoming tremendous pressure considering that one loss would mean elimination.
However, Boston will have to operate with just one legitimate guy who’d try to bang up Howard in Game 6. Glen Davis is ruled out to play in Game 6 because of concussion, while Rasheed Wallace is also slowed down by a bad back.
Only Kenrick Perkins will be around to play physical against Howard after ducking a potential suspension after being thrown out in Game 5. His first of two Game 5 technical fouls, was rescinded by the league, giving him an opportunity to suit up for the embattled Celtics.
The momentum has no doubt shifted to Orlando after its last two wins. But Boston still has the lead and the home crowd to support the Celtics in Game 6.
But can the Celtics translate these advantages into a W?
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