Basketball IQ

Give some credit to Orlando for showing heart in the game by coming back in the 4th quarter and not giving up, despite the Celtics playing a pretty damn good game. But the end of the game came down to simple basketball IQ and experience. Paul Pierce draws an iffy foul by getting Nelsen and Redick up in the air when he shoots and then nails those two clutch free throws. Then, on the next play, he fouls Vince Carter despite it being his 6th - another smart play. On the flip side, you have Nelsen shooting a contested three early in the shot clock, you have Vince making a nice drive and almost converting a tough lay up for a 3 point play opportunity, but instead misses the two big free throws, and then you have Redick wasting time bringing the ball up the court, waiting to call timeout too long and then the Magic don't even get a good look for a last second three pointer.

It is this precise contrast that made the difference in tonight's game - Celtics played strong, but the Magic played with a lot of heart and desperation - then at the end - couldn't smarten up.

I can't see the Celtics losing this series. Maybe not even a game.