against the front

Chapter 271 Final Rivals
Although the Kings and the Lakers met again in the Western Conference Finals, and there was no such controversial and happy situation as last time, the duel between the Kings and the Lakers still became the focus of everyone's attention. The six-game series The average ratings of the game reached an astonishing 12.6%, especially in the fourth game of the series, the peak ratings exceeded 20%, far exceeding the ratings of the Western Conference Finals last season, and even more so than the Eastern Conference Finals held at the same time. It took several blocks, so from this aspect alone, this season's Western Conference Finals was quite a success.

Although this round of the series between the Kings and the Lakers has received far more attention than the Eastern Conference finals between the Celtics and the Magic, but when it comes to the excitement of the game, the Eastern Conference finals between the Magic and the Celtics is not at all. Not inferior to the Western Conference Finals between the Kings and the Lakers, you can even use a roller coaster to describe the thrill and excitement of the process.

Compared with last season, the performance of the Celtics in the regular season this season can only be described as a cliff-like decline, because compared to last season's 62 wins and 20 losses, the Celtics' performance this season The regular season record is only 50 wins, and the ranking in the Eastern Conference is also ranked fourth in the Eastern Conference after the Cavaliers, Magic, and Eagles.

The embarrassing ranking of No. [-] in the Eastern Conference, plus the fact that the Big Three are one year older, so before the start of the playoffs, no one paid attention to the old Celtics. Almost all the media were predicting Whether the Magic can reach the finals for two consecutive years, or whether James can lead the Cavaliers to the playoffs again.

But compared to last season's highs and lows, this season's Celtics, in the midst of an aging look down, overcame obstacles all the way, easily eliminated the Heat in the first round, and went down to the semi-finals to eliminate the Celtics. The number one Cavaliers in the league, and in the division finals against the Magic, the Celtics won three games in a row and directly won the match point. The Celtics, who still hold two match points, are only one step away from eliminating the Magic and making it to the finals again.

The reason why the Celtics, who played a mess in the regular season, were able to explode so much energy in the playoffs was due to the deliberate actions of the management and coaching staff. Under such circumstances, the Celtics are no longer excessively chasing the record of the regular season, but the rest of the rest, the paddling of the water, Pierce, Garnett, Ray Allen, the Celtics Big Three The playing time and average data in the regular season of this season are all new lows in recent seasons.

By sacrificing the regular season record, the aging Big Three may have more rest time, accumulate more physical strength for the playoffs, and at the same time cultivate and promote young players in the team. It is more than one stone.

With the big three starting to paddle, Rajon Rondo, who was placed high on the management team and made his mark in the playoffs last season, has also officially started this season. With 13.7 points, 9.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds, Rajon Rondo has become the Celtics' most important and stable player outside the Big Three.

In the playoffs, Rajon Rondo's performance was also very good. In terms of points per game, he was second only to Paul Pierce, surpassed Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, and became Kyle The Specials' No. [-] scorer.

Especially in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Cavaliers, in the 6-game series, Rajon Rondo averaged 20.7 points, 11.8 assists, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. At the highest point, after Rajon Rondo played such a gold-rich series, there are already Celtics fans who have tied Rajon Rondo with the Big Three and shouted the slogan of the Big Four.

On May 2010, 5, the Eastern Conference finals ushered in the sixth matchup, and perhaps the last matchup. The Celtics, who hold the match point and are playing at home, will never let the Magic win another game. Yes, because once the Magic win today's game and tie the series to 30-3, the Celtics will lose all their advantages and even become the first team in NBA history to be reversed 3-0. team.

As for the Magic, even though the series has reached its finale, the Magic are still a little groggy and can't find their own state.

As the second place in the regular season, they have swept the Hornets and Eagles all the way. The Magic, which has not lost a game in the two rounds of the series, not only did not pay attention to the defeated Celtics before the start of the division finals, but also fantasized about sweeping the Celtics. People, returned to the finals with a record of victory, and then completed revenge on the Lakers, lifting the O'Brien Cup.

What a perfect script, what a rich imagination, but after the start of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Magic of the home game was directly fooled by the Celtics. An underwhelming Magic, under the suffocating defense of the Celtics, sent 20 of 4 shots. In the case of digging a big hole in the first quarter, the Magic lost the Eastern Conference Finals in a daze The first scene.

In the second game of the series, it was another tragic defensive battle. The overall shooting percentage of the Magic was limited by the Celtics to less than 40%. Except for Dwight Howard, several main players of the Magic and the main rotation players , The hit rate was only 30% of the shots. In the sound of iron strikes, the Magic lost another home game.

In Game 23 of the series, just when everyone thought the Magic had come to their senses, the Magic staged a rout on the road, losing to the Celtics by as much as [-] points, and they were completely dead.

But just when everyone thought the Celtics would sweep the Magic, the Magic relied on Howard and Nelson's double explosions. In the next game, they won two consecutive games and staged a roller coaster.

Although the momentum of the Magic has improved, their situation is still difficult. Perhaps until now, they still can't figure out how they lost three games in a row under the great advantage and went straight to death. !

After the Magic pulled two games in a row, the sixth game of the series undoubtedly became a very critical game, but in this critical game, the Magic lost the chain once again. Vince Carter Jameer Nelson made 15 of 6 shots, Rashard Lewis made 14 of 5 shots, 11 of 3 shots, and Matt Barnes, who played more than 20 minutes but didn't make a single shot.

Under such circumstances, even if Dwight Howard scored 28 points and 13 rebounds with extremely high efficiency, there is nothing he can do. !

After defeating the Magic 96-84 at home, the Celtics eliminated the Magic 4-2 and joined the Kings in the finals. , reached the finals for the second time.

In the last trip to the finals of the Big Three, they defeated the Lakers and brought the Celtics the 17th championship trophy in team history. This time, they will once again attack the O'Brien Cup.

(End of this chapter)