Tommy Gold's NBA PLAYOFFS 2010.05.18 Picks (49-30-2, +15.79u)

NBA PLAYOFFS (49-30-2, +15.79u) 2010.05.18 only pick:

Boston Celtics @ Orlando Magic

Finally we saw the Magics tasting a defeat. After 8 games in this playoffs, they started in the worst way their Eastern conference final. Even they were almost able to bounce back from a really bad start, the truth is that their loss by 4 points is the same than a loss by 30 points. They are down 1-0 in this series, and have to win the rest of their home games and go to Boston snap at least one game.

The Celtics have already reached their goal for the first two games. Try to go home with a tie in the series to be able to take their edge at home, and finish the series without game 7. For now, they will be able to at least get a tie when they start their 2 home games, and they have to focus there. Their main and important players are veterans, that already have the weight of a long regular season.

Even with the big entrance, where the Celtics gave all they have, they will not be able to face todays game in the same way. They can't play like there is no tomorrow, they will have to manage their roster, and give more minutes to their bench players. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce were by far the best scorers for the Celtics in game 1, but it's unlikely to see them to make another big performances.

They will be saving up for the home games a little bit, as the Magics will force a better defense in them. Garnett was another of the keys with his rebounds. But like we saw, the Magics can adjust to defend better. They were able to stop the most dangerous Celtics player lately, Rondo, and today will have to adjust a little bit to stop also the big three.

The Magics tasted a defeat in this playoffs, and that will put some angry in the field today for them. They can't lose today, as if it happens, they will be to close to the elimination. They can play a better game, and as a contenders, can't have two poor performances in a row, particularly at home. They already showed in the last quarter of game one that they are more than capable to shutdown this Celtics.

Howard dominance in the paint is unquestionable, they just have to allow less fast break points from the Celtics and play a solid game. Their defense can be much better than the last game, where he already saw some sparks of it. Magics players should, and can, make a better performance than the last game, and there is no way to see them miss this opportunity to tie the game.

Pick: Orlando Magic -7 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker

* One unit each always.