Playoffs Round 1: MAGIC v SIXERS Game 1

Much has already been made of the (admittedly) astounding comeback the Sixers pulled out in the fourth of yesterday's contest. For those who missed it, Philadelphia action hero Andre the Iguana channeled Michael Jordan with a last second fadeaway to put his team up by two with 2.2 remaining. On the other end, Hedo Turkoglu (née "Quatro," now "Turkey") flung a desperation three that missed completely.

I've discussed the results with a couple of friends back in Orlando, one of whom was present for the game, and here's the official Anesthetic Hymns conclusion. Orlando has everything it needs to rip right through the rest of this series. A strong road record, a budding Hall of Famer at the 5 (Howard), a rookie who has been known to play with the sagacity and surety of a 10-year vet (Lee), one of the most understated (if overpaid) All-Stars in the league (Lewis), a bonafide playground legend (Alston), and an aging backup PG / stained-glass window salesman who can still ball at Himalayan levels for short periods of time (Johnson). The Magic have experience and an Auerbach-esque coach behind them. Defense wins games and Orlando knows defense. The Sixers' shooting the ball so well represents more a case of stragglers' luck than any kind of proven winning formula. That's not to say that Philly didn't get it done on the defensive, but the next two games will go to show that speed and gunslinging can only carry you so far against a team as dangerous as the Magic.

Predictions for Game 2:

Expect a stronger showing from Lewis, who was coming off an injury, in Game 2 (Wednesday in Orlando). Hedo (also coming off an injury) will probably continue to slouch through the series, occasionally dazzling but also racking up TOs. He needs to get into a groove and that will take time. As much as people (including myself) will criticize his performance, his D against Iguodala on that fatal shot was impeccable. Orlando had no foul to give and he played perfectly for those few seconds. The fallaway is a nearly un-blockable, low-percentage shot that few in the league can pull off in the clutch (see MJ and Kobe highlight reels).

Lee will continue to play strong defense and contribute somewhere between 8 and 18 points. Howard will continue to be a juggernaut in the low post, where something like 28 points and 18 rebounds is very likely to happen. Alston will again rock 15 with 5-7 dimes. AJ will continue to be eye-popping AJ. Also, Pietrus was kind of a no-show in Game 1. In Game 2 we can look to him for some thrills from the baseline. Ditto for Tony Battie, though it's in the areas of defense and experience that he will contribute most.

Warlock AKA Machine AKA Gorat (Gortat) will continue to struggle, I think, but will find his footing further down the stretch. J.J. Redick will almost certainly continue to choke. If he can drill even two threes in this game I will gladly post a fervent apology.

Foyle will write an inspiring poem to be read in the locker room before Wednesday's game begins. Jeremy Richardson and Tyronn Lue will play horse for a while.

Thoughts?

Barbs?

Aspersions?

Oh, and the dreaded BOX SCORE.



You can do it if you try!