Complete Dominance

The Boston Celtics walked into game three tonight knowing they could pretty much put this series away...and they did just that.

Never taking their foot off the throats of the Orlando Magic, the Cs led wire-to-wire in this one against a team that looked like it was thinking about golf and fishing by midway through the second quarter.

The Celtics' defense was just smothering holding the Magic to just 56 points with five minutes left in the fourth...all the while contesting every shot and clogging the middle on every play while holding a consistent 20 point lead.

With 8 minutes left in the fourth...it was officially garbage time as the Celtics trotted out a lineup consisting of Vin Baker, Joe Forte, Kelvin Upshaw, Todd Day, and Acie Earl...and still went on to win by 23 points...94-71.

The Celtics had six players in double figures...yet no one had more than 20. Just balanced team play on both sides of the floor all night long. As Jeff from Celticsblog.com said following the game: This Celtics team has made a habit out of making teams give up.

Also -- if there is any one play that really shows which team wants this more...it is this one.

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel has this biting recap of Game 3. It is a great read.

I hate to get cocky after watching what happened between the Bruins and the Flyers...but basketball is different. And if the Celtics keep playing this type of defense...Orlando doesn't have a shot of coming back.