The Cleveland Cavaliers may have been dubbed the team to beat in the East, but the Boston Celtics' next opponent actually is playing the best basketball in the NBA.

The Celtics will kick off the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday in Orlando against the streaking Magic, who swept their first two opponents and are 27-3 since March 1. 

But before the Magic went on a post-All Star Break tear, they compiled a 3-1 regular-season record against the Celtics. The simple presence of Dwight Howard in the post is imposing enough, while the additions of Magic’s perimeter offense and athleticism makes them a difficult matchup for the defensive-minded and deliberate Celtics squad. 

“Right now they might be the best team in the playoffs,” said Kendrick Perkins. “So we’ve got to go out there and compete with them.”

The C’s had no time to celebrate eliminating the Cavs before they had to shift their focus on this feisty club. They know challenges lie ahead (the Magic bounced the Celtics from last season‘s Eastern Conference semifinals), and they are ready to tackle the obstacles that await them in black and blue. 

MINIMIZING THE BIG MAN

After battling Shaquille O’Neal for six games, Perkins has two days off before taking on another dominating big man. 

“It’s just the playoffs. It’s not going to get any easier,” he said of guarding Howard. “It’s tough going into the next round. But that’s what I’m here for, to be a defensive stopper on the block and guard those big guys. So I can’t run from the challenge. It’s there, so I’ve just got to accept it.”

Howard averaged 12.3 points and 14.5 rebounds against the Celtics this season, and has been gaining momentum throughout the playoffs. His field goal shooting jumped from 48 percent to 84 percent between the first and second rounds, while his rebounding increased from nine to 13 boards per game. (His free throw shooting continued to be a weak point, though, shooting less then 50 percent in the postseason.) 

Even though Perkins’ numbers trail Howard’s (6.3 points, 7.3 rebounds through two rounds), he believes he can stop him with the intangibles. 

“With him, he’s just more athletic than me I think,” Perkins said. “Not stronger, but more athletic. I think that’s the difference between the two. I kind of use my weight against him, he kind of uses his athleticism, so it’s going to be interesting.”

Another key for Perkins to contain Howard is his discipline to stay on the court. Perkins was called for 25 personal fouls in six games against the Cavaliers and was often forced to the bench early on. 

That’s where the hustle of Glen Davis and Rasheed Wallace comes into play. Both reserves have to carry the momentum they had in the Eastern Conference semifinals and bring energy off the bench at a moment’s notice against the Magic. 

“We’re deep on the bench so we’ve got to have faith in our guys that are playing,“ said Perkins. “So if I do get in foul trouble, Baby and Sheed are going to come in and they’re going to supply us. It’s just all about playing hard and having heart.”

CLOSING IN ON THE PERIMETER

In spite of the Celtics' defensive prowess, the Magic’s perimeter game has repeatedly posed problems. Not only can their traditional shooters score from long range, forward Rashard Lewis stretches the floor and causes matchup problems for the Celtics big men. 

“They’re a team that’s always given us a challenge,“ said Ray Allen. “They’re shooting is what has always given us problems. Their 3-pointer, we’ve got to take that away from them. They’ve got bigs that shoot the 3. Rashard Lewis poses a problem for us.”

The Magic are shooting 38.4 percent from 3-point range in the posteason, with Mickael Pietrus hitting more than 50 percent of his shots. Lewis is right behind him, shooting better than 46 percent in the playoffs.

“Considering they’re a team that shoots a gang of 3's feeding off of Dwight Howard who’s very dominant in the post, we’re going to have to be ready. No if, ands and no buts,” said Tony Allen, who has been tasked with guarding Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. “[We have to just] listen to Tom Thibodeau as much as we can, and that’s going to be the focus.”

The Celtics will look to combat the Magic’s perimeter game with team defense and all hands on deck.

“I think we played good team defense. That’s going to be important in this series, too,” said Michael Finley. “Just to play good team defense and don’t take the challenge as a 1-on-1 challenge. It’s the Magic against the Celtics, and that’s how we have to look at it. It’s not an individual thing. We just have to play great team defense, trust each other defensively, and we’ll give ourselves a good chance.”

MAKING A POINT

Rajon Rondo has been the headliner of the Celtics postseason. He dominated the Cavaliers (20.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 11.8 assists) and showed up not only his counterparts, but the reigning MVP as well. 

But Rondo has not yet had to play against a point guard of Jameer Nelson’s caliber. Nelson is averaging 20.5 points, 5.3 assists, and shooting 52 percent from the field. Rondo’s teammates are pointing to this match up as the one to watch. 

“I think we’re going to have to stay focused on Jameer Nelson,“ said Davis. “He’s been dictating the wins and dictating what goes on out there on the court. He’s been a real floor general.”

Whereas teams were scrambling to stop Rondo, the Celtics are prepared to help Rondo stop Nelson. It goes back to the team defense, which has to be extended to all positions on the floor. 

“The playoffs shift when you look at the matchups, who’s scoring, who’s defending,” said Ray Allen. “It was me in the first round and then a little bit me and Paul [Pierce] second round. So whoever’s guarding Rashard and definitely Rondo with Jameer Nelson, we’re going to have to give a little bit of help in a lot of different areas.”