Last season the Celtics biggest challenge was winning on the road. This season it's more complicated. The Celtics biggest challenge isn't just winning away from the Garden -- it's winning consistently. After the first three games of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Orlando Magic, the Cs have looked like two completely different teams. Now down 2-1, the glaring question is, who are the real Celtics in this series?

 

There have been two versions of the Celtics against the Magic. One team is confident, has swagger, and takes care of business with ease. The other is frantic, frazzled, and unable to follow through with their proven formula for success.

 

Offense

 

Boston Celtics

Games 1 & 3: 95.5 points, 40.7% FG, 31.7% 3PG, 38.0 rebounds, 23.5 assists

Game 2: 112 points, 51.2% FG, 45.0% 3PG, 41 rebounds, 34 assists

 

The Magic have a reputation for getting caught up in their outside game. However the Celtics have  taken on that role as well. Rather than attack Dwight Howard, who averaged four fouls per game in the first round against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Celtics danced around the big man and settled for jumpers in Game 1. They were outscored 42-22 in the paint.

 

It wasn't until they took the ball to the hole in Game 2 that they regained control and shot better than 51 percent from the field. But in Friday's loss they reverted back to the jumpers, connecting on just 43 percent.

 

The Celtics have also tried to rely on an unreliable three-point game. They struggled in Game 1, shooting 8-for-23 from long range. Even after redeeming themselves in Game 2 (45 percent 3PG), they were an ineffective 5-for-18 in Game 3.

 

One of the most glaring inconsistencies on the offensive end is the shaky performance by three-point threat Ray Allen. Even though he was not expected to put on another 51-point show like he did against the Chicago Bulls, Allen is one of the centerpieces of the Celtics scoring system. In spite of an overall lapse from the arc, he found other ways to get his shot. But as the numbers show, when he's off, so are the Celtics:

 

Game 1: 40 minutes, 9 points, 2-12 FG, 1-7 3PG, 4-4 FT

Game 2: 40 minutes, 22 points, 7-15 FG, 2-7 3PG, 6-6 FT

Game 3: 32 minutes, 8 points, 3-13 FG, 0-5 3PG, 2-2 FT

 

With Kevin Garnett and Leon Powe out of the lineup, the Celtics have to rely on Kendrick Perkins to carry the team down low. Perkins has proved that he can muscle Howard in the paint. The problem is, he doesn't always test him at the hoop.

 

Perkins has yet to take a trip to the line in Celtics losses. He averaged eight points per game in Games 1 and 3, compared to 16 in their Game 2 victory. While Perkins has always said that his main focus is defense, the absences of Garnett and Powe have made scoring a necessity.

 

Defense

 

Orlando Magic

Games 1 & 3: 106.0 points, 50.3% FG, 41.2% 3PG, 38.0 rebounds, 19.5 assists

Game 2: 94 points, 44.3% FG, 42.1% 3PG, 34 rebounds, 19 assists

 

Entering this series the Celtics knew their biggest challenge would be shutting down Howard with a depleted front line. It is inevitable that Howard, at 6'11, 265 pounds, will have his nights. But Perkins proved in Game 2 he can be stopped, holding him to just three points in the second half.

 

Unfortunately for the Celtics that was only one game. In spite of picking up five fouls in Game 3, Howard did more damage at the basket in just 27 minutes than he had all series.

 

Game 1: 43 minutes, 16 points, 6-12 FG, 4-5 FT, 22 rebounds, 3 blocks

Game 2: 36 minutes, 12 points, 5-13, FG, 2-8 FG, 12 rebounds, 0 blocks

Game 3: 27 minutes, 17 points, 7-8 FG, 3-6 FT, 14 rebounds, 5 blocks

 

Howard isn't the only offensive weapon for the Magic. One of the reasons why Garnett was so critical to the Celtics against the Magic was his ability to contain Rashard Lewis on the perimeter. He tough D prevented the Magic from spreading the floor to get Lewis open on the wing. Let's be honest, Big Baby is not the long, agile defender that Garnett is. Lewis is averaging 23 points in the Magic's victories, including 28 points in Game 3. He was held to just 17 points (6-15 FG) in Game 2.

 

After Game 3 Celtics head coach Doc Rivers told reporters, “A team that led the NBA in field goal percentage and is supposed to be a great defensive team. We sure didn't act that way tonight.”

 

Now the biggest question is, how will the Celtics act in Game 4?