Is it possible that the Orlando Magic have too much of a good thing?

 

Not only do they boast one of the best big men in the NBA, they also have one of the deepest lineups of three-point shooters in the league. So who wins you games?

 

On Monday night, the Magic took Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Celtics from outside. But that doesn't mean that was the best way to play the game.

 

Dwight Howard is the centerpiece of the Magic. Their offense is run through his 21 points per game and he has developed into one of the most unstoppable forces in the paint. Not only does Howard do damage with the ball, he also draws the double team and allows his sharpshooting teammates to get open on the wing.

 

The Magic, however, stopped getting the ball down low in the second half. Howard scored just seven of his 16 points in the final two quarters and only got to the line once.

 

“They played great defense tonight,” Howard said of the Celtics. “They pushed me out, I didn't get into a good rhythm. Kendrick (Perkins) kept a body on me and that's what he's supposed to do. I have a lot of respect for Kendrick and he makes me a better player, something I look forward to next game. Me and Pat (assistant coach Patrick Ewing) will watch film, see what I need to do so that it won't be another night like tonight.”

 

While Perkins enforced tough defense on Howard, he only played 15 minutes in the second half. The Magic missed out on an opportunity to expose the absence of Kevin Garnett and Leon Powe. Glen Davis was sidelined with foul trouble and Howard had the undeniable advantage over Brian Scalabrine. Doc Rivers didn't even attempt to put Mikki Moore on him.

 

But the Magic nearly squandered a 28-point lead and were outscored 54-41 in the second half. They watched the Celtics chip away at the deficit by going inside while their own long-range shooting went cold. Nonetheless, the Magic stand by their decision to go outside.

 

“We play the game, we take what the defense gives us,” said Rafer Alston. “We're unselfish, we know if we drive to the basket and teams collapse, we'll kick it out to some three-point shooter. And we have some pretty good ones.”

 

The Magic shot just 33-percent from the field in the second half. More noticeably, they shot just 6-for-19 from three point range in the final two quarters. That stat, though, doesn't concern them.

 

“I don't think it's an adjustment that we've talked about. They were really loading up on Dwight, especially at the halfcourt, and we were able to find guys on the weak side. The majority of our threes were not off a play to shoot a three. They were just playing to the weak side and that's what the defense was giving us,” said J.J. Redick, adding, “That's who we are. That's part of our game, outside shooting. Obviously Dwight's going to get a lot of touches and he's going to demand a lot of attention. We've just got to take our shots if they're there. It messes our offense up if we don't.”

 

Even though Howard's main focus is defense – he was quick to point out that's what wins game -- the Magic have to get him the ball in this series. Their decision to stop feeding him down low nearly cost them the win. It is a choice they will have to change to win this series.

 

“That's the good thing about the playoffs,” said Hedo Turkoglu. “Every game is a new game and we prepare and try to do better stuff in the next game. We'll have time to watch some film and talk about it and try to do a better job int the second game.”