Battle of the bigs, swift Allen shaping Magic-Celtics series

When asked what he will remember most about his team's epic first-round series with the Chicago Bulls, Celtics coach Doc Rivers didn't need much time to answer.

"For me, advancing," Rivers said. "Really, I mean that's all, honestly. The players probably have far more memories. For a coach, it's just win the series. That's it."

If it seemed as if it took forever for the Celtics to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, that's because the series took two weeks, seven games -- including four overtime games with seven OT periods -- and 1,564 points to settle. No prior postseason series in NBA history had ever had more than two overtime games.

But third-seeded Orlando didn't make its first-round series with the Philadelphia 76ers easy either as the Magic put themselves in an early hole by losing Game 1 at home. But they regrouped, winning four of the next five, including the clincher in Philly with Dwight Howard, the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year, suspended for throwing an elbow in Game 5.

While no one expects elbows to fly in the conference semis between these two teams, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy knows better than to think either team will go softly into their summer break.

"No question, but you got Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo all playing at a high level," Van Gundy said. "Glen Davis has been outstanding. Kendrick Perkins' offense has picked up. You get to this point [and] you know it's going to be very difficult."

The Magic have won the only postseason series between the two franchises, when they took a 1995 first round series 3-1. Game 1 of this conference semifinal is Monday (8 p.m. ET, TNT).

Dwight Howard vs. Kendrick Perkins

If you were to stand Magic center Dwight Howard and Celtics center Kenrdick Perkins side-by-side, the differences between the two are quite stark.

Howard is 6-foot-11, 240 pounds and has a frame that's sponsored by the letter "V" with shoulders twice as wide as his waist. Perkins is 6-10 and 280 and looks as if his body has been molded by second graders playing with clay.

Despite the obvious differences in body type, Howard's task won't be easy. Of the teams the Magic played four times this season, Howard had his lowest scoring average against Boston at 16.8 points per game.

Also, Perkins' perpetual scowl or his ever-present mean streak are perfect for the Celtics. Samuel Dalembert, the Sixers center Howard elbowed in Game 5, is Mister Rogers compared Perkins, who likes the bump-and-grind of post and postseason play.

But because of his physical nature, Perkins tends to get into foul trouble, including getting DQ'ed twice in the Bulls series.

Watching these two go at it should be fun.

.720 -- Orlando's regular-season winning percentage this season (59-23) and Boston's regular-season winning percentage without Kevin Garnett (18-7)

1. Fatigue and the Reserves

This was the most-asked question for the Celtics as each game became more epic as their series with Chicago crawled toward the finish line. Already playing without Garnett, the Celtics starters logged heavy minutes with Perkins averaging 37.5 minutes per game on the low end and Rondo averaging 45.4 minutes on the high end. One of the reasons being was Rivers couldn't trust his bench, which was largely ineffective until Game 7.

In contrast, the Magic played one fewer game (and no overtimes) and no starter averaged 40-plus minutes with forward Rashard Lewis punching in for 39.5 minutes per game, tops on the team.

With Garnett and Powe out for the postseason, the Magic are deeper in the post with Marcin Gortat and Tony Battie and Orlando's backup point guard, Anthony Johnson, has given the Magic more quality minutes than Stephon Marbury has given the Celtics.

2. Tall Order

Orlando's front line of Howard (6-foot-11), Hedo Turkoglu (6-foot-10) and Rashard Lewis (6-foot-10) has a distinct height advantage over Perkins (generously listed at 6-foot-10), Glen Davis (generously listed at 6-foot-9) and Pierce (a legit 6-foot-6). Celtics guard Ray Allen, who had to deal with Chicago's Ben Gordon and Derrick Rose, noted the Magic can hurt teams with their size.

"They're bigger, longer and they can shoot," Allen said. "With Rashard Lewis and Turkoglu and with the bigs down low, they're not as guard oriented. There's going to be a premium now as the series shifts to our bigs and making sure they guard down low and rebound."

3. Point Guard Play

For many, Rondo's play in the first round was a revelation. For people who had watched him play all season, it was just another step in his development into an elite NBA point guard. Rondo averaged 19.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, 11.6 assists and 2.7 steals against Chicago in a performance at one point Rivers called: "Rondo being Rondo."

Rondo also showed he had a little mean streak as he clobbered Brad Miller in Game 5 and got tangled with Kirk Hinrich in Game 6.

"I was reading earlier that you guys think he's polite," Brian Scalabrine said. "He's one of the feistiest guys on our team."

Magic point guard Rafer Alson, who was acquired from the Rockets on Feb. 19, will get a chance to challenge Rondo's feistiness with his own. Alston averaged 15.6 points in the six games against Philly, but he will have his hands full with Rondo.

4. Who'll Chase Ray?

Considering that Orlando's underrated rookie, Courtney Lee, won't be making the journey north because of sinus surgery, the Magic will have the daunting task of finding someone to chase Allen around and through the litany of baseline and high-post screens the Celtics set to get him free.

J.J. Redick handled himself well in his Game 6 start in Philly with 15 points, which included a 5-for-7 performance from 3-point range. But then again, Willie Green and Louis Williams -- combined -- aren't Allen. Redick will need to gorge on carbs to have the energy to stick with Allen. Some of those duties may also fall on Mickeal Pietrus' shoulders as well.

5. Playoff Experience

The Celtics have oodles of postseason experience -- 33 games in just the last two seasons alone, including three Game 7 victories and a world championship. The Magic are 9-11 in their last three postseasons, including the 4-2 series victory over the Sixers in this year's first round.

Especially after their mega-series with the Bulls, there is nothing the Celtics haven't seen. Whatever adjustments the Magic make, the Celtics will be prepared.

Magic in six. The Celtics have too much pride and experience to allow themselves to lose in fewer games, but not enough firepower or bodies to push it to more.