By Josh Cohen

Elated about their team’s second trip to the NBA Finals in the last three seasons, Boston Celtic fans chanted “Beat L.A., Beat L.A., Beat L.A.” in the final several minutes of Friday’s Game 6 with the expectation the Lakers will advance to The Finals.

It was a chant that the Orlando Magic hoped to hear from their fans in Game 7.

The Magic had no answer for Paul Pierce again and unlike the last two games couldn’t get into an effective offensive rhythm, falling 96-84 to the Celtics to end their season.

"It's disappointing because we put a lot into the season," Jameer Nelson said. "We still had a pretty good season as a team. We just fell short of reaching our goal."

Pierce erupted for 31 points and 13 rebounds and Ray Allen contributed 20 points for Boston, which will seek its 18th NBA championship.

Dwight Howard, meanwhile, did have another monster performance – recording 28 points and 12 rebounds. Vince Carter added 17 points for Orlando, which shot a dismal 6-of-22 from 3-point range.

Boston will play either the Lakers or the Phoenix Suns in The Finals. L.A. leads the Western Conference Finals, 3-2.

By Dan Savage

There’s a lot that can get lost in the disappointment created when a team gets eliminated from the playoffs. The main casualty of despair is forgetting all the great accomplishments they achieved along the way.

For the Magic there were a number of phenomenal moments in their 2009-10 season. Here’s a short list of perhaps the best highlights:

- Vinsanity strikes Orlando as Vince Carter erupts for a 48-point performance: WATCH

- The Magic break the NBA record for most threes made in a season: WATCH

- The Magic record 59 victories (second-best mark in the NBA) and defeat every team in the league to finish the season with a non-losing record against every squad in the association: REVISIT

- Dwight Howard is named the 2009-10 NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season when he became the first player to lead the league in rebounds and blocks in consecutive years: WATCH

- The Magic complete back-to-back sweeps to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for just the fourth time in franchise history: WATCH

By Josh Cohen

It may have been too much to ask of the Orlando Magic to climb out of a 3-0 series deficit. No team in NBA history had ever overcome such a deficit in a best-of-seven series.

After wins in Games 4 and 5, however, it felt like the Magic had the talent and the confidence to be the first NBA team to accomplish this feat. But, the very experienced and savvy Boston Celtics wanted no part of infamy. They did not want to be remembered as the first NBA team to let a 3-0 lead transform into a 4-3 loss.

Paul Pierce was extraordinary throughout the Eastern Conference Finals and Rajon Rondo demonstrated why he is one of the most improved players in the NBA.

Despite delivering another spectacular performance in Game 6 and showing throughout the series that he is the most supreme inside presence in the league, Dwight Howard didn’t get enough help from his teammates to extend the East Finals to a Game 7.

Vince Carter never found a comfort zone and struggled to keep up defensively with Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis remained inconsistent offensively and the bench, which was a staple of the Magic’s regular season success, couldn’t get into an effectual rhythm.

“Since we met as a team in September, the vision we had was us holding the trophy at the end of the season,” J.J. Redick said. “We just came up short.”

By Josh Cohen

In addition to several free agency decisions and the always-entertaining trade discussions that occur every summer, the Orlando Magic can now begin their NBA Draft assessments.

The Magic have the 29th pick in the First Round and the 59th selection in the Second Round. Last season, Orlando did not have any draft picks.

After their Eastern Conference Finals defeat to the Boston Celtics, it is very evident that the Magic need a true power forward to help Dwight Howard down low. It would be superlative for Rashard Lewis to return to his more natural small forward position.

Orlando can also use a backup point guard and another 3-point specialist, especially since J.J. Redick is a free agent.

Some possible options for the Magic include: Georgia Tech’s Gani Lawal (PF), South Florida’s Dominique Jones (SG), Butler’s Gordon Hayward (SF) and Iowa State’s Craig Brackins (PF).

Some of the most notable draft selections in Magic history include Howard, Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Webber (traded for Penny Hardaway on draft night), Nick Anderson and Mike Miller.

The 2010 NBA Draft takes place on June 24 from Madison Square Garden.

By Dan Savage

In the NBA, there’s no time for rest when you’re a General Manager.

Just ask Otis Smith. The Magic’s 2009-10 season is finished, but he already has his mind on gearing up for the team’s next campaign.

While the franchise can’t start negotiations with any free agents from opposing squads until July 1, they can start focusing on locking up some of their own players, who are about to hit the market.

Jason Williams, Anthony Johnson and Adonal Foyle are all unrestricted free agents, J.J. Redick is a restricted FA and Matt Barnes has a player option on the upcoming season.

Although most of them have hinted publicly that they would like to return, in all likelihood there will be some makeovers to this season’s roster. While Williams, Johnson and Foyle could all be retained at relatively low prices – should the organization desire to do so – Redick and Barnes present interesting cases.

Redick said Friday that he didn’t ponder free agency yet, because he was focused on the season and will now need time to process his situation. Barnes stated after the game that he wants to remain in Orlando and didn’t want to think about having to go to any other clubs.

What do you think the Magic should do in the offseason?

Try to keep entire team together for another season

Make minor changes to roster, but keep core together

Make significant changes to roster

What position should the Magic focus on in the NBA Draft?

Power Forward

Shooting Guard

Point Guard

Other