At points of last night’s Orlando-Boston game the score was closer than the Suns-Lakers game the night before, but it just didn’t have that feel.  Thursday night, you always had the feeling that despite the lead being as much as 18 at some points, that the Suns were just one spurt away from getting back in the game.  In Boston last night, I never had that feeling, and Ray Allen was a large reason why.  Up 13 early in the third quarter, Ray Allen knocked down back-to-back threes extending the lead to 19, and essentially ending the game for good.  Even Stan Van Gundy talked about the importance of these threes (quote from The Baseline):

“I think after Ray’s two threes, I don’t think we quit at all, but I think what happens is your confidence and what really happens more than that is you don’t sustain your game,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. “You start doing things, trying to get it back in a hurry … instead of sticking with your game and going possession by possession.”

Let’s look at the two threes that ended Orlando’s season.

Three Pointer #1

Now, Rashard Lewis is the one at fault here.  He gets stuck covering Ray Allen as the Magic switch the first screen on the right side.  The ball gets swung around and there is a pick and roll at the opposite side, with Ray Allen standing at the top of the key. It is initially well defended, but off the ball there is some problems:

There is no reason for Rashard Lewis to be at the foul line and help when he is responsible for one of the best shooters in the history of the NBA.  That is too much space, and Ray Allen knocks it down.

Three Pointer #2

As Rondo brings the basketball up he looks to get it to Paul Pierce.  Matt Barnes goes for the steal but misses.  This sets off Orlando’s help rotation.

Rashard Lewis needs to come up and defend Paul Pierce to make sure he doesn’t shoot it.  Vince Carter needs to slide off of Ray Allen to help on Kevin Garnett on the block.  Carter does a good job of waiting until the ball is passed to go and help.

Garnett gets the ball and is well defended.  Rashard Lewis now needs to “help the helper”, meaning he needs to help out on Vince Carter’s man (which is shown by the dashed arrow), Ray Allen.  Instead, he returns to Garnett, leaving Ray Allen open.

Garnett makes the pass and Allen knocks down the three pointer.  Here is the video in real time.