Keys to the Series: Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics

1) Control Rajon Rondo- this is probably the most important matchup of this series. Andre Miller showed how exposed the Magic's defense can be if it does not stop the point guard.

Rafer Alston -- and later Courtney Lee -- had their moments against Miller, but in the end the 76ers found their way into the series thanks to some fantastic play from their point guard. Rajon Rondo has had a fantastic postseason and was one of the reasons Boston ended up pulling out that series against the Bulls.

Controlling the point guard position is going to be key to this series. Rondo has really taken control of the offense and creates a lot for his team. Much like Philadelphia, Boston runs a much more efficient version of Philadelphia's half-court offense -- and I mean MUCH more efficient.

Keeping Rondo out of the paint will be the most important defensive focus of this series. He is a good enough passer to find open players beneath the basket when Dwight Howard comes out to help as the defense funnels people to him.

2) Howard Howard Howard- until Kevin Garnett comes back this series is going to be eerily familiar matchup-wise to Philadelphia. The Celtics like to go big and do not like to run as much, but there is still lots of room on the inside for Howard to maneuver.

Kendrick Perkins is one of the few guys who can defend Howard one on one very well. It is going to be integral for the Magic to get the Celtics to double team him. Even then do not expect it. So Howard is going to need to establish himself early and get the Celtics to waste their fouls on him and at least sag off the shooters.

Boston does a great job defending Orlando's 3-point shooters. It is going to take another grind it out effort for the Magic to get a win. And that always starts with getting the ball to Howard. Until Garnett gets back, this is one huge advantage Orlando has.

3) Attack- the thing the Magic really struggled with against the 76ers was continuing to attack even when 3-pointers were not falling or the looks were not there. Orlando does not need 3-pointers to win. Chasing them off the line is the right strategy, but Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis are good enough to still get their points by attacking the rim.

This was a strategy neglected until Game Six in the first round.

Orlando is an inside-out team whether Howard touches the ball or not. This is how the team has to continue to operate. The Magic have to continue to look to get Rashard Lewis different looks at the basket that take him away from the 3-point line.

This is a winnable series, but it will take a more focused effort than Orlando had in the first round. The Magic have to stick with what got them to this point and rely on strong rotations on defense.