Boston led for most of the game, with the Magic never even sniffing the lead until the 8:35 mark of the fourth quarter, but the defending champs were no juggernaut. Because Glen Davis picked up three first-half fouls in 3:31, Brian Scalabrine was plugged in his typical utility place-holder role, and Orlando's defense took full advantage by turning the game into a grinder.

Howard got 16 shots, but his best offensive opportunities came on putbacks, courtesy of 10 offensive rebounds that led to a 24-10 edge in second-chance points. He finished with game-highs of 23 points, 22 rebounds and three blocked shots.

Orlando made a concerted effort to get him ball in the post on its first possession, nearly turning it over since Boston expected it and doubled quickly. Howard had the Magic's first eight points while the rest of his teammates opened 0-for-9, but from there, the rest of the night became about finding rhythm when there was really very little to go around.

The feud between Howard and his coach has been squashed, and very little came of it to significantly impact the Magic's Game 6 win. Van Gundy said he thought Howard got the ball posted up less than he did on Tuesday night, essentially saying, "see, it's not the offense."

Howard played good soldier by admitting that the biggest lesson he learned out of demanding the ball through the media the other night was to "keep his mouth shut."

"I can't let my frustrations stop me from being who I am as a person," Howard said. "I guess that's my lesson. Keep my mouth shut and admit when I'm wrong."

Howard may have felt different had Orlando not come up with the winning plays in the final minutes, as it truly looked like no one had any idea what they wanted to do with the ball. Rashard Lewis became the preferred option in the post in the final minute, but the Magic quickly soured on that after Brian Scalabrine sent his shot attempt right back in his face. Rafer Alston called his own number and hit a runner to give his team a 78-75 lead, and following Rondo's aforementioned airball, Hedo Turkoglu put the game away with 1:23 left on a 3-pointer that only became a good shot on its way through the net. Prior to that make, he'd missed 10-of-12.

Still, if you gave Van Gundy the choice of whose hands he'd want the ball in in that situation, it would be Turkoglu, not Howard. That hasn't changed.

If you gave Rivers and his Celtics the choice of whether they could go back out and play another elimination or have a few days of rest for and preparation for the Cavs, you know what they would've chosen, and you know they're not where they want to be, either.

The Cavs? They're exactly where they want to be, relaxing for a few more games as two teams that look vastly inferior to them battle to the point of exhaustion.

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Jessica Rinaldi / Reuters

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