ORLANDO, Fla. — There might always be pressure from the lucrative contract Rashard Lewis signed with the Magic, and his statistics through two games in the Eastern Conference finals aren’t making that go away.
Eleven points.
Four field goals.
About $18.8 million this season.
The highest-paid member of the Magic, Lewis’ series slump is a big reason why the Magic is in an 2-0 hole entering Game 3 at Boston on Saturday night.
And he knows it.
“After we lost that second game on our home court, it’s been tough ever since,” Lewis said after Thursday’s practice. “You don’t point the finger. You don’t want to blame. You just look yourself in the mirror and see what you could do to help this team win.”
The Magic would take anything at this point.
A clutch playoff performer in the past, Lewis has been blanketed by a revived Kevin Garnett and a relentless Celtics defense. Lewis is 4-for-17 from the field, including 1-of-9 from 3-point range.
Garnett and Co. have often face-guarded Lewis, staying with him no matter where the ball is being passed. The formula, thus far, has all but taken Lewis out of the series.
“I’m just trying to keep a hand up and run him off 3s and make him do things he doesn’t want to do,” Garnett said.
After hitting several game- winning shots in last season’s run to the NBA Finals, Lewis averaged 17 points per game in the second round against Atlanta only a couple of weeks ago. That has disappeared against a Celtics team closing fast on Orlando’s shooters.
The Magic needs “Sweet Lew” to find his shooting touch, or an unwanted summer break could be starting soon.
