I don't think it's about being more physical. Everyone is trying hard, but we're just getting out of position for the rebounds. One cause of the rebounding problem is the Magic's help-style defense, which takes the big players away from the opponents they are guarding to stop drives by the guards. They worried so much about stopping Sam Cassell and Ray Allen that they often left Williams and Johnson alone. Another problem was that Milwaukee was more physical than Orlando .
Officials usually allow more contact and more physical play around the basket in the playoffs.
Yet only the Bucks seem to understand that theory. It's more than boxing out. The Bucks went after it, pushing and shoving when they knew they could get away with it. Our big guys didn't seem sure how much contact would be allowed. They know now.