Magic and Celtics, Need I Say More?

The Boston Celtics came into town looking to break the series tie… and from the initial bounce, the Orlando Magic seemed content to let that happen.

Distracted from the tip, Vince Carter and the Orlando Magic appeared ready to take a few days off in Miami, unfortunately season break has not begun yet.  The Celtics came out thinking about the moment.  Ray Allen’s initial drive split a soft middle like a butter-knife slicing warm margarine, two points without a fight.

Boston’s swarming defense controlled the pace throughout the first quarter.  Their ability to play Dwight Howard one-on-one was effective due to Howard picking up two quick fouls.  In addition, Orlando could not find the basket as they did not make a field goal until the 9:22 mark in the first quarter and, by that time, Garnet took the crowd to school with his soft touch and outside range.  With Barnes starting for the Magic, a double technical was called early on against him and Pierce after Dwight Howard was held by Pierce.  Barnes and Pierce locked foreheads like pups claiming new territory.  Motivated by a loud crowd, Howard recorded his second blocked shot against Pierce within four minutes of the first quarter.

With 7:23 in the first, Gortat replaced Howard.  With both starting centers on the bench at the 6:29 mark of the first quarter, the Celtics offense pulled away from a struggling Magic.  Fortunately for the Magic, Nelson kept the game close by scoring ten straight points.  By the conclusion of the first quarter, the Magic fell behind 34 to 23, making only six shots from the field.

Dwight entered the second quarter and earned his third foul at the 8:34 mark and a ticket to the bench.  Looking like the first, neither team took full advantage of mistakes, missed shots, and distractions.  Vince Carter made his first field goal at 6:25 in the second while the Magic, over all, was held to making 1 three pointer out of 10 attempts.  Going into halftime, the Celtics led 51 to 40.  Recapping the first half, Celtics mishandled the ball 9 times, the Magic 10 times.  Celtics dished out 13 assists, the Magic 1.  As for shooting, the Celtics torched the net at 49% while the Magic chilled the air at 33%.  Halftime could not have come at a better moment for the Magic.

Howard, fully rested began the third quarter with an attitude.  Unfortunately for the Magic, the third quarter started much like the first half and was held to not making a field goal until the 9:40 mark, after the Celtics scored a quick five.  For the Celtics, Ray Allen seemed unstoppable, making his first 7 shots, not missing any attempts until the 8:39 mark in the third.  Feeling pressure, the magic went on a 7-0 run near the 7 minute mark only to allow the Celtics to respond with a drive of their own, pushing the lead to 15 with 5 minutes remaining in the third.  Not until 4:25 left in the third did R. Lewis get his offense working tight, scoring a quick 3 and then a 2-point kiss off the glass, racking up 9 points for the quarter.  End of the third, Celtics 72, Magic 61.

Down by 11, Van Gundy gathered his team and did what he does best.  Pumped with focus and heart, the Magic refused to hold their heads down.  The Magic bench showed why many consider them to be one of the strongest in the league.  Gortat, Redick, and Williams sparked the court with a vengeance.  With 7:45 left in the fourth, Howard’s running hook brought the Magic to a 5-point deficit and, as both teams battled back and forth, the game became tied at the 4:44 mark with Gortat’s soft 10-foot jumper.  Celtics responded to take a 2-point lead, and, seconds later, Redick is fouled while shooting a 3-pointer.  With a chance to take the lead for the first time, Redick steps up, shoots, all net. After hitting from the line the Magic take a 2-point advantage.

Deafened by an energized crowd, Pierce responds with an air ball while Lewis returns the favor with a turnover of his own.  Seconds ticking, pressure mounting, the Celtics get on the foul line after R. Lewis tangled with Pierce.  Pierce hits two freebies, score tied once again.  The back and forth continues and with 81 ticks remaining, the Magic, down by 1, call time out.  Mistakes dictate the next few seconds as Rondo hustles to the floor to gain control of a lose ball, calling a time out of his own.

Celtics bring the ball in with 64 ticks left.  Rondo drives, rolls up a shot, scores.  Celtics up by 3.  Orlando responds with another time out.  Keeping Nelson on the bench, Williams controls the lead in, passes to Redick who throws up a wish behind the arc.  Yes, wishes sometimes do come true as the score is tied.

Celtics bring the ball in, shoots, misses, the magic take yet another time out with 14.8 seconds left.  Holding for the final shot of regulation, Redick takes the ball and passes to his third option sliding down the baseline.  Lewis drives in for a lay up due to the Celtics lack of weak-side help.  Up by 2 with 1.3 ticks left in the fourth, the Celtics call time out and draw a wish of their own.  Looking for a take and shoot, Rondo passes to Wallace for a game winning 3 point attempt.  Unfortunately for the Celtics, not all wishes do come true.

Danny Huffman,
Standing on the floor with tablet in hand