Photograph by: Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
With the critical words of experts following them, the Orlando Magic took the court against the Boston Celtics and came away with a convincing victory. The primary criticism against the Magic was that they seemed to allow leads to evaporate. This time, however, it was Orlando who overcame an eight point third quarter deficit to secure the win.
The teams left the court neck-and-neck. Boston held a one-point edge 46-45, but the teams were essentially at square one. The Celtics were able to build to a ten-point lead in the first five minutes of the third. This lead was mainly developed by the assertive play of Celtic center Kendrick Perkins. Perkins set the tone for himself by blocking Dwight Howard less than a minute into the second half. He followed that up with a couple of buckets and a couple of big rebounds. The Celts were also aided in this period by a Magic cold shooting streak that left them five minutes into the quarter without any points.
Orlando began to change the momentum on the shoulders of Superman. Howard grabbed an offensive rebound off of a Rafer Alston miss, and grabbed the put-back points to accompany it. From there, Howard and Rashard Lewis took over. Howard left the game with 23 points and 22 rebounds; another legendary 20-20 game. Lewis added eight fourth quarter points that helped Orlando stave off elimination.
Although Paul Pierce, with 17 points and 9 rebounds, Rajon Rondo, with 19 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 assists, and Kendrick Perkins, 15 points and 10 rebounds all played well, Ray Allen failed to find his shot. Allen has played awful thus far in the series and that does not seem to be changing. He shot an abysmal 18% and was a ghost on the court. What Magic fans need to worry about is the possibility that the veteran makes up for his misses in the crucial moments of Game 7.
Where this leaves the Magic fans and players now, is a tough question. In the NBA, teams do not lose Game 7s at home. It just doesn’t happen; home teams have an 80% winning percentage. That being said, Orlando is one of the best road teams in the NBA. The Lakers were the best road team, but Orlando, Cleveland, and Boston all went 27-14. Not to mention the Magic have already won once in Boston this series, and probably should have won twice.
Both teams will get a little extra rest before the Game 7 match-up on Sunday, but whom will it benefit more? An aging Allen and Pierce? Or a younger Magic team? Another thing to consider is that JJ Redick and Hedo Turkoglu shooting a combined 3 for 20. Even with their poor performance from the field, the Magic were able to come away with a win. Common sense would say a better effort is coming on Sunday.
