With their backs against the wall and facing elimination down 0-3 the Orlando Magic managed to prolong their playoff lives by beating the Boston Celtics in overtime, 96-92. Magic players played together with Dwight Howard finally playing a complete game with 32 pts. & 16 rbs.,
(Howard seen here throwing down one of the MANY alley-oops delivered by nelson in game #4)17 of them in the first half, and Jameer Nelson added 23 pts and 9 dimes. The Magic led after the first quarter by 6 pts. as they scored the most points they have all series.
The Celtics definitely had their chances late in the OT to come away with a close-out win but Paul Pierce missed two 3pt. attempts with 9.6 seconds left.
Pierce finished with 32 pts. and 11 rbs., Ray Allen 22 pts, on 5-7 from 3 pt. land, and Kevin Garnett chipped in 14 pts. and 12 rbs. Rajon Rondo, playing with foul issues since the 1st quarter never really got into his normal rhythm and could only muster 9 pts., 3 rbs. & 8 assts. Rondo also suffered a thigh injury so we will keep an eye on it to see if it limits his movement as much as it did in Game #4, as he was a step behind Nelson for most of the game after suffering the injury.
As the same goes in other pro championship games you rarely see sweeps or shutouts at this level of the playoffs. Stan Van Gundy coached an expert game as he stretched the game by resting his starters early and using his bench early and often.
That move allowed the starters to stay fresh and most of all out of foul trouble. Game #5 is scheduled for Wednesday, 5-26, 2010 in Orlando at 8:30 on ESPN.
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