Celtics Avenge Earlier Loss Beat Up Magic 103-91

Paul Pierce scored 24 points, and Rajon Rondo scored 23 more as the Boston Celtics handily took care of the Orlando?Magic Sunday night 103-91. The win avenges an earlier loss to the Magic,?Boston’s first loss of the season. Only three teams have defeated the Celtics all year, Orlando, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Detroit Pistons who defeated the Celtics in Boston last Wednesday night for the Celtic’s first home loss. Boston shot 52.1% from the floor for the game as they went 38-73.

Boston took the lead at the end of the first quarter 27-21, and led at the half 49-42. The Celtics had a 78-64 lead at the end of the third quarter as the Magic really could never get close to Boston in the contest. The only quarter that Orlando won was the final quarter and that was only by 2 points, bringing the final margin of victory down to?12 points.

Pierce shot 8-18 from the floor. 2-5 from outside the arc, and shot a perfect 6-6 at the charity stripe for his 24 points,? he also had 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal. Apparently all this auditioning from guys like Gary Payton, and Travis Best to be the backup point guard for Boston, brought out the competitor in Rajon Rondo. Rondo in his actions, told head coach Doc Rivers and head of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge, that he could handle the status quo just fine. Rondo along with his 23 points, had 6 assists, 4 steals, 4 rebounds. Ray Allen scored 22 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, and Kevin Garnett?had a double-double for Boston 21 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks.

Dwight Howard led the way for Orlando also with a double-double, 23 points, a game high 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks. Hedo Turkoglu scored 19 points, 5 boards, 3 assists, Rashard Lewis scored 15 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal. And Maurice Evans scored 10 points off the bench, 1 rebound, 1 blocked shot. Boston is now 22-3, 14-1 at home, while Orlando is now 18-11.