Superman Has 20-20 Night As Magic Beats Celtics 83-75; Game 7 Sunday

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap, NBA PLAYOFFS

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard made another apperance Thursday night at the Association’s most exclusive hangout the “Club 20-20” and he led his team to an 83-75 victory over the Boston Celtics. “Superman” knocked down a game high 23 points and grabbed 22 boards to give the Magic the game six victory forcing a game seven this Sunday in Boston.

Orlando trailed the Celtics for three quarters before finally taking the lead in the final 12 minutes of the contest. Rashard Lewis added 20 points for the Magic in the victory; Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo led Boston with a double-double including 19 points in the loss.

Neither team shot particularly well in this game with Boston shooting just 41.6% (32-77 ) from the floor while Orlando shot an anemic 36.6% (30-82) for the night. However Howard who had criticized head coach Stan Van Gundy for his game five offensive blue-print was enough of a force in the game to give the Magic the victory and allow them to fight another day.

The Celtics took the lead at the end of the first quarter as they ended the period on top 25-22. Orlando would stay close in the second quarter and Boston would walk into the locker room at the half with a razor thin 46-45 advantage. Both teams looked like they needed a road map to find the bucket in the third quarter as Boston led 62-61 with the contest heading into the final period.

The Magic would take their first lead of the night with 7:37 left to play when Rashard Lewis connected on a pair at the line to give his team a 68-67 edge. The two opponents exchanged the lead until Howard split a pair at the stripe with 2:47 on the clock putting Orlando ahead to stay at at 76-75.

Dwight Howard once again accomplished the toughest feat in the NBA; scoring at least 20 points and grabbing at least 20 rebounds. “Superman” had 23 points, 22 boards, 3 blocks and 2 assists while Rashard Lewis put 20 points on the board, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Both Rafer Alston and Mickael Pietrus scored 11 points for the Magic.

Rajon Rondo recorded a double-double with 19 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals while Paul Pierce scored 17 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Kendick Perkins was the only other Celtics player to score in double figures as he also had a double-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks and 1 assist. Both Ray Allen and Glen Davis allowed fouls to take them out of being factors in the contest. The two teams will meet for one last time Sunday in Boston for game seven and the chance to advance to the Conference Finals.

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