Dec

25

Celtics Shut Down Howard And Spoil Orlando’s Christmas With 86-77 Win

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap 

The Boston Celtics can now truly say they are the best team currently in the NBA Eastern Conference. Sure, going into their Christmas Day contest against the Orlando Magic Friday they had the best record in the Conference. But they had lost the two teams only previous match-up so the title felt rather hollow. Well after their 86-77 victory at the Amway Arena that title is as solid as the rock of Gibraltar.

They shut down “Superman“  AKA Orlando center Dwight Howard who did have 20 boards but  only scored 5 points in the loss. Ray Allen led Boston with 18 points while Rajon Rondo recorded a double-double. Vince Carter had a game high 27 points but he was one of just two Magic players in double figures.

 The only negative in the contest for Boston came in the last few minutes of the game when All-Star forward Kevin Garnett in an attempt to block a shot by Carter slipped and hit the hardwood like a brick. He left the game and did not come back; however both he and Celtics coach told reporters after the game that he was fine.

Neither team looked too sharp offensively in the first quarter as Orlando would be on top 19-18 at the end of the period. The Magic offense sputtered to a halt and then completely shut down in the second as they scored just 8 points in 12 minutes. Fortunately for them the Celtics did not get hot until late in the quarter or it could have been a whole uglier. However Boston would walk into the locker room at the half with a 38-27 advantage.

Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy who told reporters before the contest that he is in favor of the NBA going dark on Christmas day most likely was not a pleasant presence in the locker room at the half. What ever was said the Magic certainly came out with more focus  and energy in the third and were able to shave some off their deficit by the end of the quarter as the Celtics led 61-53 heading into the fourth.

With 1:01 left to play in the game Rashard Lewis knocked down a trey from 24 feet out and Orlando were within 3 points  at 78-75. They would never be that close  again as Boston would end the game on an 8-2 run. The Celtics would not be making Orlando fans Christmas a joyous event as they walked off the court with the victory.

Ray Allen led the Celtics with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists while Rajon Rondo just missed a triple-double as he scored 17 points, grabbed 13 boards, 8 assists and 2 steals in the victory. Tony Allen starting in place of Paul Pierce who is out 2 weeks after minor knee surgery stepped up big as he knocked down 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block. Rasheed Wallace would come off the bench with 11 points while Kevin Garnett added 11 more.

Vince Carter had a game high 27 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists. The only other player in double figures for the Magic was Rashard Lewis who scored 19 points, 3 rebounds and 1 steal. Boston improves to 23-5 and will play the Clippers in Los Angeles on Sunday while Orlando is now 22-8 and they are off until next Wednesday when they will host the Bucks.

© Copyright 2009 thesackattack


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