Feb

7

Orlando Plays Like Magic In Third Quarter Leads To Win Over Celtics 96-89

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap 

Back in the early to mid eighties when “CBS” broadcast the NBA they would show one game on Super Bowl Sunday; invariably it was the Boston Celtics against the Los Angeles Lakers. For those of us whose favorite sport is the Association it really was our version of the Super Bowl. Boston was back on the docket Sunday afternoon as they hosted the defending NBA Eastern Conference Champs the Orlando Magic at the “New Garden.”  The Celtics had won their last three straight games and for the first time in 2010 they had all their players back active on the roster.

Boston welcomed back Paul Pierce and key reserve Marquis Daniels as the took on Orlando but it was not enough as Vince Carter blew up in the third igniting a 36-11 period for the Magic and they defeated the Celtics 96-89. Carter who had a tough month of January had 9 of his game high 20 points during the Orlando third and Dwight Howard would record a double-double in the victory. Rajon Rondo led Boston with 17 points as the club would fall to 15-9 at their home arena.

The first period would be tight as neither team broke away and the Celtics would find themselves the owners of a paper thin advantage at the conclusion of the quarter on top 24-23. Orlando’s offense would barely register in the second as Boston would hold a 51-40 lead as the game reached the half.

However the Magic came alive in the third and the Celtics looked like they needed a road map to find the basket. With 4:35 left to play in the third Orlando would tie the game at 60-60 as Rashard Lewis drained a trey. What seemed like an instant later and Boston found themselves trailing 70-60 with 1:45 in the quarter as Jameer Nelson drove the lane putting the ball up and in.

When the smoke cleard Orlando would lead at the end of the period 76-62. Boston had one more run left in them and would cut their deficit to 94-89 with 45 seconds to play as Kevin Garnett hit a pair at the line. But they ran out of time and the Magic would hold on for the win.

Vince Carter had a game high 20 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 block while Dwight Howard had a double-double 16 points, 13 boards, 2 blocks and 1 assist. Jameer Nelson scored 15 points while Rashard Lewis added 14 more and Matt Barnes contributed 11 points in the win.

Rajon Rondo led the Celtics with 17 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds and 3 steals while Ray Allen had 14 points, 2 assists and 2 rebounds. Both Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett would score 13 points in the Celtics loss. Orlando improves to 34-17 now in second place the Eastern Conference and will host the Hornets Monday while Boston falls to 32-17 and will take on The Hornets in New Orleans on Wednesday.

 © Copyright 2010 thesackattack


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One Response to “Orlando Plays Like Magic In Third Quarter Leads To Win Over Celtics 96-89”

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