Orlando Magic Blog

Group Blog talking about the NBA 2009 Eastern Conference Champions. Due to the amazing success of the 2009 playoff run comments are now frequently deleted to kill offensive comments, incoherence, or asininity. Comments can no longer be anonymous and require either a Blogger or OpenID account.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

ECF Game 4: Magic 96, Celtics 92 OT... Celtics lead series 3-1


The Orlando Magic stave off elimination in a tense, exciting game, thanks to terrific efforts from Dwight Howard (32 points, 16 rebounds, 4 blocks) and Jameer Nelson (23 points, 9 assists, including two clutch threes in OT). The Magic were able to overcome 13 missed free throws and 19 turnovers, along with a 31 point effort from Boston's Paul Pierce.

The Magic finally got off to a good start, as the Celtics' had a brief lead of 5-4 before the Magic turned it on, leading by as much as 23-15 in the opening quarter. The Celtics went on a 7-1 run to cut the Magic lead to 24-22, but the Magic went into the second quarter with a 31-26 lead. The Magic maintained their lead in the second quarter, leading by as much as 42-32, but the Celtics made the game close at the half, trailing just 51-47.

The Magic led by as many as 8 points early in the third, but Boston cut the Magic lead to 56-55 with 8:06 remaining. The Magic were able to maintain their slim lead the rest of the quarter, until Ray Allen's 2 free throws in the final minute made the score 68-67 Boston going into the fourth. The Magic took the lead back right away to open the fourth, going ahead 74-70. The Celtics countered with a 6-0 run to lead 76-74 with 5:33 remaining. The Magic then went on a 11-2 run over the next 3:09 to seemingly take control of the game 85-78 with 2:24 remaining. A Ray Allen three and two Paul Pierce buckets along with a free throw tied the game at 86 with 1:16 remaining. There would be no more scoring the final 1:16, as Nelson missed a shot with 17.8 seconds remaining, and Boston could not even get a shot off in their final possession.

Both teams started slow in the OT, as the Magic missed a field goal attempt, two free throws, and committed two turnovers in the first two minutes of the OT, while the Celtics missed all four shots during that span. Nelson then made two clutch three pointers in 43 seconds, with the first three pointer banking in. Two Allen three pointers got the Celtics to within 94-92 with 1:13 remaining, but the Celtics missed their final three shots and committed a turnover while Howard's layup for the Magic with 52.7 seconds remaining provided the final margin of victory.

Magic leading scorers

Dwight Howard: 32 points (13 of 19 FGs, 6 of 14 FTs), 16 rebounds, 4 blocks, 4 turnovers
Jameer Nelson: 23 points (7 of 14 FGs, 3 of 6 3 PT FGs), 9 assists, 5 rebounds, 6 turnovers
Rashard Lewis: 13 points (4 of 10 FGs, 2 of 3 3 PT FGs), 5 rebounds, 2 steals
J.J. Redick: 12 points (3 of 5 3 PT FGs), 4 turnovers
Matt Barnes: 10 points (4 of 8 FGs, 2 of 6 3 PT FGs), 7 rebounds

Overall Game Statistics

FG%: ORL 44.6% (33 of 74) BOS 42.1% (32 of 76)
3 PT FG%: ORL 35.7% (10 of 28) BOS 27.8% (5 of 18)
FT%: BOS 76.7% (23 of 30) ORL 60.6% (20 of 33)
REB: BOS 47 (10 offensive) ORL 43 (11 offensive)
AST/TO: BOS 19/16 ORL 19/19
BENCH: ORL 15 BOS 12

Other game notes and stats:

-Three Celtics scored in double figures, led by Pierce's 32 points, but shot just 11 of 25 FGs, including 0 for 6 on threes; Ray Allen scored 22 points and shot 5 of 7 from long range, and Kevin Garnett added 14 points and 12 rebounds, but shot just 5 of 12
-Rajon Rondo of the Celtics was held to 9 points on 3 of 10 shooting and 8 assists; Glen Davis added 6 points and 7 rebounds off the bench, while Rasheed Wallace was held to 4 points on 2 of 7 shooting
-The Magic's Vince Carter scored just 3 points on 1 of 9 FGs, including 0 for 3 on threes
-Carter and Mickael Pietrus combined to shoot 1 of 13, including 0 for 6 on threes
-The "Big Three" of the Celtics (Pierce, Allen, and Garnett) scored 68 of the Celtics' 93 points
-The Celtics shot just 2 of 10 in the OT with 1 turnover, while the Magic shot 4 of 7 despite 4 OT turnovers and 3 missed free throws
-Brandon Bass finally saw action as the primary PF backup for the Magic, playing 11 minutes with 3 points and 2 rebounds, and also altered a Celtics' shot

Here is the complete recap and box score from nba.com.

posted by Mike from Illinois @ 2:38 AM  

4 Comments:

  • At 4:36 AM, Blogger Mike from Illinois said…

    Now this is the Orlando Magic team we all know and love... wow; what an effort by the guys! The fact they were able to survive so many missed FTs, turnovers, and an awful game from Carter is testament to their effort to pull this game out.

    I'm glad Brandon Bass was able to bring something in the time he played. Many Magic followers believe he is a poor fit for the Magic because 1) he is a poor defender who gets lost in rotations; 2) he is a poor rebounder, and 3) he does not pass the ball on offense.

    His energy showed up nicely on the court, and that was a nice basket he made, and hopefully he earned some more playing time in Game 5.

    What a game for Jameer, who thoroughly outplayed Rondo both offensively and defensively. He quieted his critics for at least a game.

    When Jameer plays as well as he did, D12 usually steps up his game, and that's exactly what he did.

    Well, I'm off to Orlando today, and I'll be attending Game 5 Wednesday night; the Magic have won their last 11 games with me in attendance since January of '05 (I realize that doesn't mean hardly anything, but hopefully my good karma while attending Magic games will be there again :-)

     

  • At 9:35 AM, Blogger Matt said…

    Mike:

    That is great that you are coming to Orlando, and I am sure that your good karma would again work its charm.

    What I wanted to add is that, in addition to Vince, MP had an off night too, as you have mentioned in their made field goal numbers.

    Prior to the game, I was disgusted by how Johnson, Barry, and Wilbon dismissed magic with the gestures of sweep in their own way, particularly Wilbon, for whom I have no respect, mocking a gentle dust off of his jacket. Funny enough, Stu came back after the game and embarrassingly replayed that scene.

    My theory on age factor is showing its validity. Pierce and Garnett did not look too good towards the end, and were spent. The games being played with one day of rest - now BOS having to travel, as well - could have its effects on old bodies. I expect the Magic to have an easier time in Orlando pulling off a victory, and then WATCH OUT. All the pressure would shift to BOS.

     

  • At 2:37 PM, Blogger Big Figure said…

    Yea big difference! The team played fast and turnover free early and it worked in getting the lead. Jameer's 9 assists made dwight so much better to the tune of 32 pts from dwight,and as we're finding out dwight can score without posting him up everytime down the floor. Team basketball was played last night for a change!

     

  • At 2:44 PM, Blogger Big Figure said…

    Props to SVG as well for putting in some new wrinkles. The 1-4 pick-and-roll with jameer and rashard was a good way to free rashard up,KG had been glued to him the first three games. He didnt score a whole bunch but he spread the floor making the few deep shots he took.

     

<< Home