Boston Celtics defeat Orlando Magic in thrilling over time game – NBA Recap
The Boston Celtics have been unable to live up to the expectations from them this season, and needed one full period of over time to put away the Orlando Magic 116-110 here on Sunday night at Amway Center in Orlando. The Celtics
faced stiff competition from the Magic, who came back into the game in the third period by outscoring the Celtics 34-22, but the Celtics used their experience in overtime to outscore the home team 14-8 and take the victory in the end. Rajon Rondo was once
again the man for the Celtics, finishing with 15 points, 16 assists and 9 rebounds on the night. Kevin Garnett scored 24 points and 10 rebounds where as Paul Pierce finished with 23 points and 5 rebounds, going 8 of 17 from the field. Jameer Nelson scored
20 points and 5 rebounds for the Magic, where as J.J. Redick finished with 21 points on 8 of 13 shooting for the night.
Both teams were neck to neck to start the game as they battled fiercely for the advantage, with the Celtics pulling away with a 12-8 lead through a three pointer by Paul Pierce. Orlando came back with back to back three pointers
by E’Twaun Moore to tie the game at 16. Leandro Barbosa scored five straight points for the Celtics near the end of the period and Courtney Lee followed with a jump shot as the Celtics lead 28-22 at the end of the first period.
Orlando opened the second period with five straight points to cut into the Celtics lead and trail 27-28. Barbosa scored the next six points, including a three, as the Celtics were back up by seven. A layup by Rondo later in the
period put them up 42-32, and the Celtics maintained a comfortable lead throughout the rest of the period to lead 58-48 at the half time break.
A three pointer by Jason Terry in the third period put the Celtics up 66-55, but the Magic came back with a 6-0 run to trail 61-66. A three pointer by Redick later in the period had the Celtics lead down to 76-72, and Nelson then
nailed a three pointer in the final minute to tie the game at 80 and followed with a jump shot to give Orlando an 82-80 lead heading into the final period.
Five quick points by the Magic to open the period had them leading 87-80, and back to back three pointers by Josh McRoberts and Arron Afflalo ensured they held on to a 95-88 advantage. The Celtics came back in the later part of
the period through a 9-0 run and took a 100-97 lead. With the game tied at 102 and a little over a minute left, the Celtics missed five attempts to win the game and the score remained unchanged at the end of regulation time, forcing both teams into overtime.
With the scores tied at 108 in overtime, Paul Pierce nailed a three pointer and Glen Davis missed his field goal attempt, giving Rondo the opportunity to extend the Celtics lead to 113-108 with a driving layup. The Celtics defended
well after that and eventually won 116-110.
Boston led 51-42 in rebounds, although the Magic shot better from the field and had 8 blocks compared to 2 by the Celtics. Afflalo finished with 15 points and 7 assists for the Magic, where as Davis had 15 points and 7 rebounds
for the night. Barbosa finished with 15 points off the bench for the Celtics, going 6 of 8 from the field.
Tags: