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Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics
NBA Playoffs: Conference Finals - Game 3 - Celtics Lead Series 2-0
Friday May 22, 2010 08:30 PM EST (ESPN)
The Line: Boston -3
Game 2: The Boston Celtics avoided another late game collapse on Tuesday night to record a 95-92 victory over the Orlando Magic to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best of seven Eastern Conference Finals. Paul Pierce led the way for the Celtics with 28 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Rajon Rondo added 25 points and 8 assists as the Celtics nearly blew a big lead for the second straight game. Up 81-70 in the opening moments of the final quarter, the Celtics looked to have the game in control until the Magic came storming back behind a 13-4 run that would cut the lead to 85-83 on a pair of JJ Redicks free throws. Orlando then pulled within one at 89-88 after two Howard free throws with 4:05 left and went in front on Carter's jumper just under 30 seconds later. However, the lead for the Magic would be short lived as the Celtics quickly got back the lead after two straight buckets that would eventually be enough to secure the victory. Dwight Howard bounced back from a poor shooting night in Game 1 to top score for the Magic with 30 points on 9-13 shooting, however he was somewhat of a lone hand as Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter and Jameer Nelson combined to score only 30 points on 11-33 shooting, which was the main reason the Magic shot just 39.4% from the floor.
Game 1:The Boston Celtics raced out to a quick start and used their trademark smothering defense the rest of the way too take down the Orlando Magic 92-88 on Sunday in the Eastern Conference finals opener. Despite the shorter break, the Celtics looked life the fresher team on Sunday as they raced out to a 22-14 lead at the first break, which soon turned into a 41-32 half time advantage. The Celtics put the foot to the accelerator to open the third term as they lead by as many as 20 points at one stage and looked to be cruising to an easy win. The Magic however had different ideas as they outscored the Celtics 30-18 in final term and got within two points on a Jameer Nelson tip in to make 90-88, however that as close as they would get as Ray Allen calmly sank two free throws to seal the victory for the Celtics. Ray Allen continued his strong postseason play scoring a game high 25 points while Paul Pierce poured in 22 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the Celtics who have now won four straight playoff games and in the process handed the Magic their first loss of the playoffs and broke their 14 game winning streak, which dated back to the regular season. The Magic, who had their lowest scoring output of the the playoffs, shot just 41% from the field and 22% from beyond the arc were led by Vince Carter who had a team high 23 points and Jameer Nelson finished the game with 20 points.
Regular Season: The Orlando Magic won three of four meetings against the Celtics in the regular season, while each team covered in two games apiece. In their first meeting of the season back in November, the Magic led by as many as 16 points, eventually running out 83-78 winners in Boston, despite being without point guard Jameer Nelson. Boston would then win the rematch on Christmas Day with a 86-77 win in Orlando.
Prediction: The equation for the Magic is pretty simple here: Win and keep this series alive or go down 3-0 and say goodbye to returning to the NBA finals for the second straight season. There's no doubt the Magic can play with this Celtics squad, they have shown signs in the first two games but have not been able to put together 48 minutes of solid basketball in either Games 1 or 2, something their going to have to change tonight if they hope to keep this series alive. We have been successful in these playoffs by backing teams with their backs up against the wall and tonight presents us with a great opportunity. The Magic are playing for their season tonight and I think they come out focused and get one game back in this series. How quickly we forget that this Magic team was 27-3 heading into this series with the Celtics. Take the Magic tonight because they simply can't afford to lose this game. It's moneyline time...
Dan's Pick: Orlando M/L
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