Boston Celtics vs Orlando Magic Full Game 2009 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals Game 1

Boston Celtics vs Orlando Magic Full Game 2009 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals Game 1

is number one at 29 and 12 and the Celtics at home 35-6. Third best home record in the league. The Magic controlling the opening tip. This is Rafer Alston met by Rajan Rondo. Rashard Lewis being played by Big Baby Davis. And here is Lewis for three. And it’s handled by Rondo. Rondo guarded by Alustin. Pierce being played by Turgle at the start. Turgle got picked off, able to recover. Here’s Pierce and it’s swept by Lewis. First two possessions for each team. Both good looks. One for Rashard Lewis. Wide open three and Paul Pierce going right. JJ Reenick with the lead for Howard. Offensive foul as Davis took the hit. And Dwight Howard, he felt that big baby kind of slid into him. Thought that he had avoided the contact. Nice pick and roll from Reic. And that is a good position. Take in the chest. Offensive foul by Glenn Davis. Perkins who according to Doc Rivers must stay out of foul trouble. Rejected by Howard. Perkins goes right back to it. He fumbled the dribble and lost it. We’re just underway here in Boston. Turg who fires one up. Driving hook came up short and the Celtics back in possession. Allen being played by Reic and as Jim Capers makes the caller to hold on Rafer Alustin. Under normal conditions, the Celtics would look to foul Howard as frequently as possible because he’s a very poor free throw shooter. But there aren’t many fouls to give here on the part of the Celtics who are short-handed without Kevin Garnett and Leon Poe. Here’s Perkins. Nice move and Howard with the rebound. Well, I like Perkins going at Dwight Howard trying to pick up an early second foul to get him out the game. [Applause] Howard blocked by Perkins. Pierce and another rebound for Howard. No score with two minutes gone by. Lewis backing his way. Lewis with the rebound and there is the first field goal of the game. Well, I see what Doc is going to do on the 34 pick and roll between Hedo Turkaloo and Rashard Lewis. They’re going to switch Big Baby as well as Paul Pearson. It looks like Rashard Lewis is just going to try to back down Pierce and shoot over him. And this a difficult matchup for JJ Reick defending out Ray Allen. Here’s Davis. That’s a deep shot for good baby Davis. A great freshman series for Glen Davis. Averaged 18 points was second in assist on the team behind Rondo. Third in steals and just really came into his own. Austin not able to hit. It’s deflected out. Last touch by Howard. Good job of gang rebounding by the Celtics. Well, that’s what you’re going to have to do on Dwight Howard. You got to remember he led the league in rebounding as well as block shots. So, when you talk about game rebounding, that means two players bodies on Dwight Howard all night long. Rondo hands to Allen trying to get him involved. The steal by Alustin. Right for Alustin able to lay it home. Talk about what Stan Van Gundy wants his team to play fast. let their defense somewhat set up their offense right there. Austin does a great job of coming up the steel and making the easy deuce at the other end. Braer had an outstanding game. Six against the 76ers, eight of 16, 21 points, three threes, three steals, 10 assists. Nice move by Pierce getting inside on Lewis. And that’s the one thing that Lewis cannot do against Paul Pierce is be able to guard him out on the court. And a reachin foul is caught as Rondo try to slap it away. A delay of game. And a delay of game warning. Foul on number was real lucky there not to get a technical foul for knocking the ball out of the into the stands in the front row right there. A second delay of game would mean a a technical foul. Here’s another look as Ronda was upset and slapped it into the the back court. Here’s Austin working off the pick. Lewis gets it inside. They double up on Howard. Austin lost the handle. Threeon two for the Celtics. There’s Allen with the snap. Oh, rejected emphatically by the man who led the NBA in block shots, Dwight Howard. Oh, the Celtics are going to have to remember who is down low when they’re taking the ball to the hole. Allen thinks he has a wideopen ping shot. And out of nowhere, Superman with the cape on with the block. Davis off that inbounds pass. So, the Celtics now lead it six to four. White Howard with his second block shot. And we’re early moments. Lewis passed on a three and knocks down the two. Rashard Lewis, who had a huge game six against Philadelphia, 29 points, seven rebounds, did not shoot well at the start of the series with the Sixers, but came odd in games five and six. Here is Pierce, rebounded by Perkins. [Music] [Applause] Rondo. Celtics and Magic tied at six. Game one of his best of seven. Oh, a stop by Davis Rondo. Perkins trying to keep it alive. And off that collision, the foul on Perkins. The first on Perkins. This a Celtic team that went 62 and 20 in the regular season. In the first round in that classic playoff series, beat the Bulls. Second straight 60 win season for Doc Rivers and his team. They got off to that 27-2 start. At one point they won 19 straight games and they have been doing it in the latter portion of the season without one of their star players, Kevin Garnett. Here’s Turaloo for three. Hedo Turgaloo knocks down the three-pointer and he struggled with his shot most of that first round series. Yeah, only shot 39% from the field and 33 from long distance. But that’s a welcome sight for Stan Van Gundy and the Magic. Nice pass, Davis. able to convert. Young Davis three of three from the field and really doing it at both ends. Taking a charge on Dwight Howard blocking Dwight Howard’s dunk. Howard get in good position here but pops it back out. They’re trying to get Reic involved. Reick on the drive. JJ Reick who had his best game as a pro in game number six against the Sixers. Starting for Courtney Lee. He had 15 points. hit four of four from downtown and only five starts in the regular season. Ray Allen drills it. The Magic with a one-point edge. And that’s where JJ is going to have the most trouble at the defensive end trying to guard Ray Allen. Here is Lewis. And both clubs heating up after the the slow start as we approach five minutes of play in this first quarter. Well, there’s so many weapons for the Magic. You got Dwight Howard down low which is surrounded all by jump shooters. Pier shoots for three. So the game is tied at 13. Austin turning the corner. Austin with a tear drop. Pierce had it stopped away from behind. able to recover and it’s picked off by Lewis. Rashard Lewis off the steel. Two easy turnovers, one by Ray Allen, the other by Paul Pierce that have led to breakaway layins for the Magic. Rashard Lewis after missing his first two shots has hit his last four. [Applause] Rondo slipped it inside. Perkins on the follow. What a beautiful play by Rondo. And Rondo gets into the paint and draws Dwight Howard who has to come over and help. And no one gets Kendrick Perkins off the glass. Oh, Turgal with that pass that got away. The ball back to the Celtics with just under four to go in this opening quarter. Celtics and Magic even at 15. Philadelphia, the inadvertent victim of an elbow from teammate Dwight Howard. Unfortunately for Howard, this isn’t the first time he’s taken out a fellow magician. In the last two years, Howard has accidentally injured four teammates, ranging from a scratched cornea that he gave guard Anthony Johnson last March to two concussions to Jir Nelson. He ended Tony Batis season in 2007 before it began in the September pickup. Howard feels terrible that he knocked out Lee who is still not feeling well enough to travel. But he has no intentions of softening his play with what he calls the people’s elbow, which as you know, Mark is a blatant ripoff of The Rock. The people’s elbow. All right, the Magic with a 1715 lead off yet another bucket for Rashard Lewis who has 10 points in this first quarter. Male Petrus has come on, replacing Hedo Turle. A nice fake by Pearson. Throws it out to Davis. Rebounded by Howard. I’m surprised Paul Paris didn’t go into Petus right there. He could have picked up an easy foul, especially after he left his feet. [Applause] Petus wide open for three. You will see many long rebounds here this evening because the Magic love to shoot from three-point range as do the Celtics. Pierce not able to hit that time. Orlando at 38% from downtown. But they keep firing them up. Second in the NBA in total three-pointers. Made and attempted in fact setting franchise records in both categories. Celtics do not shoot that many but uh have the best percentage from downtown in the league. Another steel. Here’s Petus from Wo back. And that’s the second turnover by Ray Allen that has led to six points on uh in the open court in turnovers for the Magic. Kale Petus has spent five years with Golden State. An excellent pickup by the Magic, although he’s had an injury hit season side as a a free agent. Shot clock is down to five. Rondo shoots for three and comes up way short. A four-point Orlando lead. [Applause] Howard gets inside. Rebounded by Perkins. He’s getting some good looks when he’s getting in there. He’s just not being able to put him down. Nice crossover by Pearson. Was able to slip through. Carl Pierce is playing at a level in this game that we hadn’t seen in that first round series against Chicago. Austin came up short, rebounded by Perkins. Pierce with seven points here in the first quarter. Pierce again on the drive and this time he’s called for an offensive foul. Offensive foul. So, the ball back to the Magic with a minute or two to go in this first quarter. Four of the seven games go to overtime. one to double overtime, one to triple overtime. These are the kind of minutes that are produced. And for an older team like the Celtics, I think that’s why Doc was so animated that he really wanted game six in Chicago so his older veteran team could rest. But I like what Ray is saying. Look, these are the playoffs. You get enough rest during the summer. We’re the defending champs and we’re going to come out and we’re going to play every game. It doesn’t matter. Rashard Lewis is six of eight from the field, 12 points. I don’t care. This is the playoffs. There’s no time to rest. We’ll rest during the summer. Ryan Scalabrady and Stefon Mbury have come on for the Celtics. So Scalabbrini now trying to deal with Lewis. Magic up by four. See Howard jumping out to help on Allen. Scalabbrini on the move and score. Ryan Scalabriti, who has come back from a stretch after suffering two concussions within a 3-day period. He had postconussion syndrome and has been a valuable guy off the bench the last couple of games. Final seconds of the quarter. Austin passed on the shot, sets it up, and Petus knocks down a three. Two ten of a second as time has run out in this first quarter. The Magic with a 2419 lead. They shoot 11 of 22 from the field led by Rashard Lewis. He’s made his last six shots, 12 points in all. When we come back, David will talk with Orlando head coach Stan Van Gundy. Welcome back to Boston where Orlando leads 24/19. Here with Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy. Did you like your defensive activity in the first quarter? Not bad. I thought that uh we worked very hard on their two main guys. I thought we did a decent job on Rondo a few too many times in the paint. Dwight coming to help and us not synced into Perkins. You obviously you talked all about your team’s trouble scoring during the regular season, but 24 points in the first quarter is not that bad, is it? I thought our ball movement was pretty good. We played on the run with the floor spread out. I think that’s key for us. Thanks, Dan. Thank you. Stan Van Gumby in his second year as head coach of the Magic, leading the team to 52 wins last season, 59 this year following a successful run with the Miami Heat. You know Tur was checked back in. Nice spin by Pierce, met by the double. Try to squeeze it through and Petrus lost the handle. So the Celtics maintain possession. Eddie House opening up this second quarter coming off a terrific game. Actually the best game easily that the Celtic bench had. That was game seven of the last series. Well, 30 bench points for the Celtics in that deciding game seven. And Galabbrina playing fantastic as well. And that was a much needed lift for Doc Rivers and the Celtics. And here is House firing. Rebounded by Turgo. How about Dwight Howard scoreless in the first quarter, although he had six rebounds and and two block shots after sitting out game six against the Sixers because of that suspension by virtue of the elbow that he delivered to Samuel Gallen and his last touch by the Magic. So the Celtics now have Marberry and House in the back court with Pierce Perkins and Scalabbrini up front. And now Glenn Davis is coming in and subbing in for Kendrick Perkins. And now this is a very small Boston Celtic team. And Glenn, big baby Davis is going to have to defend the much taller and the more athletic Dwight Howard at the other end. So I’m curious, especially as you just said, Howard off to that slow start offensively. See if the Magic try to force feed him a little bit down low at the offensive end. Nice job by Perkins. Sits down with six rebounds. Bomb with a rare shot. He has been very differential. Has not looked to shoot the ball. Throws up the running one-handed to Braden the Celtics within three. Jurgalu on the pull up. Rebounded by Marberry. Marbury played well in game seven. Marberry puts a move on a teap on Marberry with two consecutive points. What did Rivers say about Steph? He really saved us in game seven with Wondo getting off to that slow start. Oh, what a move by Petus who has played well. Male Petrus coming off the bench and he has seven points. See what the Magic do. They knocked down a few threes and the Celtics have to react to them and Petro is doing a good job of taking the ball off the dribble. House for three. A stop by the Celtics and the game is tied at 26. [Applause] Able to shed Scotty is picked up on a switch by Davis. Kept alive by Howard. That’s his first bucket. It counts and the foul. So Howard will head to the line. Foul is on is on Pierce. That’s his second. Dwight Howard right here just following the missed shot by Turkaloo. Does a good job of turning in traffic. And if you’re Paul Pierce, you’ve got to wrap Dwight Howard before he gets the ball above his shoulders. He’s too big. He’s too strong. It’s the right thing to foul him and send him to the free throw line. Only shot 60% this year, but you can’t let him have the and one. And this the first free throw of tonight’s game and he comes up way short. And in a normal situation, as you alluded to before, you would hack a Dwight, but the Celtics don’t have enough bodies with Leon Poe and Kevin Garnett out for the series. Oh, Marberry. Stefan Marberry giving us a flashback of his usual offensive gear game. Something Celtic fans have not seen. House with the rebound. Game tied at 28. Three minutes gone by. Marbury is feeling it being played here by Anthony Johnson. Mar with the lead to Davis and he kicks it back out but a foul is called. Mark Wonderlick with the call. Fouls in the paint is on Petus and Marberry the vintage Stefon Marberry taking the ball off the dribble and if you go underneath the screen he’s good enough to knock down the aggressive take the ball to the hole get into the paint and get some easy ones. Marchin Gortat secondear man out of Poland has come out for the first time. Did a good job in game six against Philadelphia when he white howled out. What a move by Marberry again. Stefan Marberry who was signed as a free agent after the Knicks bought out his contract. They came to an agreement in late February. Not a happy parting between Marberry and the Knicks. He came here was not looking to shoot the ball for the most part as Rashard Lewis who has been shooting the ball very well. Hits again seven of nine. He has 14 points. But Malberry with two assists and four of four from the field for eight points. Loses Johnson on the pit gets it to Davis. House met on a switch by Petus Marberry for three and it hits the uh the shot clock out of bounds. Well, I still like the ball movement and what Doc is talking about not settling a series of pick and rolls for the Celtics, but just a missed opportunity three-pointer by Stfan Marberry. Marberry had said a couple of weeks back game is coming along. He’s lacking his usual explosiveness. Back from an ankle injury, was not necessarily in strong basketball condition after sitting out for such a long period. Here’s House. Petus, a good defender, able to stay with him. Arberry, Allen, and House in a three-point alignment being utilized here by Doc Rivers. And an offensive foul. It is on Davis. And that’s really not Glenn Davis’s fault. That’s Ray Allen going too early on the pick and roll. He’s going to have to allow Big Baby to come and get set before he takes the ball off the dribble. Scallabbrini defending on Lewis. This is Turgaloo. Gortatubberry got caught on the 6′ 11 Gort. So he will go to the line and he struggles at the largest 58%. Here’s a look at the upcoming national television schedule tomorrow right here on TNT Atlanta and Cleveland. It’s game one of their semifinal series, followed by Dallas at Denver. Game two coverage begins at 8:00 Eastern time. Thursday on ESPN, it’s Atlanta at Cleveland, meeting in game two. And then Saturday on ABC, that series continues with an 8:00 start. So Gat hits on both. Orlando up by two. What was Doc telling us? One of those matchups he really didn’t want to see. And that’s Ray Allen guarding Hedo Turkoo. He just believes that Ray gives up too much size in trying to guard Hedo Turkin. They double up on Davis. Marbury run down by Petrus. Stefon has gone the other way in terms of looking for a shot here tonight. Hendrick Perkins getting set to return for the Celtics. Turaloo pops it back out. Here’s Anthony Johnson for three and it’s deflected out. Good hustle by Davis but not able to hold on. Well, Doc Rivers, this is a welcome sight, especially for his bench. If you can get Starberry going early, you see the nice little floater right here, tear drop over Anthony Johnson. And then Anthony Johnson goes underneath the pick and he drains the three right there. And you know, he was talking about he was being a little koi, a little shy since they signed him. But not anymore. And this the first time in his 13-year NBA career that Marberry’s team has made it past the the first round. Here’s Kirgaloo. Nice pass inside by Anthony Johnson. So with his second field goal, he has five points for Shard Lewis, the high man with 14. And now Doc Rivers takes a timeout. Six consecutive points by the Magic. They lead by four as we hit the halfway mark of this second quarter. Yeah. Four of six from the field, eight points. And yeah, he you got to remember he’s been out of basketball for almost over a year. And when the Celtics picked him up off the waiver wires, he had to get back into basketball shape, but he’s starting to round into form. But there were other questions with Stefon Marber because he had not been a popular guy in the previous teams that he had played with, and the Celtics thought about it, considered, and said, “No, we we think he’ll fit right in, particularly with the kind of club we have, a veteran team.” Here’s George getting inside and with a guy like Doc Rivers as the head coach, they felt it would work. And Stefon came with a different attitude to the Celtics, not looking to shoot. Very low-key. And this is certainly one of his more explosive stretches in the second quarter. Here’s Marber. Kick it out. Davis. Yes, there’s no question about Marber’s talent. That’s been the case throughout his career, but it’s the side issues that have hurt him. But the Celtics have a strong locker room led by Kevin Garnett and he used to play with Kevin and they understand that this is a team that just won a title and they’re very close and he knew that was under Kevin Garnett as well as Paul Pierce that he as Anthony Johnson knocked down another three for the Magic that that locker room is too strong for Steph to come in there and pull some of those shenanigans that have gone on other teams. Magic with their biggest lead up by seven. It’s an 11-2 run here by Orlando. Perkins rebounded by Gortat. So after that brief flurry by Boston. Orlando in command as Petus makes his move. He took a shove and a foul is called. And Reggie, we do have Well, Mr. Bird, are you kidding me? I mean, you sound like you’ve played basketball a couple times here and there. Of course, I love Ray Allen. In a couple years, he should break my alltime three-point mark. And what better guy to do it? He and I had very similar early game, pregame routines, and you know, I respect that from a player like a Ray Allen. I don’t know what’s on El Burn’s mind. lack of enthusiasm. Lewis way off on that three and a foul as Perkins ran Howard from behind just prior to the 24 second shot buzzer. That’s Pierce. So Pierce got him first. That’s his third. And Dwight Howard will go to the line. Here’s a programming reminder. And don’t miss the new season premiere of leverage starring Timothy Hutton this July on TNT. Dwight Howard making it back after sitting out game six against Philadelphia serving that oneame suspension for the elbow to Samuel Delenbar and he was asked what did he do as he watched the game on television the other night. He said he was with friends and family cheering and twittering. And he said he was twittering and tweeting so much he may have to go to tweet pad. Now there’s one I haven’t heard. That’s someone who has too much time on their hands. Seems to be focused in watching the the games and coming with a game plan if there possibly was going to be a game seven. Tweeting tweet. Are you kidding me? to deal with this new generation. Mar sitting down after picking up a third toy. Allen makes his first appearance. This is Allen. One on the shot clock. Bad play. Allen lost sight of the clock. 405. Paul Pierce picks up his third foul. You come in with Tony Allen. You really only have one legitimate scoreer on the floor. if you’re a Boston fan and Ray Allen. So, right now, defense is where they want to keep this under a singledigit deficit to get Paul Pierce back in the second half. Howard with the spin. He’s now one of five from the field. [Applause] And now Rondo has to reset. Rondo coming on for Stefon Marberry. We heard it from the crowd just a moment ago and that teardrop fell short. Apparently it was deflected because Rondo came up with it. Allen shot is blocked by Petri. Here’s Wondo again off the mark and the Celtics are struggling here in the second quarter. Just under three to go first half. Nice ball movement by Orlando. Davis is now defending on Howard. Nice pass. Lucas throws the layup. Missed opportunities here by the Orlando Magic and Doc Rivers does not like what he is watching and takes a timeout with the Celtics down by nine. We’ll be back to TD Bank in a moment. [Music] better than 18,000 here to see the Magic and the Celtics in game one of this best of seven. A crowd that includes, as you’d expect, bit of a Boston flavor, Doug Fluty, who is a regular Lenny Clark, one of the stars of Rescue Me and also a stand-up comic, actor, recording artist, Wahberg. One of your all-time favorites, right, Mara? And yes, several Celtic heroes from years gone by. That’s Jojo White and a couple of Hall of Famers. Tommy Heinson, Celtic broadcaster, does not look happy as he checks the scoreboard. And John Hondo Havich, one of the greats. Here’s Rondo on the penetration and it’s tipped home. So Rondo with the follow. That’s his first field goal. The Magic with a sevenpoint lead. Coming up on two minutes to play in this first half. Mark Albert, Reggie Miller, and David Aldren. Howard gets inside. That will count. And the foul. Well, did you see how deep Dwight Howard had Kindred Perkins posted up underneath the rim. That’s an excellent pass by Rashard Lewis. And look when he’s posting up right there. He is basically almost underneath the rim. Kinder Perkins could do nothing but foul right there. Six points, eight rebounds, two block shots for Dwight Howard. Let’s check in with Ernie Johnson back in our Atlanta studios. All right, Ernie. Dwight Howard again following the scoreless first quarter. He now has nine points all here in the second. at Orlando with an 18-4 run. They now lead by 12. What did Stan say? He wanted his team to play fast right now. Getting out in transition. And we continue to see jump shots being taken here by the Celtics. Well, they’re settling and Doc didn’t want his team to settle because you get lured into a false sense of security that you can just shoot with the Orlando Magic and they’re getting layups at the other end. Guess able to take advantage off the bench for nine points. Allen Tony Allen knocks it down. 4836 Orlando. Final minute to play in this first half. Omar, this game is much more important for the Orlando Magic. They’re the rested team as Hedo Turkoo takes it hard to the basket. They’re the rested team. You got to understand it was very emotional for the Celtics to get out of the first round. Romo coughed it up and Davis breaks up the fast break reaching for Al. So big baby Davis with his second foul. Celtics already over the limit and Austin will go to the line. And we talked about Doc saying stop settling. If you look at the Celtics, no free throws in this first half. Six free throws for the Magic. The Celtics have not attempted a free throw so far in this first half with 37 seconds left in this second quarter. Ray Olson, a 75% free throw shooter. After Jir Nelson was injured, general manager Otis Smith, made the deal with the Rockets, acquiring Ray for Alustin in a three team trade. He was in his fourth year with Houston. He was playing well. He’d spent time with several other teams. In fact, played for Stan Van Gundy with the Miami Heat. And Rafer’s done a good job. Jamir Nelson, a big loss for the Magic. Made it to the All-Star team. He’s out with that dislocated right shoulder. Ray Allen not able to get going and it’s deflected out of bounds. Last touch by the Celtics. Orlando with a half minute left in this first half and they’re up by 16. Well, the starting back court for the Celtics, Ray Allen, Rajan Rondo, two of 14, four points. And that was thought to be the strength in terms of a matchup with Orlando. Turgulo again. So the Magic shooting 52% from the field. 10 points for Turgal. He’s at four of seven. Rashard Lewis the high man with 14. Final seconds of the half. [Music] Perkins that was waved off would not have counted. Orlando ends this first half on a 26-6 burst. You see the Highlander Rashard Lewis 14 Turgaloo with 10. Dwight Howard all nine of his points in the second quarter along with 10 rebounds. Eight a piece for Davis and Mbury. Let’s go to David Aldridge with Rashard Lewis. Rashard, before the game, you guys talked about we have to slow down their big two of Allen and Pierce. Check. We have to play fast. Check. We have to keep Ren out of the paint. Check. I’d say yeah, we got to slow down Ray Allen. Paul Pierce, you know, last series they pretty much carried that team, especially Ray Allen. Uh Paul Pierce in a little foul trouble, but we trying to stay on red, make him take tough shots. Defensively, what are you guys doing to keep them out of the paint and keep them from getting your guys in foul trouble? You know, we we’re talking on the defensive end. and we’re jumping out on the screens. Uh we staying on on top of Ray, but when you get stops and you’re able to run out and get cross matches and you get wide open shots and it kind of spreads the floor a little bit for us. You know, we’re better team when we run. Char, thank you very much. All right. When we come back from a brief commercial break, we’ll go down to Atlanta for the T-Mobile halftime report with Ernie, Kenny, Charles, and Chris Weber breaking down the first half of game one. 17 magic in the first half. This crowd trying to rev up the Celtics as we get underway. Davis came up short. Ball knocked out of the hands of of Howard. Last touch by Perkins. So, the Magic back in possession. Let’s check in with David Aldridge. David. Well, Marva, a lot of problems for the Celtics at halftime, but it starts with Rajan Rondo. He’s just been playing like he’s asleep and they got to do something to get him going. Uh Doc Rivers said at halftime he’s not playing with any energy at all. Defensively, he said dribble penetration is killing him. You’ve talked about all year, you’ve heard Doc Rivers talk about multiple stops. This is a team that needs to get multiple stops. And he said if we don’t get multiple stops, we can’t get multiple scores. Mark. All right, David. And Rondo only two for eight, seven points. Did have 11 assists in game number seven. And it looked like a reachin foul. Then the officials conferred. Give it to 41. And apparently it’s on Davis. And that’s his third. Well, what was Doc telling us before the game that Rondo’s speed was going to be the key factor for this series? And you know, I agree with David Aldridge and Doc. Just not a lot of energy coming from Ronda tonight. Not the same energy of when he was going against Derek Rose and Kirk Hinrich in that first round against the Bulls. And here’s Pierce taking to the rim and he is fouled. The Celtics will finally get to the line. They’re low this season for a half was five free throws. Did not get to the line at all in the first half. Foul is on Howard. His second. And now on this drive, Pierce will shoot two. That was close for being an offensive foul against Paul Pierce with that off arm. But you know, Doc, there was a theme that he was telling his team. Stop settling for jump shots. Big Baby to start this third quarter. Shot a 20footer. You can’t settle for jump shots, especially against the Magic. We know that they with their offense with Reic and Rashard Lewis and Percolu being able to knock down threes, you get lured into that false sense of security that you can shoot with them and you can’t. You got to pound the ball down low. Alston and Reick open up in the back court. Lewis with Turgaloo and Howard up front. Perkins with the box out on Howard. 17-point lead for Orlando. Orlando gets it inside. could not handle it. Orlando gets it right back. This is a Magic team that went 59 to 23 in the regular season. They finished as the number three seed of the East. They won the Southeast Division, second straight season. Opening round beat the Sixers in six after trailing in that series. Two games to one. Here’s Rondo with a runner. He just cannot find the range. One of eight from the field. Reick for three. JJ Reenick. Well, that’s the dimension he brings to the floor in substitution of Courtney Lee. He stretches the floor with his three-point shooting. JJ Reic had a Duke flashback in in game six against the Sixers. Pierce had it knocked away. Selfich will put it in play with 10 on the shot clock. Crowd looking for a foul. Celtics with Rondo and Allen in the back court. Davis, Perkins, and Pierce up front. Out of five on the 24. Perkins way off and rebounded by Howard. And Dwight Howard will let Kendrick Perkins shoot that all night long. Even in a gym by himself, he’ll let him shoot that. Turaloo. So Turgo five of eight, he has 11. Look at the shooting stats. Perkins one of six. Ray Allen one of seven. Rondo one of eight. [Music] [Applause] Pierce way off on that long range attempt. Another jump shot. Settling. You’ve got to attack the basket against the Magic. Rashawn Lewis and that leads to a Boston timeout. 22nd timeout taken by Doc Rivers. It is now a 6237 Orlando lead. Rashard Lewis on fire. He has 17 points. [Music] An 80 run for the Magic and they now lead it 62- 37. Two and a half gone by in this third quarter. [Music] Foul on Reick. Reach in foul. I saw Doc talking to Rondo as they were coming out of a timeout and he’s telling them stop trying to go with the teardrop and go all the way to the rim and trying to lay the ball in. He’s being real short on his teardrop. Davis threw the layup and took a hit. Here’s Reic open for three. JJ Reick with his second from downtown. Let’s see what happens when big big baby Davis stays in the back court. Is a disadvantage for the defense at the other end for the Celtics. 11 unanswered points for the Magic. Howard able to deflect it away. See the miss here by Glenn Davis right here. Nice pass by Perkins and looked like he may have gotten hit on the top of the head, but no foul from the official, which leads to a three-point jump shot by JJ Reic at the other end. And Rondo now draws the foul. Foul by Alustin in the action. So Rondo to the line here. Brian Scalabbrini coming on for Glenn Davis. Davis leads with eight points. [Music] You go back to the midway point of the second quarter and since then Orlando has outscored Boston 37-7. [Applause] Well, you can shop the NBAtore.com for the best selection of Magic and Celtics playoff gear, including the Celtics Brotherhood t-shirt. NBAtore.com, one store, every team. So maybe these free throws can get Rondo going. If not, Doc, who had a very hot Stfan Marberry in that first quarter for the Celtics, change up bring in a little bit of Reic again who is on fire from beyond the arc. Scattered for three. Rock Scalabbrini off the bench and they knocked down a three-pointer. That gets the crowd going. Austin picked up by Pierce. Rondo. Oh, what a move by Rondo. And a foul. Rajan Rondo [Applause] with those large hands. the the wingspan, which is just amazing for a guy goes maybe six feet, six feet, 61. But nice ball fake there to get all the way to the rim. [Applause] Ken Mau walking over to the scorers table. I believe he’s checking on number seven the announcement of a foul and it’s on real. Doc Rivers was talking earlier with us about Rondo who was not his usual self in in game seven and Doc said apparently he had some stomach problems following what he called an extra spicy pregame meal in the locker room. There’s a lesson, Reggie, for you to learn. Stay away from the free food before the game. Well, I’m wondering why is he eating food in the locker room? He should have already had his pregame meal way ahead of time. Lewis on a step back. Run down by Perkins. Celtics showing some signs for the first time since back in the first quarter. Rondo gets it to Perkins. Pier on a switch. Here’s [Music] Galabbrini spinning his way. Trying to back it. Rebound Howard. Rebound number 14 for Dwight Howard. I like to see now taking the ball to the hole, not settling for jump shots. 70 run here by the Celtics. Howard backing his way rather Lewis backing his way and is fouled. So Rashard Lewis well ahead to the line. Scalabbrini picks up his first. Well, it seems like every time Rashard Lewis gets Paul Pierce on his backside. He’s just going to try to back him down cuz he feels he can shoot over him at any time. Lewis an 84% free throw shooter and his second year with Orlando after nine seasons with Seattle. a teammate of Ray Allen with the Sonics. He definitely has the size advantage over Paul Pierce. Kind of gets him in the air right there and up and under move. [Applause] It is a 22-point lead for the Magic. Rodick up the step. Oh, he scored on Howard and he drew a foul. He went right at Dwight Howard who picks up his third. Well, I like the young fella’s courage right here. going to take it to the defensive player of the year, Dwight Howard, who lead who led the league in blocks as well, takes the challenge. And Rondo chest to chess, gets the foul on Dwight Howard. Picks up his third personal. And Rondo showing us some energy here at the start of the second half. Something we did not see in the first half. Rajan Rondo, originally a firstround draft pick of the Phoenix Suns and then traded to Boston. A lot of basketball people prior to his rookie year, felt that he knew Shaky, but he he got better and better as the season progressed. Had some big games in the postseason and has really emerged this year. Re can’t find the shot. [Applause] Shot clock to five. Turgle with the clock running down. Hits from downtown. Well, when you can spread the floor like the magic and you have your small forward and power forwards able to stretch the floor. It’s tough to guard off the nice pass from Rondo. And Stan Van Gumby is upset. Takes a timeout. [Music] It’s a 6948 Patrick Lee and JJ Reic doing a little bit of everything. Knocking down the threes early splits the double, finds a wide open for the three-pointer. Trying to take game one here in Boston. Game two on Wednesday night. We’ll have it right here on TNT. Games three and four in Orlando Friday night. And then Sunday night, Austin played tight by Rondo and then Rondo got picked off. Here’s Turaloo for three. Orlando now seven of 16 from downtown. They love shooting the three-pointer. Earlier this season, they set a new NBA record for most three-pointers made in a game with 23. There’s Paul knocking it down. So that 28point lead is down to 19. I like the pep in the step by the Celtics now. Definitely their defense has picked up. Lewis for three [Music] ball. The Magic with five field goals made in this third quarter and four of them have been from beyond the the three-point line. But you can’t live and die with that shot. [Applause] Pierce getting the step on Turgaloo. Then Turtle with the recovery. Scalabbrini able to get to it. Scalabbrini on the drive. Did not want to challenge Howard. And a smart move by Scalabbrini. Got it for Perkins. Well, he felt that Howard was right behind him and he was right behind him. Perkins was wide open from a short little bunny. Howard with a strong move inside on Perkins. Well, that’s what the Magic need to do more. I agree with Charles. In that first half, Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turku weren’t really settling for the three-point shots. They were just taking one dribble going in and knocking down the 15-footer or get the ball down to Dwight Howard. Once again, Perkins is open. Batted away by Scotty. Knocked it away from Lewis. There’s Allen for three. Perkins with the rebound. A third straight possession for the Celtics. Rondo puts the move on Renick and fired it up. trying to draw the foul. Reick trying to find his spot. [Applause] Austin, [Music] there’s Turalo and a foul. Rejection, but uh after the the foul was committed by the Celtics, it is on Rondo. That’s his second. Let’s check in with David Alers. David. Well, guys, we we talked about how the Celtics have to get Rajan Rajan Rondo going, and I’m told that he was he arrived at the arena very late tonight, less than an hour before tip off. And you wonder if he was ready to go when the game started. He certainly is playing with a lot more energy here in the second half than he did in the first, guys. although one of nine, did do some damage at the uh foul line, does have seven rebounds, five assists, but has certainly picked up his pace in the second half. Ra Petus checking in now for Rashard Lewis, who departs with 18. You remember Ray Allen had that terrible game one against the Bulls when he shot one of 12 and six from three-point line. In fact, had a game-winning kind of look at at a game winner tonight. Only one of eight two points for Ray Allen. Ray the type of player who can hit a shot or two and get it going. And there’s that three-point shot by Ray Allen. Let’s see what happens from here on in. The lead is down to 16. An 186 burst by the Steelers. Petus for three and he has been playing well. Miguel Petus in 17 minutes, five of eight from the field for 12 points. That’s a tough shot against Calabbrini. Blocking foul on Petus. Orlando’s over the limit. So Pierce will go to the line when we come back. A timeout is called. And look at Petus just stare down Scallabbrini. This nice 22 footer to keep the magic up by 19. [Music] Hey take care of the ball. Keeps hitting good shots. Hey, let’s go. We got the lead. Playing well. Now we just think it’s going to end. Come on. That’s not mature play. And what Stan Van Gundy is talking about his team is settling for jump shots. He felt in the first half they were aggressive when the Celtics ran them off that three-point line of taking a couple dribbles in and knocking down shots. You believe early in this third quarter, Turkaloo along with Rashard Lewis just settling for jump shots, thinking it’s going to come easy. Two free throws for Pierce and he is now one of three at the line. Celtics did not go to the free throw line at all in the first half. And now this their 10th foul shot. 7456 Orlando as this third quarter winds down. [Applause] Oh in that collision with Rondo trying to pick him off and off the turnover. Selfich trying to take advantage. Scalabbrini for Rondo. [Applause] Here’s Pierce for three. [Applause] Austin accelerates, gets it to Petus. Have a hot hand. Allen rebounds. She took a shot for the Magic. Rondo tripped up by Alustin. And Rondo will head back to the line with the Magic over the foul limit. Third on Alustin. And the Rapers I believe taking a little bit offense to Rondo’s picking up full. He believes that he’s kind of fouling him when he’s bringing the ball up. I think that was more of a frustration foul by Ray for Austin right there against Rajan Rondo. Wow. Is that an air ball? Yes, it was. He whiffed after hitting his first six free throws. Wow. And Rondo hearing a cheers from the crowd as crowd brouging him on despite the air ball. [Applause] We’re down to two minutes to play here in the third. [Music] Austin for three. Trager continuing to shoot from downtown. Londo is fouled. He’ll head back to the line. A program reminder, don’t miss the all new season premiere of Tyler Perry’s meet the Browns. That’s May 27th at 10:9 central only on TBS. Well, let’s not hope this very funny Wondo free throw goes in this time. Celtics eight of 12 at the line overall. All those free throws here in the third. A very compassionate crowd as Rondo came up with air couple of free throws back. If Rondo knocks this down, you’re down 16 points with just under two minutes left. This is very doable for the Celtics, especially with the type of defense they’re capable of playing. Although are they capable of playing this kind of defense with Kevin Garnett and Leon Ho on the sideline? Well, they showed it in the first round against the Bulls when they needed it most. That’s a tough shot by Percol. There’s Rondo. Oh, he tried to put the brakes on as Anthony Johnson had just come on was able to recover and Rondo lost his balance. Called for the travel. It’ll be Orlando ball. 10 turnovers with 12 points for the Boston Celtics. [Applause] Erggo back in his way on Scalabbrini. [Applause] Petus’s pass deflected by Pierce. Picked off by Wondo. Rondo goes one on three and was very fortunate to draw the foul. Arjan Rondo who has really picked up his game in the third quarter will shoot two more. Well Rondo he hasn’t made a field goal in this second half but he has shot 10 free throws and going to the line for two more. So this is 12 free throws in the third quarter alone for Rajan Rondo. Foul was charged to Reic his third. On three occasions this season the Celtics that is during the regular season did come back from 16point deficits. They have trailed here tonight by as many as 28. It is now a 14-point lead for Orlando with a minute remaining in the third. Rounding all over Reick. Howard met by the double. Here’s Howard with the jump hook and a beauty. He’s been working on that hook shot this season and it has really come a long way according to head coach Stan Van Gundy. 13 points, 16 rebounds for Howard. Pierce spinning inside, finds Scalabbrini for three. That long rebound is chased out and then deflected out. Last touch by the Magic. Scalabbrini has really come in and I love the hustle off the bench. Misses the shot right here, but goes after his own loose rebound along with Paul Pierce who goes off the ankle of Hedo Turkoo. Celtics have the full 24. [Applause] and Mau went over to the scorers table to check on the time. 35 seconds left in the quarter Davis. Yes, it’s down to a 14point lead with a half minute left in the third. Nice pick and pop from Ray Allen and Glenn Davis. They’re on their feet here in Boston. Anthony Johnson. That was another three-point attempt. Deflected out and last touched by the Celtics with 11 seconds remaining. And now a loose ball foul is called. It is on Davis. First, Celtics had a foul to give right there with Dwight Howard battling for position down low for the offensive rebound when Davis just went over the back picking up his fourth foul. The Magic looking to work that clock down. 5 seconds to go in the quarter. Down to three. Two. Johnson squeezes it and with 4/10en of a second remaining in the quarter, Johnson was fouled and it puts Boston over the limit again. It’s on Davis and that is number five. Now Doc Rivers is going to have to make a huge decision here as Anthony Johnson trying to be aggressive getting into the lane goes right at the body of Glenn Davis to pick up his fifth foul here at the closing moments of the third quarter. Anthony Johnson playing for his eighth NBA team in 12 years out of the College of Charleston. Orlando signed up as a free agent. Couple of years with the Nets as the backup, Jason Kidd spent time with you as a member of the Indiana Pacers. Excellent backup, but more so in that last year. Played a lot of starter minutes because of the health of Jamal Tinsley. going to knock down wide open shots. Doesn’t turn the ball over a lot. Just a steady nice backup and Johnson hits both free throws. Just 4/10en of a second and time has run out. Celtics conclude Doc Riverset one-time head coach of the Magic. Lives in Orlando in the off season. Coach of the year honors for Doc as a head man in Orlando back in 2000. Fourth quarter is underway with that 7862 Orlando lead. Pretty fast from Reick and then Howard had it knocked away by Perkins. Pierce taking to the rim goes at Reick and he will head to the line. And that was a three-point possibility. So you can see the expression on the face of of Paul Pierce. Foul on Reic number four. Pierce two of four. at the line. And you look at what the Celtics have done here tonight as compared to that first round series against the Bulls. Ray Allen very quiet in his 33 minutes. Two of nine, just five points. Paul Pierce now looking for his 13th point. Rajan Rondo one of nine from the field. So let’s see Paul Pierce just knock down two free throws. Let’s see if Eddie House can get it going off the bench. And there’s Stefan Marberry who played fantastic in that first quarter even though Rondo came out in his third. [Applause] Kenny House had that magnificent game seven against Chicago. Led the bench attack for the Celtics. Oh, the steal by Rondo, but Johnson able to recapture. Petus with a rainbow three. The count Petus has been sensational off the bench. 15 points, six of 10 from the field, including three from downtown. House can’t find the shot. Reick closing out. Shot clock to seven. Pierce. Yes. And you’re going to have to run Paul Pierce off one of those sweet spots. As soon as he catches it up top, you’re going to have to force Paul Pierce. He wants to go right. Johnson not able to hit the runner. Back comes Pierce. [Applause] Pierce puts the move on Petus. Perkins. Good play by Reick. Ties him up. It’s a jump ball. That’s what you talked about getting your nose in on the play. JJ Reick understood that Kendrick Perkins was going to spin right back into his wheelhouse. Get your nose on the ball. Comes up with the jump ball. JJ Reick, first round pick, 11th overall, and in 2006, did not play much last year. Uh did get the playing time earlier this season. did not shoot the ball particularly well, but as we touched on earlier, had that excellent game six against the 76ers in the opening round series. Right now, you want to create a wall cuz you’re assuming Kendrick Perkins is going to out jump. And that’s exactly what the Celtics do leading to this. Yes, Eddie House from beyond the three-point line. The Magic lead is another 12. Rondo with the steel. Rondo with the pocket. It’s a 10point game. Stan Vanc wants to talk it over. And here’s the jump ball when you form a wall. And Scalabbrini does a fabulous job of screening Eddie House’s man for the wide open three and then run to We’re either going to buckle down and defend or this one’s going to the wire. We’re getting back on everything. We got to get our defense and rebounding together. We got to be back and match the transition. Well, coach, the defending champions are going to buckle down and defend. And it’s all started in this third quarter by Rondo’s pressure of Rafer Austin and then just the picking clean of Anthony Johnson. It’s been that defensive effort that has led the comeback here in the second half for the Celtics. Early third Orlando led by as many as 28 the last 10 and a half minutes. That is deflected and now Austin is called for the black horse violation. And Rondo, that’s a veteran move right here. This is a 10ear veteran move. You use the knee right there against the offensive player and the ball ricochets off his body to go into the back court. Over and back called five turnovers. for the last six minutes committed by the Magic. And now Rondo lost it as uh Austin played him tightly. Rondo try to make the turn. Boston has outscored Orlando 3416 the last 10 and a half minutes to take apart the 28-point lead. It’s now down to 10. The Magic back in possession. Lewis trying to shake off Scallabbrini and whips out. Rebound perfect. [Applause] Rondo played on a switch by Lewis. Here’s House. Rebounded by Kaloo. And Paul Pierce is begging for the ball down low. And you’ve got to get it to your go-to guy in situations like this. 3 minutes in. Fourth quarter. Howard lost it. Another Orlando turnover. [Applause] Scalabbrini had it batted away. So Boston coughs it up. This time Petus not allowed that three-point shot. Turn it over to the rim and he is fouled by Perkins. Home teams being very careless with the basketball in the beginning of this fourth quarter. [Applause] That’s number three on Perkins. Here’s a look at the upcoming national TV schedule tomorrow on TNT. Atlanta at Cleveland. It’s game one of the semifinal series between the Hawks and the Cavaliers led by the league’s most valuable player, LeBron James. That’ll be followed by Dallas of Denver. Coverage begins at 8:00 Eastern time. Thursday on ESPN Atlanta at Cleveland in game two and then Saturday on ABC game three of that series. Turgle now 0 for three at the line. He’s an 81% free throw shooter during the course of the season. And this is the worst free throw shooting team, the Magic at 71% on the year. And the reason Dwight Howard and March Gortat have their problems at the line. Scalabbrini with Lewis flying by, draws a foul and that’s a three-point situation. Scalabbrini trying to fire one up from downtown and put the fake on Lewis who commits his first. Well, we’re going to take a look at his foot. Was that a three or two? and he was definitely has a foot on the three-point line. So, this will be two free throws. But when you go against a player like a Paul Pierce every day in practice, that’s a Paul Pierce patent move right there. You do the fake, you get the guy in the air, and you just throw your body in and get the foul. Yeah, I’m getting another look at it. No question. It’s a It’s a two-point shot for Brian Scalabbrini. Scallabbrini in his eighth year out of the University of Southern Cal, a second round draft pick of the Nets back in 2001. Spent four years with New Jersey. Had some good moments. Very popular player with the Net side with Boston as a free agent wearing that headband with protective padding. He talked earlier about the two concussions are suffered by Brian within a three-day period and he’s able to make it back into the lineup and has been a valuable player off the bench for the Celtics. Has played very well here tonight. What a doc cause when someone was shooting around before game seven. Kind of got hit with a stray ball and felt a little woozy but had a fabulous game seven and Doc was like he needs to get hit in the head a little bit more often before a game if he’s going to play and shoot like that. Orlando lead is down to nine. Taloo kicks it back down. Shot clock to three. Olen for three. Rebound by Ro stepping in front of Howard. House can’t find the shot. Also able to cut him off. [Applause] Pierce. Good job by Turgaloo. Shot clock down to seven. Down to four. Rondo lost it. Here’s Ol putting the speed on and then pulls it back. Turgaloo for three. Rebounded by Howard making contact with Rondo. [Applause] [Music] House now defending on Turgaloo on the switch. [Applause] Turggaloo try to go off the glass. Smart move by Rondo. Understand he didn’t have numbers. Let’s get the ball into the hands of our playmaker Paul Pierce. Perkins trying to set the pick. He does. Pierce on a good drop and Perkins. House. That was a three-point attempt. Scotty able to get to it. Once again, the Celtics with a third straight possession. and Brock Rivers takes a timeout. Just under seven minutes to go in this fourth quarter. This has turned into a wild one here in Boston. All right, thank you David. 6 minutes 52 seconds remaining in this fourth quarter. Boston ball. They’ve trailed by as many as 28. It is down to a 9-point Orlando lead. And the foul is called a non shooting foul. It is on Petris number four for the Magic there. 13 foul. Well, I like Doc here trying to free up Ray Allen off a series of screens. See if he can get some of that hot shooting going like he did in games two through seven. All right, here’s Pierce. Rejected by Howard. Here’s Allen. Way off. Trey Allen just checked back in. Shot clock was rolling down so Allen had to pump it up. [Applause] Third block shot for Dwight Howard. The other two were early. Olston got the step. Nice move around Rondo going baseline to extend to an 8473 lead. 6.7 assists for Rafer Alston. There’s Allen with a teardrop and he was fouled. This time Ray will go to the line. He’s shaken up. [Music] Once again, it is on Petusal. Ray Allen to the line shooting two. Ray Allen to the line for the first time. One of the best free throw shooters in the league at 95% during the regular season. And in fact, he was second to Jose Calderon of Toronto. You shoot 95% from the free throw line and you’re second. That’s some hot shooting by Calderon up in Toronto. The Celtics back within nine. [Applause] Scalerini defending against Lewis with help and a six on the 24. Perkins with the rebound on the Lewis miss. Here’s Pierce taking to the rim. Rebounded by Howard. Scalabbrini back and grabs Kirgaloo who was coming on fast. Smart foul there by Scalabbrini. Take the early foul. Put the ball on the side. Set your defense. Only the second team foul on the Celtics. This is game one of the Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Magic and the Celtics. Game two here in Boston. Wednesday night. will have it for you on TNT exclusively starting at 8:00 p.m. and games three and four in Orlando. Petris with a catch and shoot. Good job by Turgaloo and takes to the basket on the reverse. Rebound Gal Brady. Allen puts the move on Lewis and is rejected. He was looking for a foul. [Applause] [Applause] Austin for three. Orlando has misfired on eight of their last nine for beyond that three-point line. Well, it’s just that the Celtics offense is so stagnant, they can’t capitalize on the pretty good defense here in this fourth quarter. [Applause] Rondo. [Applause] He is now two of 11 from the field. Celtics have certainly had their opportunities after carving into that 28-point deficit. Down by nine. Petus missed another three, but gets to the rebound and scores. Male Petrus, who was signed as a free agent after he spent five years with the Golden State Warriors, has come off the bench and hit for 17 points. Foul is called away from the ball as Petus ends up on the floor, but he’s called for number five. Look at here all the pushing and grabbing that’s going on on Ray Allen. And Ray kind of just shoves Petrus to the floor. But Mark Wonderlick is saying the first foul first, which was the grab by Male Petrus. And that put the Magic over the foul limit. So Ray Allen to the line. He’s hit two for two. [Applause] Let’s check in with Ernie Johnson back in our studios in Atlanta. Yeah, Marv. Southwest Airlines game break. You know, Kobe Bryant sat out practice on Sunday with a sore throat. But hey, he’s at Staple Center tonight for game one of the Lakers and the Rockets, which comes your way just under a half hour from now here on TNT. Let’s go back to you in Boston. All right, thank you Ernie. They’re on their feet once again here in Boston with three and a half minutes to play in the fourth quarter. Lewis with the step. It counts and the foul. What a play by Dwight Howard who will head to the line. That’s 15 points, 21 rebounds, three block shots for Howard this after the scoreless first quarter, but he’s come on strong in the second half. is when Scalabbrini got beat off the dribble. Glenn Davis had to come over and help. No one got to the body and sank of Dwight Howard. Easy put back and foul. Foul on Scalabbrini. That’s his third and a three-point play for Howard. Magic up 89 77. Oh, that’s a dangerous move by Rondo and able to get it back and pops it down. Salabbrini for three. Yes. And it looks like Rondo is hurt in that scrap for the loose ball. He did not want to touch it because the clock does not stop until he touches the ball. But that was awfully risky and Austin nearly took it away. Shot clock down to three. Turbo rebounded by Davis. The Celtics down by nine. Pierce for three. Time out. Orlando with 24 to go here in the fourth. It’s a sixpoint game. Minutes and 40 seconds remaining in this fourth quarter. Both teams have two full timeouts remaining. Orlando is over the foul limit. Celtics have a foul to give. [Applause] A battle between Lewis and Scalabbrini. Lewis was forced outside. Shot clock down to five. Out of three. The steel by Pierce. Pierce going at Congaloo. Davis with the fake. Davis to the reverse. The lead is down to four as we come up on two minutes to go on the four. And that’s a 300lb man making that punt fake in a dribble ball reverse Austin and he got the roll. Rafer Austin. Orlando mighty one and Boston 85. That stops an 80 Celtic run. Coming up on a minute and a half remaining on the fourth. Here is Pierce high off glass and he draws the foul. Well, Turkaloo did the right thing. You crowd Paul Pierce force and left but Pierce doing a good job understanding that Howard rotating over. Go straight at the body of the big fella comes up with the contact. Paul Pierce four of six at the line. An 83% free throw shooter. Here’s what’s coming up next on TNT. Game one between the Rockets and the Lakers. Kevin Harland, Doug Collins, Greg Sager on hand. We’ll have it all from Staple Center in LA. And then it’s inside the NBA. Ernie Kenny Charles, and Chris Weber will have analysis and postgame reaction from tonight’s game. Right now, Paul Pierce knocks this down. You’re down by four. All this with Ray Allen going two of 11 and only nine points. I still feel that Ray has a big shot left in him. He hasn’t been able to stroke it all night tonight. And all this with the Celtics shooting just 39% from the field. Just under a minute and a half to play in the fourth quarter. Here’s Turgaloo passed on a three and now fires. He’s been off the loose ball by Rondo. Here’s Pierce on the way. Trying to get it to do not expect the pass. Not a good play by Rondo. No, that was a terrible pass by Rondo right there on situation like that. The shot clock in your favor. Take the possession. [Applause] 50 seconds to play. Oh, the script. Chris Lawson. Another opportunity for the Selish. Allen for three. Rebound went through the hands of Davis and Orlando in possession. You cannot have shot that any better than what Ray just said. And it’s an 8sec violation. So Orlando turns it over. They failed to get it across the mid-point line in the aotted time, which is 8 seconds. Van Vani is arguing the call. The official Ken Mau demonstrating to Turgal where he was when the whistle was blown. There’s that shot by Ray Allen that would not fall. [Music] And here’s the play where Ken Mau called the 8second violation on Hedo Turkaloo and the Orlando Magic. If you look at the clock right here and you have 8 seconds to get it into the front court, Rafer elects to throw it back to Hedo. And look at his left foot as the clock’s right 16. He is still in the back court. Correct call by the official Kin Mau. Stan Van Gundy very upset. But that used to be a 10second violation. They changed it uh to eight a couple of years back and it was kind of a fair type approach by Turaloo. It was a no rush to get it over all the way. Even for peewee basketball, you’re taught 10 seconds and that is one hard rule that a lot of players forget that it’s 8 seconds to get into the front court. See timeouts remaining. Half minute left in the fourth. Four-point Magic lead. Pierce handling against Lewis. Here is Pierce. Oh, he thought it was contact. Rebounded by Lewis. And now a foul is called on the Celtics. And Pierce is hurting Tom Davis. So he’s fouled out. departs with 12 points, five rebounds, and Pierce is hurting. Well, Pierce was waiting for Ray Allen to free up on the screen, and they couldn’t free him up, so he elected to drive. And was there contact here? There was always contact, but looked like Dwight Howard went straight up. KJ Reick now checking in. Eddie House has come on. Paul Pierce remains on the floor. Orlando will put it in play. 19 seconds to go in the fourth. The Magic up by four and they get it across and now Boston. Yes, they had a foul. They try to foul couple of seconds back. Celtics are over the limit. So the Celtics are now over the foul limit. JJ Reick, who is a an excellent free throw shooter, goes to the line, 87% during the the regular season, down to 13 seconds to play. Boston coming back from a 28point deficit. However, the Magic now up by five. Kenry Perkins returns. And Perkins replaces Glenn Davis. Comes on for Davis who fouled out. And who would have thought coming into this matchup that if JJ Reic makes this free throw, he’ll have one more point than Ray Allen at 10 points to only nine points for Ray Allen here. Allen just two of 12 shooting. Rondo shoots two of 11. The Magic by six. Timeout called. We’ll be right back. [Music] 15 seconds to play here in the fourth. Well, if you’re the Celtics, you’ve got to go for a quick two right here and play the foul game. [Music] Alam will inbound and Petus will defend on the inbounds pass. And the most dangerous player is Ray Allen taking the ball out. He’s the best three-point shooter. Made 199 threes this year, shooting close to 41%. Although it has been a struggle for Ray tonight, just one of five from beyond that three-point line. They need a quick shot. Not by Perkins here. Pierce looking for the three. pops it up and it hits. It’s a three-point game, but only 6.6 to go. There’s the fouls. House makes contact with Reic, but Stan Van Gundy likes to see JJ Reic going to the line. Well, he’s an excellent free throw shooter. And you see the cross right here between Ray Allen and Paul Pierce kind of mixes it up where Howard had to switch out on Paul Pierce as he knocks down the three. So Pierce with 23 points, 12 in the fourth quarter and JJ Reick back to the line in his previous two of a moment ago at the start of the game. Reggie, you laid out what you thought would be the keys for the Magic and the Celtics. Well, we was talking about feeding Dwight Howard 16 points, 21 rebounds. points in the paint were 42-2 in favor of the Magic. And we knew that the Magic were going to knock down threes. They take a lot and they try to make a lot. Nine of 27. And was this a tired Boston Celtic team? They got out the gates real slow and the Magic jumped on top of them. And Paul Pierce again struggling from the field, but I like his intensity in the second half for the Celtics. 9590. Final seconds. Once again, Rondo flips it a little into the front court and takes a a three-pointer. And that will wrap it as the Orlando Magic overwhelmed the Boston Celtics in the first half, in particular in the second quarter with that

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