![]() "The feeling of the team right now is just focus," Pierce said. The Celtics are feeling good, but not overconfident. Before they could deliver another big blow, Matt Barnes hit a 3-pointer as the shot clock buzzer sounded in the final seconds for Orlando to trim Boston's lead to 53-51 at the half. The Celtics would go ahead by five after Howard picked up his third foul moments later. ![]() Pierce got up after a minute, clearly upset, his headband twisted to the side. Pierce was knocked in the head hard by Howard on a layup attempt in the second quarter. With the Magic feeling intense postseason pressure for the first time this year, Orlando went on a 16-2 run behind the two centers.Īll the pushing and pulling would finally spill over. It wasn't until backup center Marcin Gortat and Howard - a rare combination this season - teamed together that Orlando showed any fight. The Celtics went ahead by 11 in the first quarter. When I didn't hear it initially, I just kind of went, then I realized we should have called a timeout. We didn't make the right play there at the end." "It would have made a big difference," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. The result was a shot that didn't reach the rim. That wasted seconds and forced the Magic to take the ball out from beyond half court. "We know the Magic are a talented team and we won't take these two wins for granted."īefore the final heave, Redick also made a crucial mistake by dribbling to half court before calling timeout. "Just think our mindset was to be ready for the type of intensity they would bring after losing at home," Pierce said. After ousting LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team with the league's best record, Boston is showing no signs of stopping. Two years removed from their 17th NBA championship, the Celtics, once thought too old to contend for another title, have found their footing again. For me to step up there and miss two free throws, regardless, this doesn't sit well with me." They bring me in to make plays and deliver in crunch time. "Especially when you're on a team like this. "I don't take losses well," said Carter, Orlando's biggest offseason acquisition. Garnett and Rondo made consecutive jumpers, and after Nelson made a layup, Pierce answered with two free throws that put Boston ahead by three.Ĭarter missed two free throws with 31.9 seconds left that cost Orlando dearly. Carter's jumper gave Orlando a 90-89 lead with 3:35 remaining, and then the Celtics summoned their championship form again. They went on a 13-4 run to trim Boston's lead to 85-83 with about six minutes left. The Magic, just as they did in Game 1, found their rhythm late. The Celtics buckled down just enough to hold on in this one.Īhead 11 points early in the fourth quarter, that almost wasn't enough. ![]() "And I won't let my teammates stop believing." Jameer Nelson's desperation 3-point attempt was an airball at the buzzer, sending fans to the exits in silence. Redick scored 16 apiece for the Magic, who overcame an 11-point deficit to take a brief lead in the fourth quarter. Maybe even good enough to take down the defending conference champion Magic.ĭwight Howard had 30 points, and Vince Carter and J.J. "The team that started the season was pretty good." "I think we are becoming the team that started the season," Rivers said. The Celtics have won five straight for the first time since they rolled off 11 in a row before Christmas. Rasheed Wallace (35), Kevin Garnett (34), Ray Allen (34) and Pierce (32) are back to their winning ways. "We haven't done anything - you need four wins we have two."Īfter being hampered by injuries for much of the season, often looking slow and worn down, the Celtics are just two wins away from their second NBA finals appearance in three seasons.Īge doesn't seem to matter these days for Boston's veterans. Everywhere they go, they're going to hear how great they are. In a lot of ways, but in other ways, it's tough. "I wish we could take them to Alcatraz for four days and be on the island all by ourselves," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said about his team. Now they'll have to wait until Saturday for Game 3 in Boston. Paul Pierce scored 28 points, and Rajon Rondo had 25 as Boston bullied and bruised its way to a 2-0 series lead on the road against a Magic team that had won 14 straight until this series. Showing no signs of age, the revived Celtics took a commanding lead in the Eastern Conference finals with a 95-92 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game 2 on Tuesday night. ![]() Now the last thing they want is time off. The Boston Celtics could have used a break during parts of the season with all their injuries. Redick during the second half in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals in Orlando, Fla. ![]() Facebook Email Boston forward Glen Davis drives in for a layup past Orlando forward Rashard Lewis and guard J.J. ![]()
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