FINAL: Celtics 112, Magic 94
Celtics win (FINAL: Celtics 112, Magic 94)
An appearance by Gino with 2:26 left in the game confirmed what we already knew. The Celtics take this one, 106-88.
No more J.J. (4:45 fourth quarter, Celtics 102-81)
J.J.Redick fouled out, then picked up a technical foul and got tossed from the game for good measure.
More House (5:59 fourth quarter, Celtics 99-76)
Eddie House really has caught fire. He’s 11 of 13 from the floor and has 28 points.
Some rest (7:06 fourth quarter, Celtics 93-75)
Having earned a reprieve, Rajon Rondo has given way to Stephon Marbury late in the game.
THIRD QUARTER
It’s his House (END third quarter, Celtics 86-64)
Eddie House had 11 points in the third quarter as the Celtics put to rest any notion of a letdown heading into the final frame.
It’s his House (END third quarter, Celtics 86-64)
Eddie House had 11 points in the third quarter as the Celtics put to rest any notion of a letdown heading into the final frame.
Scuffle (0:48.6 third quarter, Celtics 83-60)
Eddie House just drained a three and might have had some words for Rafer Alston. Skip to my Lou took umbridge, and both players were called for technicals.
Where’s Paul? (1:56 third quarter, Celtics 77-57)
Paul Pierce picked up his fourth foul early in the second half and is, you guessed it, back on the bench. Three points in 10 minutes for the captain.
And they haven’t needed him.
THUNDER (2:36 third quarter, Celtics 77-54)
What a way to record a triple-double.
Rajon Rondo just drove the lane and threw down a thunderous dunk, leaving Dwight Howard watching from the lane. The dunk gave Rondo his 9th and 10th points, giving him 10 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds on the night,
House of fire (3:47 third quarter, Celtics 74-52)
Eddie House is into double-digits for the Celtics in a big way. He’s got 16 points off the bench, joining Kendrick Perkins and Ray Allen in double-figures for the Celtics.
SECOND QUARTER
Halftime (END second quarter, Celtics 61-46)
Rajon Rondo nearly had a triple-double in the first half (8 points, 12 assists, 7 rebounds) as the Celtics opened up a substantial lead here at the break.
Another weird stat: 22 minutes for Brian Scalabrine, 5 minutes for Paul Pierce, who picked up three quick fouls. The Celtics are shooting 56 percent for the game, while Orlando is down at 42 percent. Kendrick Perkins also had a monster first half with 14 points and 5 rebounds.
Offense, offense, offense (2:39 second quarter, Celtics 53-39)
The Celtics are shooting 55 percent from the floor and are scoring more efficiently than they ever did in Game 1. Rajon Rondo is a huge part of it — he’s got 8 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds already.
Pierce is gone…again (6:20 second quarter, Celtics 41-28)
Paul Pierce just picked up his third and went back to the bench. He’s played only five minutes because of foul trouble.
Largest lead (6:35 second quarter, Celtics 41-28)
Big Baby is starting to get into the act now. He pushed Dwight Howard out of the lane on the defensive end and forced a miss, then barreled down the lane and took a feed from Rajon Rondo to put the Celtics up 13.
Timeout (8:15 second quarter, Celtics 35-27)
Glen Davis is back in the game now paired with Scalabrine. It makes you wonder what the Celtics did when Scal was injured. Only 2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block in the stat sheet for Scal, but he’s been involved in just about every combination the Celtics have used. To give you an idea, Scal (14 minutes) has played more than Glen Davis and Paul Pierce combined so far. Pierce has two fouls.
A surprise (9:49 quarter, Celtics 29-24)
If this was a horse race, or an office pool, someone would have won some money picking J.J. Redick. Redick has 11 points and is Orlando’s leading scorer to this point.
FIRST QUARTER
Much better (END first quarter, Celtics 26-21)
Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen have combined for 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists in the first quarter as the Celtics have jumped out to an early lead.
Doc Rivers called on Brian Scalabrine early, and Scal has responsed, playing 10 minutes to Glen Davis’ 2 minutes. Scalabrine is more mobile on the perimiter and better able to guard some of Orlando’s gunners on the outside.
Ubiquitous (2:09 first quarter, Celtics 22-16)
Ray Allen is everywhere. The Magic have had trouble sticking with him on screens, and in turn have been fouling the Celtics shooting guard to try and keep up. Allen has been to the line four times and has 8 points and 3 rebounds.
Much better start (4:41 first quarter, Celtics 17-8)
Rajon Rondo was terrible in the first half of Game 1, but he’s off to a much better start here with 6 points, 3 assists, and 2 reboubds.
A legend enters (7:13 first quarter, Celtics 12-6)
Bill Russell just walked in with Tommy Heinsohn and sat down courtside.
Two on Pierce (8:44 first quarter, Celtics 9-4)
Paul Pierce just picked up his second personal foul. He heads to the bench in exhange for Stephon Marbury.
Hot start for C’s (8:57 first quarter, Celtics 9-4)
The Celtics have made 4 of 7 shots from the field and are out to an early lead.
Just before tip
Kevin Garnett stayed in the locker room for the anthem and player introductions. He’s on the bench now as the Celtics get things underway.
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