Magic Top Celtics 113-92, Extend Series to Six

The Orlando Magic took care of business for the second consecutive game winning 113-92. The victory extends the Eastern Conference Finals to a game-six this Friday in Boston. The Celtics will try and close out a series they led three games to nothing heading into game-four.


The past two contests the Magic have received great production from Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, and J.J. Redick. Rashard Lewis is beginning to look more comfortable after suffering through a viral infection earlier in the series.

Only four teams of the top professional sports leagues (NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB) have ever battled back from a 3-0 series deficit. Boston fans should be worried because they recently saw the Bruins lose grip of a 3-0 series lead to the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL Eastern Conference Finals.

The city of Boston was also on the winning side of being down three games to none. The Red Sox came back to beat the New York Yankees in the 2004 AL championship series.


To add insult to injury Glen Davis suffered a concussion after being struck indecently by a Dwight Howard elbow early in the third quarter. Just before Davis was injured, Celtic starting center Kendrick Perkins was given two technical fouls that were both questionable. If the technical fouls are not overturned by the league, Perkins will have to sit out game-six.

The momentum has moved in favor of the Orlando Magic. Be sure to tune this Friday, May 28, 2010 at 8:30 P.M. to catch more of this great playoff action.

The Orlando Magic Try to Hold off Elimination

Recent news trickling out of Orlando is small forward Rashard Lewis has had a viral infection and could be to blame for his recent struggles this series against the Boston Celtics. He is expected to start game-five in Orlando but had said he’s not sure how it will affect his play.

"Overall it effects you," he said after Orlando's shootaround Wednesday. "I've been throwing up. I haven't been at full strength. I've been feeling weak, my legs been feeling weak. I find myself getting tired very fast in the first quarter. You know, when you can't hold food down you have no energy in your body to go out there and perform."

Magic point guard Jameer Nelson and company finally decided to show up in game-four on Monday night winning the contest 96-92 in OT. Orlando staved off elimination making the series 3-1 in favor of the Celtics. Nelson finished with 23 points and made two key three pointers in overtime to help the magic to their first victory of the series. Magic center Dwight Howard had a double-double with 36 points and 17 rebounds but went a dreadful 6-14 from the charity stripe.


The Magic will have to start game-five with the high pace tempo they previously displayed in game-four. The Boston Celtics and have made the Magic’s three-point shooters uncomfortable this whole series.

Both teams’ benches will play a major role in how this game will be decided tonight. If J.J. Redick and Mickael Pietrus play well off the bench the Magic they will be in position to win. However, if Tony Allen and Glen Davis play well for the Celtics off the bench it could be the final home game at the Amway Arena for the Orlando Magic and fans.

Magic Route Hawks by 43 points in game 1

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard stayed out of foul trouble and delivered in an immense way throughout game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Howard contributed his first double-double of the postseason, scoring 21-points on eight of ten shooting and adding twelve assists during the Orlando Magic’s 114-71 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

Vince Carter played his most complete game of the playoffs for the Magic chipped in 20-points and Jameer Nelson continued his stellar play scoring 19-points on eight of twelve shooting, including three of five shooting from behind the 3-point line.

The Hawks came out strong in the first quarter only trailing Orlando 25-23 before the Magic began hitting their stride from 3-point land. They stroked 39.1% of their 3-point shots where as Atlanta shot a dreadful 15.4%. The Hawks starting five collectively shot 17 of 47 from the field and early foul trouble from swingman Josh Smith led to the Hawks second most lopsided playoff loss in franchise history.

Atlanta will have to regroup and forget about this game if they have any chance at winning game two this Thursday in Orlando. "It was an ugly game for us," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said.

Atlanta needs Al Horford to control rebounds and contain second chance opportunities created by the Magic’s ability to get points in the paint.

If this game is any indication of how the series will be played out, look for Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive season.