The big, bad blazing Boston Celtics knocked the Orlando Magic out 96-84 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals Friday at TD Garden. Boston advances to the NBA championship series, where they patiently wait the winner of the Western series between L.A. and Phoenix. The Celtics charged out to an early lead in Friday’s clincher on their way to a second NBA finals appearance in three seasons. Boston’s Paul Pierce outshined Orlando’s Dwight Howard with 31 points and 12 rebounds, and banked 4-of-5 3-pointers. Pierce, the eight time All-Star, collected nine points from the free throw line. Howard finished with 28 points and a dozen boards, while failing to take a shot from beyond the arc.
Rajon Rondo logged 35 minutes for the home team. He set the tone by driving home 12 of his 14 points in the first quarter and picked up a game high six assists along the way. Boston carved up the Magic 30-19 in the opening quarter after Orlando’s Jameer Nelson tied the game at 14-14. Nelson committed five turnovers for the sloppy Magic and scored 11 points. The Magic hardly challenged the inspired Celtics the rest of the contest. Boston blossomed their advantage to 55-42 at the half. J.J. Redick had three blocked shots for the visitors, but was held in check most of the night. Redick scored seven points in 23 minutes, the same amount as Orlando’s Rashard Lewis in half the time.
Ray Allen added 20 points, knifing his way through Orlando’s defense and sinking three from downtown in the Boston triumph. Allen exploded in the third quarter with ten of the Celtic’s 27 points. Boston’s Kevin Garnett shot 50% from the field and also scored in double figures, with 10. Orlando’s off-season acquisition, veteran Vince Carter, had 17 points as his dreams for a championship were nixed in his hometown. Carter ignited the Magic to highlight a mini-run in the second quarter as Orlando trimmed the Boston lead to 14 points. But it was Boston’s bench that answered with a promenading and pulverizing performance. Backup point guard, Nate Robinson, threw up 13 points in the second quarter to increase the Celtics’ point margin.
Boston knotted 11 of the first 13 points in the third quarter to continue their scoring prowess. Stan Van Gundy’s mediocre Magic were out-rebounded 56-44 and shot just 59% from the line. Orlando’s 20 fast-break points allowed didn’t help either. Boston’s offense broke down the Magic with a firm presentation. Kendrick Perkins delivered his only bucket, a smooth 14-footer from the baseline with one and a half minutes left in regulation to all but seal the deal for the composed Celtics.
Parting Points: Song of the day- “The Impression That I Get” by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones
A well-pitched game from Matt Cain yesterday against Arizona. It’s about time his name came up this season.
Patrick Crayton asked for an immediate release from the Cowboys. Yawn…
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment