Turnabout is Fair Play
Turns out the Boston Celtics are not the only ones with a little lucky charm on their side. Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semi-finals Thursday proved Orlando has a little magic on their side, too.
The Magic evened the series, 3-3, with an 83-75 come-from-behind win that forced a seventh game Sunday night in Boston.
It seems only fair that Orlando would pull this one out. In game 4, Boston won on a last second shot by Glen (Big Baby) Davis. In game 5, Boston trailed most of the game and overcame a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to pull out another win.
Orlando never gave up in this one and that put them in position to pull out the win in the closing minutes. The Celtics led most of the game. They were up by seven in the second quarter. Orlando fought back to within one, 46-45 at half.
Boston again pulled away in the third quarter, leading 55-45, with 7:00 go to in the third. Orlando again fought back and the quarter ended, 62-61, in Boston’s favor.
The fourth quarter stayed close and in the final two minutes, Orlando scored the last eight points of the game to secure the win.
Orlando’s Dwight Howard had a poor night at the free throw line, making only 5-12. But the last of his five successful free throws gave Orlando a one point lead, 76-75, coming up on two minutes left in the game.
After a Boston miss, Rafer Alston drove the lane for a basket that increased the Magic lead to 78-75 lead with 1:52 left. After another Boston miss, Hedo Turkoglu, who shot poorly all night, made a 3-pointer when his team really needed it to give the Magic an 81-75 lead.
Then Boston had a crucial turnover on an inbound pass with about one minute left to go. Orlando capitalized on the turnover and nailed the door shut with two free throws by Rashard Lewis with :49 to play.
Boston’s Ray Allen missed on a 3-pointer on the Celtics last possession. When Turkoglu got the rebound for Orlando, all the Magic had to do was run out the 24 second clock.
So game 7 Sunday will be a win-or-go-home game for both teams. The seven game format is so much more fun to watch than five game series. There can be several win-or-else games and when teams facing elimination battle back to win, the drama really intensifies.
This series is a great example. Boston is the defending champion but early in the series they fell behind 2-1. Two come-from-behind wins allowed them to take a 3-2 lead. Then Orlando takes game 6 to even things at 3-3.
Sunday will decide it all and both teams will leave everything on the floor. Don’t call me after 8 EDT. I’ll be watching the drama unfold. Great entertainment and it doesn’t cost a dime.
