Last Tic for Celtics
When the clock struck 2:30, Boston Coach Doc Rivers pulled his stars Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. There was still 2:30 left in game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals Sunday but the Celtic coach felt a 20-point deficit was too much to overcome.
It was strange to see the Celtics not battling to the final tic on the clock. It was also strange that it did not appear on the national TV broadcast that there was much of an ovation for Allen and Pierce. The crowd in Boston at the TD Banknorth Garden was probably in a bit of shock.
Rachard Lewis Pic from AllPosters.com
The defending champion Boston Celtics were about to be eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the Orlando Magic. The final score was 101-82, giving the Magic a 4-3 series victory.
Orlando dominated the game all of the way. Boston made the first basket and held that lead for 36 seconds. After that, Orlando never trailed.
Orlando went up 22-9 early on 4-4 shooting from beyond the arc. The first quarter ended 27-17 in Orlando’s favor.
Allen kept hope alive for the Celtics. The 33-year old sharp shooter had one of his best games of the series for the Celtics. He scored 23 points on 9-18 shooting. His shooting and free throws helped the Celtics get close twice in the second quarter.
Boston pulled within six, 39-33, with about three minutes left until half and they edged to within four, 42-38, with 1:35 before the break. Orlando’s Rafer Alston hit a 3-pointer for the final points before the half, giving the Magic a 45-38 lead at intermission.
Orlando maintained its small lead throughout the third quarter. Rajon Rondo sank a two pointer at the buzzer to bring Boston within five, 66-61, at the end of three quarters.
But then Orlando started the fourth quarter with a 10-0 run. That gave the Magic a 76-61 lead. The Celtics never recovered. Mickael Pietrus scored five of the 10 for Orlando and Boston missed three shots in the two minute stretch that may have decided the outcome.
Hedo Turkoglu finished the early fourth quarter run with a two-point jumper and that was fitting. It was Turkoglu’s play that led the Magic to victory.
The 6-10 forward from Turkey scored 10 points in the fourth quarter and finished with a game high 25 points. He shot a sizzling 9-12 on field goals, including 4-5 from 3-point range. Turkoglu added 12 assists and five rebounds.
Rachard Lewis had 19 points for the Magic, with Pietrus dropping 17, Alston 15 and Dwight Howard 12. Howard had 16 rebounds, including 14 on the defensive boards.
Boston entered the game with a 17-3 record in game 7’s at home. But in the end, Orlando’s balanced scoring attack, Turkoglu’s hot shooting and the absence of the injured Celtic Kevin Garnett was too much to overcome.
There will be a new champion in the NBA in 2009.
