NBA Playoff Journal (May 25)
by Larry Ness
The Magic ran out to a 31-26 lead after one quarter in last night's Game of the Eastern Conference finals. After scoring an embarrassing 71 points in Game 3, it was a good start. However, the Magic couldn't keep up the pace, scoring 20, 16 and 19 points in the final three quarters. Orlando let an 85-78 lead slip away with just under 2 1/2 minutes to go in the game, as the Celtics score eight of the game's final nine points to send the contest into OT. Boston was five minutes away from the NBA Finals and the Magic five minutes away from being swept 4-0, after their own back-to-back sweeps to open the 2010 postseason.
The two teams were scoreless 2:18 into the extra period, before back-to-back threes by Nelson (the first was a 'bank job!') plus another by Ray Allen made things interesting. The Magic would hold on to win 96-92 (under players got screwed!), to send the series back to Orlando for Game 5 on Wednesday. Howard scored 32 points (13-of-19 FGs but just 6-of-14 FTs) while adding 16 rebounds. Nelson has 23, including those two HUGE threes in OT. Pierce had 32-9-11 (24.3-8.5-3.8 this series), Allen 22 and KG 14 and 12 but Rondo shot just 3-of-10 from the floor while scoring only nine points (had eight assists).
It marked the first time the Celtics have lost this postseason when holding an opponent under 100 points (had been 11-0 SU and ATS). It also ended Boston's six-game postseason winning streak. I'll talk more about Orlando's "long road back" in tomorrow's journal. Home teams are now 45-25 SU (.643) this postseason, going 41-29 (58.6 percent) ATS. There have been 34 overs, 33 unders and three pushes for those playing totals and "Zig-Zaggers" got a second straight. However, they had lost 14 of their previous 17 opportunities and remain woeful 24-32 or minus-11.2 net games this postseason.
We'll find out tonight if we have a series in the West, as the Suns try to even their series with the Lakers. Phoenix won Game 3 on Sunday, 118-109. The Suns' zone defense gave LA some trouble and we'll have to see how Jackson adjusts. After being dominated by LA's big men in the first two games, Stoudemire (42) and Lopez (20) outscored the trio of Bynum, Gasol and Odom 62-35 in Game 3. Can that really happen again in Game 4? Tune in tonight at 9:00 ET on TNT to find out. LA is favored by 1 1/2-points and the total is 221.
Good luck...Larry
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