Celtics come back from 27 down to beat the Magic, 91-83

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This post-game analysis was going to go a whole lot differently as the Celtics started off tonight’s game against the Orlando Magic. Boston fell behind early and it looked as though the Magic were going to run away with this one and avenge a historic loss in Boston.

The C’s trailed by 16 after the first quarter and by 21 at the half as Dwight Howard and Ryan Anderson scored at will allowing the Magic to build up a huge lead. Big Baby Davis had 5 points in the first quarter including a 3-point play that extended the earlier lead further for the Magic.

Mickael Pietrus, who came back from missing Monday’s game was a bright spot for the C’s early. He kept them in the game with 8 points including a couple of 3-pointers. Dwight Howard picked up a couple of quick fouls which should have allowed the Celtics to take advantage down low. However, Boston settled for outside shots that were not falling as they shot 37.5% in the first quarter. Hedo Turkoglu contributed with 4 rebounds and 3 assists early.

The Magic were taking advantage down low as they were going to the hoop and getting many easy baskets in the paint. At one point the Magic went on a 24-4 to close out the first half and also had 10 offensive rebounds which led to easy second chance points.

The second half was a 180 degree turn for the Celtics and the Magic. Kevin Garnett upped the intensity on defense and had 2 key blocks on Howard and Turkoglu as well as a steal from Howard on a drive to the hoop that allowed the C’s to get the stops needed to inch back into the game. Paul Pierce, who struggled in the first half and only had 3 points, caught fire in the second half to the tune of 21 points. He finished the game with 24 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists as he continues to round into game shape. He scored 10 of those points when it counted the most, in the 4th when The Truth hit 2 clutch 3′s to give the Celtics a lead about halfway through the 4th.

Rookie E’Twaun Moore, who has seen his playing time increase with the absence of Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo played like a 10-year veteran tonight. He had a career high 16 points on 5-6 shooting, but it was his 3-point shooting that stole the show. 4 long bombs for Moore, each a dagger in the Magic’s coffin as they melted down late it this one. That melt down and lock down D from the Celtics forced the Magic to take jump shots and a frustrated Big Baby to jack up some bricks as well.

In looking at my keys to the game, the Magic started off  on the right foot as it looked like they would put the game away from Jump Street. Dwight Howard led the way but they got easy shots for Turkoglu, Ryan Anderson and Jameer Nelson as well and outrebounded the C’s, particularly on the offense glass to build a huge lead. The Magic seemed to go away from what was successful in the first half, mostly due to the tightened up defense by the Celtics.

On the Celtics side, Avery Bradley struggled offensively but still brought his D with him down to Orlando as he harassed Nelson mightily, especially once the Celtics started coming back. Moore got the minutes down the stretch and took full advantage. The Celtics have only won 2 games this season in which they were outrebounded and tonight was one of those wins. Orlando had a 46-37 advantage on the glass and 16-9 on the offensive side. But the Celtics let Paul Pierce do his thing in the 2nd half and he led his team to its third straight victory.

Orlando will try to pick itself up after dropping a second game to the Celtics this week as they travel to New Orleans to face the Hornets. The Celtics head for home for a rematch with the Indiana Pacers, a team that has owned them in 2 previous meetings. Rajon Rondo, who was close to returning tonight, may be back for this one. CLNS Radio will have an injury update prior to the 7:30 PM start which will include an update on Jermaine O’Neal, Keyon Dooling (who left tonight’s game with a hip pointer) and the new daddy Ray Allen who welcomed a new son into the world tonight. I will be co-hosting tomorrow night’s CLNS Radio Postgame Show with none other than Matt Rury, the voice of CLNS Radio’s Celtics pre/post game shows as well as a live locker room check in from Jared Weiss.  Call us at our new toll free number, 855-CLNS-NOW!