NBA Game Summary - Boston at Orlando
(Sunday, November 25th)
Final Score: Boston 116, Orlando 110 (OT)
Orlando, FL (Sports Network) - Rajon Rondo turned in another solid
performance, falling one rebound shy of a triple-double in the Boston Celtics'
116-110 victory over the Orlando Magic in overtime.
Rondo notched 15 points and 16 assists, tying John Stockton for second-most
consecutive games with at least 10 assists. It was the 37th straight game
Rondo has accomplished the feat.
Kevin Garnett and Brandon Bass each recorded double-doubles. Garnett tallied
24 points and 10 boards while Bass put forth a 13-point, 12-rebound effort in
the Celtics' sixth straight victory over the Magic.
Paul Pierce netted 23 points in the win.
"We let them back in the game so we had to find a way to win," Pierce said.
"That was what it was all about, finding a way to win. We were not feeling
sorry for ourselves by giving up a pretty big lead. We had to grind it out.
That is what we did."
The Magic made a strong second half push, but faltered down the stretch in
overtime. Jameer Nelson was a key contributor to Orlando's rally, scoring 17
of his 20 points in the second half and overtime.
J.J. Redick poured in 21 points off the bench while Arron Affalo and Glen
Davis put in 15 points apiece for the Magic, who had won consecutive games
coming in.
"We got some good looks down the stretch," said Magic coach Jacque Vaughn.
"Overall, I was pretty encouraged with our guys' effort."
Following a 3-pointer from Orlando's Moe Harkless, Rondo set up Pierce for a
three to record his 10th assist in the third quarter. The result of the play
allowed Rondo to tie Stockton's mark and it brought the Celtics' lead back up
to double-digits.
But the Magic did not waver and actually took the lead by the end of the
quarter. Redick scored on a reverse layup later in the third to bring the
Magic to within four before Nelson scored the final eight points of the period
to give Orlando an 82-80 edge.
Both players stayed hot in the opening moments of the fourth, as Nelson buried
a triple and Redick nailed a jumper off an inbound to push the Magic's lead
to seven.
The Celtics remained behind until a run late in the fourth put them back on
top. Garnett banked a short jumper and finished an alley-oop to cap a 9-0
spurt, putting Boston ahead 100-97 with 2:38 to go.
But Redick answered the Celtics' surge right away, swishing a triple to bring
the Magic even before Davis scored on a layup to put them back in front.
Garnett came right back with a long jumper to tie the game at 102-102 with
just over a minute remaining. Nelson then misfired on a three and Bass pulled
down the board, giving the Celtics the ball with 30 seconds to play in
regulation.
However, Boston missed its final three shots, with Pierce's fadeaway jumper
hitting off the rim as time expired, sending the game to overtime.
The teams exchanged baskets up until midway through the extra period. Pierce
drained a 3-pointer and Rondo followed with a layup to put the Celtics ahead
113-108 with 1:37 remaining.
Nelson drove the lane and scored a layup to pull the Magic within three, but
missed an open look from downtown on their next touch, with the rebound
falling into the hands of Garnett.
The Celtics forward then connected on 1-of-2 free throws to secure the win.
Game Notes
Magic Johnson holds the record for most consecutive games (46) with at least
10 assists ... The Celtics outscored the Magic in the first half 58-48 ... 60
of the Celtics' points came inside the paint.
11/25 22:46:50 ET
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