Orlando, FL (Sports Network) - Jameer Nelson scored 24 points and the Orlando Magic again staved off elimination with a 113-92 win over Boston in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, a contest in which the Celtics came away with a depleted roster.
Magic 113, Celtics 92: Orlando Staves Off Elimination, Again, Forces Game 6
The Magic, bidding to become the first NBA team to rally from a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven playoff series, went 13-for-25 from three-point range. Nelson led the way by going 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, and Dwight Howard chipped in 21 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks.
Boston can still advance to the NBA Finals for the second time in three years with a victory Friday night at home. If the Magic win, though, Game 7 will be back in Orlando on Sunday.
After being embarrassed in a 94-71 Game 3 loss, the Magic rallied and earned a 96-92 overtime win in Boston Monday night. Orlando is still believing despite the odds still stacked against the Magic. NBA teams are 93-0 in best-of-seven series when winning the first three games.
However, one Boston team has already blown a 3-0 lead this postseason as the Bruins fell in seven games to the Flyers in the NHL’s Eastern Conference semifinals earlier this month. Now the Celtics are possibly two losses away from the biggest collapse in NBA history.
In what may have been the final game for the Magic at Amway Arena, last year's Eastern Conference champions made it known they weren't going down without a fight. Orlando also received 14 points from Rashard Lewis and J.J. Redick.
Celtics starting center Kendrick Perkins was ejected in the final minute of the second quarter after picking up his second technical foul. Additionally, Celtics forward Glen Davis suffered a concussion in the closing seconds of the third quarter after receiving an elbow to the face from Howard. Boston swingman Marquis Daniels also came out with a concussion in the fourth.
Rasheed Wallace led the way for Boston with 21 points, but fouled out in the fourth quarter.
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