The Orlando Magic looked dead in the water and on their way to a loss against the Boston Celtics on Christmas Day. Dwight Howard was struggling, they couldn’t buy a bucket and the Celtics were ready to close them out. Then, Jameer Nelson rebounded from an awful shooting game and carried the Magic home.
Celtics Vs. Magic, NBA Christmas Day: Jameer Nelson Steps Up As Orlando Rallies For 86-78 Win
Nelson hit two huge shots -- a three-pointer cut Boston’s lead from five to two, then a three-pointer to put the Magic up for good with 1:19 remaining, as the Magic rallied for an 86-78 win in the second game of a Christmas Day doubleheader. Nelson had just 12 points, but eight of those came in the game’s final stretches, as he pushed the Magic to this win.
Kevin Garnett had 22 points to lead the Celtics, but Boston didn’t hit a single field goal in the final three minutes and 20 seconds of the game. Brandon Bass led Orlando with 21 points, including a two-point basket that tied the game at 77 immediately prior to Nelson’s go-ahead three-pointer. Dwight Howard had just six points and one made field goal, but he stepped up defensively in the final frame.
Paul Pierce starred early, but didn’t have a single point in the fourth quarter, while Ray Allen was held in check by J.J. Redick and scored just nine points on 3-13 shooting. The Magic also got a big lift from Hedo Turkoglu, who had 16 points on 6-10 shooting.
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