Dwight Howard had 28 points and 13 rebounds in 44 minutes against the reigning East champion Boston Celtics on Sunday, but his Orlando Magic teammates hardly helped him in his quest for glory and the Magic fell to the Celtics 91-80.
Magic Vs. Celtics: Dwight Howard Gets No Help As Rajon Rondo Leads Boston Past Orlando
Howard was incredible in the first half, but as his teammates had trouble finding their rhythm, Boston cut all illusions and sent as many defenders as possible at the All-NBA center in the second half. Howard had 22 points in the first half, but shot 0-5 in the third as the Celtics reversed a halftime deficit to pull out to a lead. Dwight played the entire second half, but got up shot six field goal attempts (making one) and four free throws.
The rest of Orlando's roster hardly fared better. The Magic in total shot 14 of 43 in the second half (32 percent), with Jason Richardson scoring 10 (4-7 shooting) and J.J. Redick adding eight (3-6). Meanwhile, the Celtics did just enough on offense to grab a substantial lead and hold off Orlando. Rajon Rondo had a rare huge scoring night with 26 points, his highest total since January 2010. Rondo also had seven assists and six turnovers.
The crowd was relatively subdued, considering the teams involved, due to a scary injury to Marquis Daniels in the first half. Daniels was carted off the court and rushed to a nearby hospital after collapsing due to a bruised spinal cord. Daniels and Gilbert Arenas had some incidental contact leading to Daniels' collapse; more on the Celtic's condition will be known today.
See More:
