Enjoying a comfortable 21-point lead at the half, the Orlando Magic coughed it up with a woeful offensive fourth quarter to lose to the Boston Celtics for the second time this week. The Celtics defensive pressure completely took Orlando out of their game yet again, as the Magic scored just eight points in the final twelve minutes - reminiscent of the franchise-record low 56-point performance on Monday. Boston finished the game on a 44-15 run to escape with a 91-83 win.
The Magic had five players in double figures, but shot just 38 percent from the floor after making half their attempts over the first two quarters. Orlando simply unraveled in the fourth quarter, as Ryan Anderson and Dwight Howard got technical fouls on back-to-back possessions as the Celtics began to take the lead. Anderson came out hot, scoring 12 points in the first quarter but that would be it for his night. Howard finished with 16 points and 16 rebounds but was helpless to stop Boston's inexorable run.
Playing without Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo, it was an impressive road comeback for Boston and a discouraging sign for Orlando. The Magic have no time to gather themselves after the second-half debacle, as they now travel to New Orleans to face the Hornets on Friday night.
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