Celtics a win away from NBA Finals
May 23, 2010 12:43:51 UK
The Boston Celtics moved to within one win of booking their place in the NBA finals after they overcame a meek Orlando Magic to secure a 94-71 win on Saturday.
Backup Glen 'Big Baby' Davis scored 17 points and Rajon Rondo added 11 and 12 assists to lead the Celtics to victory and a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals.
"All season long, I don't think there's been a game where the other team's outplayed us, outhustled us and just worked harder than us," Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard said, "and they did that for the last three games and that's why they're ahead."
They've just done a great job.
Vince Carter
Ray Allen, a 6-foot-5 guard, dunked over the 6-11 Howard in the first quarter.
Celtic's Rajon Rondo also dived to beat Jason Williams to a loose ball at Boston's foul line, then got up and went around Williams for a layup. That highlight-reel play gave the Celtics a 36-17 lead with 8:31 left in the second quarter.
"That what it's always about, playing hard," Williams said. "We didn't play hard at all tonight."
Vince Carter also accepted the Celtic's were, simply, the better team.
"They've just done a great job. When they jump on us, they stay on us, especially tonight," said Carter.
No NBA team has lost a play-off series after winning the first three games.
The Magic have to win game four to avoid a sweep and force the series back to Orlando.
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