Orlando at Boston

Cloudy Currently: Boston, MA
Temp: 47° F
  • Game info: 8:00 pm EDT Tue May 12, 2009
  • TV: TNT

By JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports Writer May 11, 4:39 pm EDT

Preview | Box Score | Recap | Series Breakdown
  • Print

BOSTON (AP)—Glen “Big Baby” Davis wasn’t the Celtics’ first choice to take the last shot in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against Orlando.

But he turned out to be a pretty good choice.

Davis hit a buzzer-beater to give the Celtics a 95-94 victory over the Magic on Sunday night and tie the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. The series resumes in Boston with Game 5, and a victory Tuesday night would preserve the home-court advantage for coach Doc Rivers and the defending NBA champions.

“Since I have been with the Celtics, I have been trying to fine my niche in our system,” Davis said. “Doc told me that if you work on that shot and show me you can make it, I am going to let you shoot it. This year has been proof of hard work. You just have to be focused.”

Celtics center Kendrick Perkins(notes) reported no ill effects of the left shoulder strain he complained about during Sunday night’s game. Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss said Perkins was on the team plane and there was no further testing planned.

Perkins had a similar injury during the NBA finals last year, missing Game 5 of the series against the Los Angeles Lakers and playing less than 14 minutes in three other games.

Even though Rivers now trusts Davis to take the big shots, the play wasn’t drawn up for the 6-foot-9, 289-pound, second-year center from Louisiana State.

The ball was first supposed to go to Ray Allen(notes), the All-Star who scored 51 points in a game against Chicago and has the most 3-pointers in the playoffs this season. If Allen wasn’t open, NBA finals MVP Paul Pierce(notes) was supposed to be the consolation prize. Eddie House(notes), who burned the Magic with 31 points off the bench in Game 2, was also on the floor.

Allen was covered tightly by Hedo Turkoglu(notes), so point guard Rajon Rondo(notes) swung the ball over to Pierce, who was well-covered by Rashard Lewis(notes). Pierce dribbled toward the center of the court looking for a shot, and Davis came over and set a pick on Lewis, who briefly left Davis to double-team Pierce.

While Lewis was caught in the middle, Pierce jumped and—instead of trying to shoot over Lewis and Dwight Howard(notes)—passed the ball over to Davis near the Magic logo on the left side. He calmly sank the 21-footer as time expired.

“We have a saying: ‘Trust the pass,”’ Rivers said. “Our best player trusted the pass. He may have had a shot but (Lewis) was in his face. Baby was open. He trusted the offense. He trusted the pass. That was great.”

Davis’ basket at the far end of the court set off a frenzy on the Celtics bench, with Rivers spiking an imaginary basketball in celebration.

The Celtics took Monday off to return to Boston, and Orlando did not practice either on the travel day before Game 5 as it tries to avoid being shoved aside like a 12-year-old kid with courtside seats.

“They’re the champions. They protect home court well,” Howard said. “We have to go in there with a great mind-set, start to finish it has to be the same. We know they’re going to come out and try to knock us out in the first couple of minutes. We have to withstand all their blows.”

Updated May 11, 4:39 pm EDT
digg del.icio.us
more

Team Comparison

Team Record Standings PF PA Road/Home Streak L10
Orlando 59-23 1st Southeast / 3rd East 101.0 94.4 Road 27-14 Won 1 5-5
Boston 62-20 1st Atlantic / 2nd East 100.9 93.4 Home 35-6 Won 2 8-2

Notes

April 22 C Dwight Howard's previous playoff high was 29 points against the Raptors in the first round last year. He had 31 points and 16 rebounds in his 15th career playoff game. ... Central Florida resident and the Magic's most famous fan, Tiger Woods, was sitting at his courtside seat across from Philadelphia's bench. ... F Rashard Lewis had missed the last three games with right knee tendinitis. F Hedo Turkoglu had been sidelined for the last two games with a sprained left ankle.

Apr 19, 10:33 pm EDT

F Kevin Garnett spent the entire game on the bench, mostly standing. In the opener, he was there for the first half but stayed in the locker room after intermission. ... Red Sox pitchers Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Justin Masterson attended the game. Masterson was the winning pitcher in a 12-1 victory over Baltimore on Monday, allowing one run in 5 1-3 innings. ... Owner Wyc Grousbeck was at the game after finishing the Boston Marathon earlier Monday in 4:16:49. He sat next to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

Apr 20, 11:42 pm EDT
NBA

307 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. <i>mia.miller09</i>
    307. Posted by mia.miller09 Thu May 14 8:41am EDT

    Report Abuse

    this game was boss
  2. Arthur
    306. Posted by Arthur Wed May 13 11:04pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    good thing i'm a celtics fan. Go boston celtics
  3. red dog
    305. Posted by red dog Wed May 13 8:52pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    REGGID R we all know the R stands for rearend cause thats what he talks out of his ass
  4. tsunami23
    304. Posted by tsunami23 Wed May 13 6:32pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The Magic are a joke, scared to beat a team that resembles a hospital for old folks.

    The Champs are running on fumes. Great job Boston.

    Magic deserve to lose.
  5. Michael B
    303. Posted by Michael B Wed May 13 6:05pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Cavs will sweep the celtics. Thats if they even make it.
  6. D.W.B.
    302. Posted by D.W.B. Wed May 13 5:04pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    TS,the ball would not have changed direction had it not hit the rim.bye some glasses or get an HDTV.as far as bad calls go?welcome to them every team gets some and dosent get others and you sound just like the bulls fans,cry me a river.
  7. <i>james.hando</i>
    301. Posted by james.hando Wed May 13 4:47pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I do feel bad for cleveland fans... I could see y u guys r all haters... Boston sports in the past 10 years have won 2 baseball 3 football and 1 basketball championship... And the 2nd one comming this year... No wonder all u guys r haters... Haha it great to be. in BOSTON!!!
  8. Larry O
    300. Posted by Larry O Wed May 13 4:44pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    the best team always win in a7 game series magic better come out and play and quit complaining about calls noy going thier way. to be honest no kg leon, ray allen hasn't even shown up all series, pp has virtually be limited because of foul troubles but eddy house in game 2, big baby in game 3 and 4 i think orlando is in trouble because in game 6 or 7 all the celts might be clicking on all cylinders and it will be a blow out
  9. Derek M
    299. Posted by Derek M Wed May 13 4:23pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    celtics, its great being a celtic fan this postseason, all the games have been fun and entertaining, but i think the magic have the most talent out of any team in the NBA, its just stan van gundy doesnt know how to coach. He is a complete idiot.
  10. nh_bobcat
    298. Posted by nh_bobcat Wed May 13 4:22pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    All I can say is LOL!

    To listen to all you Boston bashers is too funny. And for those of you who think the games are rigged pull you head out. The players are not going to bust their butts all season just to take a dive in the playoffs. Just deal with it losers! The Celtcs are a good team and they will give anybody a run. First all you meatheads said they couldn't beat Chicago. Now you jump ship and it's Orlando. You are all morons and the Celtics will get that fourth win and move on to play Cleveland. I myself think Cleveland has the better team with Bostons injuries but they are still a good enough team to make it a good series. Instead of looking for reasons to cry about why your team isn't in it anymore how about just enjoying some top notch playoff games. Hey did you guys see the Bruins game last night too? Or how about the Red Sox? That was sweet also. Oh it's nice to be a Boston fan.
  11. 50 sucks
    297. Posted by 50 sucks Wed May 13 4:21pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I love how this article came out today and theres almost 300 posts. No joke all you are haters. I dont like the cavs or lebron but happy for the guy that he got mvp this year. Celtics all the way for me, we dont need the mvp we got a sick set a starters thanks to baby steppin it up. Eddie House is the clutchest player if we dont run him round trying to get open with orlando in his face. Everyone on here has to admit that if we still had Kevin Garnett you wouldnt be talking all this crap and Lebron wouldnt be so confident he was playing lakers in the finals.
  12. robert w
    296. Posted by robert w Wed May 13 4:09pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The Celts are doing what every athlete dreams of doing: Doing some seriously impossible @#%@ and making an entire city scream your name like crazy. These cats are gonna be legends for the performance they are putting in. Regardless of the play of the other teams, or talent questions, officiating, and blah, blah,blah,blah, they are doing it and damn it makes me happy to see. I just love good sport and right now they are playing this f@#%^%#$^^g game. Armchair generals shut up and real athletes step up.
  13. Reggid R
    295. Posted by Reggid R Wed May 13 4:07pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    odysseus200123: Bird was a great player. The rest were goons, thugs, and cry-babies. McHale had a 1,000 post moves? Yeah, if you include 999 traveling violations.
  14. Reggid R
    294. Posted by Reggid R Wed May 13 4:04pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Dear jameshando:

    When your team is blowing the other team out by 20, you don't HAVE to take last-second shots to eek out desperation wins.
  15. <i>james.hando</i>
    293. Posted by james.hando Wed May 13 3:56pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Cavs fans r soooooo funny.... Last time I check when the game is close mr. Truth and mr.purest shooter heck even baby could finish of a game... But I don't see anyone from the cavs who is not scared to take the last shot...esp lb king of I don't want to shoot the last shot...I'm I'm king so I only want to shoot when up by 20... And u know when ur playing the celtics its going down to the wire unless the celtis r blowing u out!!!
  16. <i>odysseus200123</i>
    292. Posted by odysseus200123 Wed May 13 3:46pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Reggie R u must be out of you mind to think that the Celtics of the 80's were a one man team. Bird played absolutely zero defense. He was a great scoreer and worthy of being on the dream team and a 3 time MVP, but without Parrish, McHale, Walton, Dennis Johnson (all 1st team defense), and a host of reserves, Bird would have been exposed for his lack of play defensively. However, offensively, the Celtics were a machine. they had a philosophy; they played inside out. The way the Magic should be playing now. Parish had that unblockable turn around J, McHale the man of a 1000 post moves, Cornbread Maxwell befuddled opponent s with his sly moves and skill, Henderson was a solid backup at the point, they're reserves filled their roles, and last but not least, Bird was one of the greatest clutch shooters to ever play the game. Please Reggie and I hated the Celtics in the 80's.
  17. Birdman
    291. Posted by Birdman Wed May 13 3:44pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Reggid......your comments show that you have no intelligence whatsoever...I have heard some pretty stupid things on these boards...but you by far deserve 1st place in the dumbass competition......you are one of those people that think everything is a conspiracy and you have all the answers......you obviously know little about basketball...or life for that matter...
  18. Joanne
    290. Posted by Joanne Wed May 13 3:38pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Just like the Magician makes it look so easy pulling a rabbit out of the hat... the Celtics last two games were Magic. Leaving Orlando to sit and scratch their collective heads and wonder... 'HOW DID THEY DO THAT?" THE BOSTON CELTICS ROCK!
  19. <i>odysseus200123</i>
    289. Posted by odysseus200123 Wed May 13 3:38pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    You must be crazy to think that the Celtics are going to beat the CAVS in conference finals. Damn the regular season. Every post season Lebron James steps his game up in the playoffs (except against Spurs) and takes it to the next level. But now, he has another baller that can drop 20 consistently, along with a horde of big men to fulfill their roles. Between Williams, West, Boobie, Wally (I don't believe i actually wrote that-Wally) Smith, Varajeo and Pavolvic or whatever his name is...there are players to take the load. Nevertheless, the playoffs are about heroes and those who are not afraid to step up their games and the CAVS have that this year. But damn the talkin, lets just see what happens in the Easten Conference Finals. My squad is there already. BRING IT ON. WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! And last but not least, we appreciate the lowly Magic and the over achieving Celtics taking so damn long to finish this series. It actually gives us time to formulate and practice our craft and gameplan. The NBA is not only Amazing, its pratical to.
  20. Reggid R
    288. Posted by Reggid R Wed May 13 3:33pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Broonsby:

    Are you kidding? The 80s were the epitome of horrible officiating in the Celtics' favor. Other than Bird, who was great even though he played for the Celtic goons, the "great" Celtic teams of the 80s were a bunch of over-hyped, no-talent thugs and crybabies. McHale and Parrish made entire "superstar" careers from terrible officiating, traveling, and whining to the refs. You think NBA stars get away with travelling now? Watch McHale and Parrish -- those two traveled virtually every time they touched the ball. There has never been a player so coddled by refs than McHale, who scored half his points from non-existent fouls, and would have fouled out in the first quarter of every game if the refs would have called him for offensive fouls and for slapping at the defensive end. Ainge? A punk crybaby who should have been thrown out of half the games in whihc he played. Dennis Johnson? Are you kidding? Another crybaby whose main role on the team, when he wasn't palming the ball and double-dribbling, was to cry and moan to the officials non-stop.

    With even-handed, unbiased officating, the 80s Celtics teams were .500 clubs -- and only that good because of Bird alone.
  21. red dog
    287. Posted by red dog Wed May 13 3:20pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    david mudd can tell by your comments your IQ does not register like i said you know nothing about basketball maybe you can tell us how many pictures you colored at school today so be a goog little boy and maybe when you grow up you might be able to comment on something and make some sense so be sure you go to bed on time little boys need their rest NIGHT NIGHT
  22. <i>james.hando</i>
    286. Posted by james.hando Wed May 13 3:17pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    OMG I can't stand cavs fans... U guys r good at beating up all the garbage teams I give u that...but when it comes to the top teams in the nba cavs r under .500 so I don't know how u think ur gonna beat the mighty celtics... I would be suprised if it even went to game 7... Celtics in 6!!!!
  23. Mulrooney
    285. Posted by Mulrooney Wed May 13 3:13pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I love the 'banter' shown by some of the C's haters, shows how 'mature' and smart they really are. Our little 'pup' needs to grow up and become the big-dog they need to be. Don't let the 'ravings' of 'Reggid R'' get under your thin skin. It only serves to extend his 15min of 'blogging fame'. Clearly he needs to get a life. Understand, without the pulpit, he has no-where to preach. I can't remember the last time a Clevland team (pick a sport) has won a championship... Maybe this is their year (Lebron can ball with the best, end of story) they have grown since last year, are healthy and hungry. The C's, if they 'trust the pass', could give them a series, hopefully time will tell. I would love to see them match-up, but the C's still have a job to do! and two opportunities to do so!! GO C's!!!
  24. banks
    284. Posted by banks Wed May 13 3:04pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    denver vs orlando for finals???!!..lmao..the guy who said this is mentally disturbed..
    im sorry 2 say but ur basketball is of the radar..look at ur sats carefully..
  25. Rob
    283. Posted by Rob Wed May 13 2:59pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Last night proves what I have been saying for years and that finally was disclosed last year by a ref, the NBA is rigged? Plain and simple, nothing against the City of Boston, any chance to get a series between the Celtics and the Cavs will not be denied. David Stern and the NBA will make this happens. I could never in one hundred years envision a series between the Magic and the Nuggets although, they are probably the best teams. The bottom line it will be the CAVS versus the Lakers. This has been the NBA's intention since last November.
Sign in to post a comment, or sign up for a free account

Team Stat Leaders

Points
Rebounds
Assists

Scoreboard

Tuesday, May 12

YAHOO! SPORTS

ALSO ON YAHOO!

THINGS YOU CAN DO

- Site Map

Copyright © 2009 2009 STATS LLC and The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the STATS/AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of STATS LLC and The Associated Press.