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Nelson helps Magic end Celtics' win streak

Dec 26, 2010 - 1:13 AM Orlando, FL (Sports Network) - Jameer Nelson scored only 12 total points, but his three-pointer late in regulation and clutch foul shooting down the stretch helped the Orlando Magic end Boston's 14-game win streak with an 86-78 victory over the Celtics in a Christmas Day matchup at Amway Center.

Brandon Bass posted 21 points and nine rebounds for the Magic, who have won two straight on the heels of a four-game skid. Hedo Turkoglu added 16 points while Dwight Howard brought down 11 rebounds in the victory. Orlando had been coming off a 123-101 win over the Spurs on Thursday, snapping San Antonio's 10-game winning streak.

"This is two of the biggest wins we've had so far this season, especially against these type of teams," Nelson said. "The composure we showed throughout the course of the game, especially in the second half, was a good sign for us."

Kevin Garnett scored a game-high 22 points and Paul Pierce added 18 for the Celtics, who, prior to this contest, last suffered defeat on November 21 at Toronto. Glen Davis registered 16 points and eight rebounds for Boston, which lost for only the fifth time this season (23-5).

Bass' jumper with 4 1/2 minutes remaining in regulation brought Orlando within 73-69 before Nelson connected from beyond the arc two minutes later to bring the Magic within 77-75. When Boston failed to score on its ensuing possession, Bass made good on a jumper in the paint near the foul line for a 77-77 tie with just under two minutes to play.

The C's then committed a shot clock violation, giving the ball back to Orlando and setting up Nelson for the critical basket of the contest. From the top of the key and from just behind the three-point line, Nelson sent the Orlando faithful into a frenzy when he drilled a long-range jumper to give the Magic an 80-77 lead with 1:19 on the clock.

"We just didn't lock down defensively like a team that knows how, especially down the stretch," Pierce said. "That's usually our bread and butter, down the stretch - we're able to hold teams. It was completely opposite."

Garnett then made 1-of-2 from the foul line, but J.J. Redick's fadeaway jumper from 20 feet gave Orlando an 82-78 edge with 43 seconds left.

A quartet of successful foul shots by Nelson inside the final minute -- following an air-ball missed three-point attempt by Ray Allen and turnover by Nate Robinson -- secured the victory and created the final margin.

Orlando came out of the gate on fire and scored the first 13 points of the game before a Pierce jumper midway through the opening quarter finally got the Celtics on the board.

That basket started a 15-0 run by the visitors, who grabbed a 15-13 lead on Jermaine O'Neal's inside turnaround jumper and Boston led 20-19 after 12 minutes of action.

The Celtics out-scored the hosts by a 26-17 margin in the second stanza and carried a 46-36 lead into the locker room.

"We got out to a great start and then we really struggled offensively," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "We just had to hang in the game. We made some plays down the stretch, hit some big shots."

The teams traded baskets for most of the third quarter and the Celtics continued to hold the lead, but the Magic did not let it get away from them. Turkoglu's three-pointer with four minutes to go cut Orlando's deficit to 59-52. Boston led 63-57 heading into the fourth.

Game Notes

The Magic made 11-of-29 shots from behind the arc and shot 39.4 percent (28- of-71) from the floor overall...Turkoglu made four of his eight attempts from three-point range...Orlando won the battle on the glass, 45-39...Garnett was 10-for-14 from the field...Allen was held to nine points on 3-of-13 shooting.