Celtics 116 - 110 Magic
Final - OT
  for this game

Rondo, Celtics top Magic in OT

Nov 26, 2012 - 3:46 AM Orlando, FL (Sports Network) - Rajon Rondo turned in another solid performance, falling one rebound shy of a triple-double in the Boston Celtics' 116-110 victory over the Orlando Magic in overtime.

Rondo notched 15 points and 16 assists, tying John Stockton for second-most games with at least 10 assists. It was the 37th straight game Rondo has accomplished the feat.

Kevin Garnett and Brandon Bass each recorded double-doubles. Garnett tallied 24 points and 10 boards while Bass put forth a 13-point, 12-rebound effort in the Celtics' sixth straight victory over the Magic.

Paul Pierce netted 23 points in the win.

"We let them back in the game so we had to find a way to win," Pierce said. "That was what it was all about finding a way to win. We were not feeling sorry for ourselves by giving up a pretty big lead. We had to grind it out. That is what we did."

The Magic made a strong second half push, but faltered down the stretch in overtime. Jameer Nelson was a key contributor to Orlando's rally, scoring 17 of his 20 points in the second half and overtime.

J.J. Reddick poured in 21 points off the bench while Aaron Affalo and Glen Davis put in 15 points apiece for the Magic, who had won consecutive games coming in.

"We got some good looks down the stretch," said Magic coach Jacque Vaughn. "Overall, I was pretty encouraged with our guys' effort."

Following a 3-pointer from Orlando's Moe Harkless, Rondo set up Pierce for a three to record his 10th assist in the third quarter. The result of the play allowed Rondo to tie Stockton's record and it brought the Celtics lead back up to double-digits.

But the Magic did not waver and actually took the lead by the end of the quarter. Reddick scored on a reverse layup later in the third to bring the Magic to within four before Nelson scored the final eight points of the period to give Orlando an 82-80 edge.

Both players stayed hot in the opening moments of the fourth, as Nelson buried a triple and Reddick nailed a jumper off an inbound to push the Magic's lead to seven.

The Celtics remained behind until a run late in the fourth put them back on top. Garnett banked a short jumper and finished an alley-oop to cap a 9-0 spurt, putting Boston ahead 100-97 with 2:38 to go.

But Reddick answered the Celtics' surge right away, swishing a triple to bring the Magic even before Davis scored on a layup to put them back infront.

Garnett came right back with a long jumper to tie the game at 102-102 with just over a minute remaining. Nelson then miss-fired on a three and Bass pulled down the board, giving the Celtics the ball with 30 seconds to play in regulation.

However, Boston missed its final three shots, with Pierce's fadeaway jumper hitting off the rim as time expired, sending the game to overtime.

The teams exchanged baskets up until midway through the extra period. Pierce drained a 3-pointer and Rondo followed with a layup to put the Celtics ahead 113-108 with 1:37 remaining.

Nelson drove the lane and scored a layup to pull the Magic within three, but missed an open look from downtown on their next touch, with the rebound falling into the hands of Garnett.

The Celtics forward then connected on 1-of-2 free throws to secure the win.

Game Notes

Magic Johnson holds the record for most consecutive games (46) with at least 10 assists ... The Celtics outscored the Magic in the first half 58-48 ... 60 of the Celtics' points came inside the paint.






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