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Magic aim to close out Raptors

Apr 28, 2008 - 1:27 PM Toronto at Orlando 7:30 pm EDT Eastern Conference first round Magic lead, 3-1

ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) - A mid-series defensive adjustment allowed Chris Bosh to have a huge game, but it gave Rashard Lewis enough energy to put the Toronto Raptors on the brink of elimination.

The Orlando Magic look to win their first playoff series in 12 seasons on Monday when they host the Raptors in Game Five of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Lewis had been asked to guard Bosh in the first three games of the series. But while Bosh didn't explode in any of those games, playing defense on the Raptors' leading scorer took its toll on Lewis.

Prior to Game Four, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy elected to have Dwight Howard guard his good friend Bosh, thereby freeing up Lewis to save his energy for the offensive end. While Bosh recorded a playoff career-high 39 points and 15 rebounds, Lewis countered with 27 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in Orlando's 106-94 win in Saturday's win.

The added responsibility didn't slow Howard down all that much as he had 19 points, 16 rebounds and a franchise-record eight blocks.

"He can play defense and he was super aggressive blocking shots," said Bosh of Howard. "He was going for shots and he can alter shots, and that's what makes him so good."

The fourth-year center, drafted No. 1 overall in 2004, is averaging 23 points, 17.5 rebounds and four blocks through the first four games of this series.

As could be expected, Bosh is not ready to concede the series.

"It's not over until we lose one game," said Bosh, who also grabbed 15 rebounds. "We have to show up and we have to win. We could sit here and mope but the fact is, we still have another game. As long as we have another game, we have to get ready to play."

A couple keys that may allow Toronto to extend the series by at least one more game may be to start quick and make sure T.J. Ford gets involved early. Game Three was the only time the Raptors led after the first quarter and got a better game out of its backcourt than the Magic did.