The Celtics led this game 82-61 after three quarters and they outrebounded the Magic 45-35 which are the reasons why they won this game and are headed back to the NBA Finals. Paul Pierce was on fire as he finished up with 31 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. Ray Allen pitched in with 20 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals in this game. Rajon Rondo was so-so with 14 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists tonight. Nate Robinson was instant electricity off the bench in this game as he finished up with 13 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists in only 13 mintues off the bench. The Celtics put the Magic away 4-2 in this series to advance to the NBA Finals and maybe a classic matchup with the Lakers.

The Celtics didn’t play and D last night as the Magic shot 52.2% from the floor and they were outrebounded 42-26 which explains the scoreboard. Rasheed Wallace came to play for the Celtics last night as he finished up with 21 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocked shots in only 18 minutes. Rajon Rondo pitched in with 19 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists last night. Paul Pierce finished up with 18 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. The Celtics are up 3-2 in this series with Game #6 coming up in Boston.

The Celtics couldn’t put the Magic away in Boston last night. Paul Pierce led the way for the Celtics last night stuffing the stat sheet with 32 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot. Ray Allen also stuffed the stat sheet with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot last night. Kevin Garnett was tough around the basket as usual with 14 points and 12 rebounds in this game. The Celtics are still up 3-1 in this game as the series shifts to Orlando for Game #5.

The Celtics won this game with defense as they held the Magic to 36.9% shooting from the floor and they outrebounded them 43-36. The Celtics were leading this game 75-47 after three quarters before calling off the dogs. Glen Davis led the way for the Celtics in this game with 17 points and 6 rebounds in 27 minutes. Paul Pierce backed up his tough talk with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Ray Allen was solid but not spectacular as he finished up with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Rajon Rondo only shot 4 of 14 from the floor but he still finished up with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 12 assists and 4 steals. Rasheed Wallace (10 points in 17 minutes) and Kevin Garnett (10 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals in only 24 minutes) also helped out the Celtics’ cause last night. The Celtics now hold a commanding 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Paul Pierce did not play his best in the first round against the Miami Heat, averaging only 19.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while hitting 46% of his shots.  In round two against the Cleveland Cavaliers he was even worse, putting up only 13.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, while shooting only 35% from the field.  Thanks to Rajon Rondo’s great overall play in the first two rounds, along with Ray Allen’s shooting, the Celtics were able to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals against an Orlando Magic team that had not even been challenged yet in the playoffs.  Pierce and the Celtics knew coming into this series that it would take more than Rondo filling up the stat sheet for the Celtics to knock off the defending Eastern Conference Champions.  The Celtics needed Pierce to step up his play in this series, and so far so good.  In the first two games (both Boston wins), Pierce is averaging 25.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and is hitting 58% of his shots on a very efficient 14-24 shooting.  He is also doing a good job of drawing fouls and getting to the free throw line, where he has hit 17-21 (81%) in the two games.  Pierce and the Celtics have a commanding 2-0 lead in the series, but that doesn’t mean they can let up.  Dwight Howard the rest of the Magic are hungry to get back to the NBA Finals, so Pierce and company need to continue to play like they have in the first two games and finish off the Magic in as few games as possible.