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Vince Carter of the Orlando Magic - Source: Reuters
Vince Carter scored 10 of his game-high 26 points in the fourth
quarter to lead the Orlando Magic to a 83-78 victory over the
Boston Celtics on Saturday.
Carter, who joined the Magic in the offseason, shone in a defensive
battle between two of the top sides in the Eastern
Conference.
Orlando scored the game's final five points after Carter's
turnaround jumper with 2:32 remaining broke a 78-78
tie.
"I enjoy playing big games. I live for it," Carter told reporters
after attempting a season-high 29 shots. "We really respect (the
Celtics), they're one of the best. We're trying to get there
consistently and prove ourselves in the same way."
Paul Pierce scored 21 points for Boston, who shot 34 percent from
the field and lost for the third time in four games.
The Celtics were trying to earn a measure of revenge against the
Magic, who eliminated them from last year's playoffs in seven games
when Kevin Garnett was sidelined with a knee injury.
With Garnett now returned to health and Boston having made key
acquisitions, including forward Rasheed Wallace, the team is
looking to return to the form that earned them an NBA championship
in 2008.
After reaching the NBA Finals a year ago, the Magic have also made
personnel changes, starting with a trade for Carter. The eight-time
All-Star has helped Orlando start the year at 10-3 despite
team-wide injuries.
Against the Celtics, Orlando used a 15-2 run in the first quarter
to establish early control of the game.
Ray Allen tallied nine of his 15 points in the second, where Boston
pulled closer to trail 43-40 at halftime before the Magic again
claimed the momentum in the second half.
Rashard Lewis contributed 16 points in his third game since serving
a 10-game suspension for taking a banned substance and Mickael
Pietrus added 14 for Orlando.
The Magic were without starting point guard Jameer Nelson who will
miss 4-6 weeks following knee surgery yet still managed their
fourth straight win.
The Celtics struggled from behind the arc making just 2-of-19
three-point attempts as they fell to 9-4.
"We're not a team that takes losing well," Garnett said. "We're
still trying to figure it out."
