The Magic could have folded. Game 4, on the road, already down 0-3. Teams that fall behind 0-3 have lost 93-of-93 series. The Magic know the odds are stacked against them, but they won Game 4 anyway behind a pretty massive 32-16, four-block effort from Dwight Howard. Jameer Nelson added 23-5-9 and turned the ball over six times, but Orlando had enough to survive, 96-92.
Donde esta Vince Carter? 1-of-9 shooting, three points, three turnovers. That stat line makes Orlando’s win that much more amazing.
Despite 68 points from Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, the Celtics shot just 42% from the field and just 28% from long range. The normally productive Boston benched managed just 12 points on 15 shots.
This win should give Orlando some confidence. If they can win Game 5, the momentum of the series will even out, and the possibility of forcing a Game 7 will be within sight. The pressure will be back on the Celtics to close out the series in Game 6.
No one is expecting the Magic to come back in the series, so they can play loose. And a loose team is a dangerous team.
