Desperation Fuels the Celtics Fire

Desperation often becomes a wonderful motivator.

After losing Monday night, the Boston Celtics brought a must-win mentality into Game 2 of their best-of-seven series against the Orlando Magic, knowing another loss would drop them into a hole from which they could not climb out.

It had an early-series, now-or-never feel for the Celtics, who rolled to a surprisingly easy 112-94 victory.

Celtics 112, Magic 94: Recap | Box Score | Suspension for Alston?
Series Tied 1-1 | Next Game: Friday @ Orlando, 7:00 PM ET

The Magic, conversely, looked like they started the game content to leave town with split, preferring to save their energy for Games 3 and 4 in Orlando. They fell into an early, why-bother approach, obviously overwhelmed by the Celtics superior focus.

Boston Celtics Photos

Boston Celtics' Eddie House shoots a 3-pointer against Orlando Magic Anthony Johnson (8) in the second half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinals in Boston on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. House scored a career-high 31 points in the 112-94 Celtics victory. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy (front R) sits by the bench with his team against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter of Game 2 of their NBA Eastern Conference basketball playoff series in Boston, Massachusetts May 6, 2009. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

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Boston Celtics' Glen Davis (back) is fouled by Orlando Magic's Rashard Lewis (9) during the fourth quarter of Game 2 of their NBA Eastern Conference basketball playoff series in Boston, Massachusetts May 6, 2009. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

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Boston Celtics Eddie House (50) and Orlando Magic Rafer Alston square off during the third quarter of Game 2 of their NBA Eastern Conference basketball playoff series in Boston, Massachusetts May 6, 2009. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

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Boston Celtics' Eddie House (50) celebrates his three-pointer against Orlando Magic during the third quarter of Game 2 of their NBA Eastern Conference basketball playoff series in Boston, Massachusetts May 6, 2009. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

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Boston Celtics Rajon Rondo (9) watches his dunk go through the basket, as Orlando Magic Rafer Alston (1) watches, during the third quarter of Game 2 of their NBA Eastern Conference basketball playoff series in Boston, Massachusetts May 6, 2009. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

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Boston Celtics' Kendrick Perkins (43) greets teammate Rajon Rondo (9) during a timeout in the second quarter against Orlando Magic during Game 2 of their NBA Eastern Conference basketball playoff series in Boston, Massachusetts May 6, 2009. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

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BOSTON - MAY 6: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic takes a free throw during the game against the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on May 6, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dwight Howard

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BOSTON - MAY 6: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic posts up against Glen Davis #11 of the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on May 6, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dwight Howard;Glen Davis

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BOSTON - MAY 6: Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics goes up for the reverse layup against Mickael Pietrus #20 of the Orlando Magic in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on May 6, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ray Allen;Mickael Pietrus

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After the first period, the outcome was never, ever, ever in doubt.

The Celts did it with all-out hustle, with their usual stars playing a pedestrian role. Paul Pierce played only 12 minutes because of early foul trouble. He hit the game's first basket, a 3-pointer, but he never hit another field goal, spending most of the night on the bench alongside the dapperly-dressed Kevin Garnett.

It was journeyman Eddie House and rapidly-rising Rajon Rondo who shared the hero's role. House didn't miss -- or at least it seemed like it -- as he poured in 31 points. It was the most points for a Celtic reserve in a playoff role since Kevin McHale in 1993.

Rondo continued to feed his rising reputation as one of the game's best point guards, closing with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 18 assists, reaching his triple-double late in the third quarter when he drove the lane and dunked in the face of Dwight Howard, who was too slow on his rotation.

House had his signature moment midway in the fourth when he drilled a 3-pointer, was fouled and made it a four-point play.

Rondo's triple-double put him in similar company. It was his third of this point season, matching Larry Bird for the most triple-doubles in a single post season run for a Celtics player.

The game got away from the Magic early. They leaned in the first period on the unlikely J.J. Redick, who hardly played in the first five games of their opening-round series. Redick kept it respectable early, hitting three consecutive 3-pointers late in that first period -- leading the Magic with 11 points. But when he sat on the bench for the first six minutes of the second, the Celtics grabbed a double-digit lead that they never lost.

The Magic didn't waste any time with their intentions Wednesday, looking intimidated by the fire and focus of the Celtics. The Magic committed two turnovers in the first two minutes, one unforced when Hedo Turkoglu fumbled the ball out of bounds on the opening possession.

Howard, the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year, was outplayed by Boston center Kendrick Perkins. Howard never forced his will on the game, missing easy scoring opportunities, committing five turnovers and failing to block a single shot.