Davis Burns Magic as Celtics Escape

ORLANDO -- No one said it was going to be easy without Kevin Garnett. But no one said they couldn't do it, either.

The Celtics won back the home-court advantage that they lost in Boston last week -- much like they did in their first-round series against Chicago -- and very much kept their long-shot hope of repeating alive.

That Celtic pride bubbled up again, fighting off another serious challenge to their NBA title defense.

Celtics 95, Magic 94: Recap | Box Score | Sunday's Scores

Glen "Big Baby" Davis, who was yanked from the first minute of the game because he was coasting, hit the winning shot as time expired.

The 95-94 victory allowed the Celtics to even the series at two games apiece with two of the next three back in Boston. Even without Garnett, they are back in the driver's seat.

Davis had 21 points, but his biggest two of the season came as time expired. He had a clear shot from the corner when Rashard Lewis drifted away from him to help on Paul Pierce. But Pierce found Big Baby ready and willing to take the pressure-shot.

He raced around the court after the shot with a crazed look in his eye, screaming to no one in particular.

"I'm always ready to shoot," he said. "We're going back home with a win."

The Magic blew their chance to take charge of the series after struggling to shoot straight. They were one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the league during the season, but they made only five of 27 from long range Sunday night.

Pierce led everyone with 27 points, but he didn't score in the fourth period because he was saddled with foul trouble. Davis finished with 21 points. Rajon Rondo had 21 points and 14 rebounds.

The Celtics led through much of the fourth quarter, but the Magic took the lead 92-91 on two free throws by Dwight Howard with :49 remaining. Davis hit another jumper with :30 remaining. After Lewis hit two free throws with :11 remaining, the Celtics set up the last shot with Davis as the third option.

"Before the game, we talked about Mother's Day,'' Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "We looked at the qualities mothers give you, things like determination, heart, discipline. We really dug deep tonight.''

It was a real foul-fest early. Pierce, Davis and Brian Scalabrine all had three fouls by halftime. So did Lewis and Magic backup Marcin Gortat. The lead changed hands 13 times in the first two periods, but neither team led by more than five.

Rivers didn't have much patience early. He yanked Big Baby just 46 seconds into the game after seeing him coast on the first two defensive trips. Baby wasn't very pleased, understandably, slowly making his way to the sideline. He didn't stay there very long, though, because Scalabrine got two fouls before Davis even found his seat.

Latest NBA Playoff Photos

Orlando Magic's Tony Battie (4) tries to stop Boston Celtics forward Glen Davis (11) in the second half of a second round NBA playoff basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 10 2008. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) goes up for a shot over Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins (43) in the second half of a second round NBA playoff basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 10 2008. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis (9) lays it in past Boston Celtics forward Glen Davis (11) and Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins (43) as Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) and Boston Celtics guard Paul Pierce (34) tangle in the background during a second round NBA playoff basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 10 2009. The Celtics won 95-94. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen (20) goes up for a shot between Orlando Magic guard Rafer Alston, left, and Rashard Lewis (9) as Rajon Rondo, right, watches during the first half of a second round NBA playoff basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 10, 2009. The Celtics won 95-94. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) blocks a shot by Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen as Orlando's J.J. Redick, left, and Boston's Glen Davis watch during the second half of a second-round NBA playoff basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 10, 2009. The Celtics won 95-94. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, center, lays in a basket over Boston Celtics guard Eddie House, left, as Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen (20) watches during a second-round NBA playoff basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

Boston Celtics forward Glen Davis, left, is called for traveling after running into Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis (9) and Anthony Johnson (8) during the second half of a second-round NBA playoff basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 10, 2009. The Celtics won 95-94. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Boston Celtics forward Glen Davis (11) lays in a basket past Orlando Magic's Marcin Gortat (13), of Poland, during the first half of a second-round NBA playoff basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 10, 2009. The Celtics won 95-94. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis, left, is fouled by Boston Celtics forward Glen Davis, center, as Kendrick Perkins helps defend the play during the second half of a second-round NBA playoff basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 10, 2009. The foul allowed Lewis to momentarily give the Magic the lead after he made two free throws. The Celtics scored on the ensuing play to win 95-94. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, center, is fouled by Boston Celtics guard Eddie House, left, as Celtics' Ray Allen helps during the second half of a second-round NBA playoff basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 10, 2009. The Celtics won 95-94. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)