Celtics Push Magic to Panic

This is a case where championship experience really came into play. One team had it, and the other team didn't know what it was.

The Boston Celtics may have struggled and trailed throughout the night, but they knew when and how to rally, protecting their home-court advantage with a come-from-behind, 92-88 victory over the Magic. The Celtics took a 3-2 lead in this best-of-seven series.

The Celtics were cool down the stretch when they made a 13-0 run, sending the Magic into a panic from which they never recovered. The Magic, who haven't been past the second round of the playoffs since 1996, unraveled like a team that never had played in this kind of pressure before.

Celtics 92, Magic 88: Recap | Box Score
Celtics Lead 3-2 | Next Game: Thursday @ Orlando, 7 PM ET

The Magic dissolved, missing their last eight shots in the final 5:39, watching a 85-75 lead turn into a 88-85 deficit amidst several bad possessions when the Celtics turned up the defensive pressure. The Magic managed only three free throws in the closing minute after the Celtics had taken control.

Game 6 will be Thursday in Orlando, where the Magic lost Tuesday night when Glen Davis beat them with a shot at the buzzer in Game 4.

"This is a game of wills. It's who wants it the most,'' said Boston's Paul Pierce. "It's all about never giving up, about playing with the heart of a champion.''

Davis led the Celtics with 22 points. Pierce had 19. The Magic may have lived by the 3-point shot throughout the season, but they are dying by it now.

They made only five of 27 from long range in the Game 4 loss. They made only six of 23 in Monday's Game 5 collapse. The Magic won in Boston in Game 1, but not before letting a 28-point lead get cut to three before escaping. That may have been a sign of things to come.

Boston's fourth-quarter spark was started by an unexpected performance from Stephon Marbury, who came to the rescue of starting point guard Rajon Rondo, who played poorly much of the night. Marbury had 12 points in the fourth quarter, starting the rally that Rondo eventually finished.

The Magic again failed to feed All-Star center Dwight Howard, who had only 12 points on 10 shots, fewer than three other Magic players. Celtics center Kendrick Perkins has thrown Howard off his low-post game in this series.

Latest NBA Playoff Photos

Orlando Magic players react from the bench in the last seconds against the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series in Boston on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Celtics came from behind to win 92-88. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Orlando Magic's Marcin Gortat, left, and Anthony Johnson react from the bench in the last seconds against the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series in Boston on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Celtics came from behind to win 92-88. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Boston Celtics forward Glen Davis (11) celebrates as he is congratulated by fans after Boston's 92-88 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinal basketball playoff series, on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, in Boston. Davis had 20 points. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

From left, Boston Celtics' Stephon Marbury, Kevin Garnett, Eddie House, and coach Doc Rivers celebrate in the last seconds against the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series in Boston on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Celtics came from behind to win 92-88. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Andrew Bynum (17) of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks over Luis Scola (L) and Chuck Hayes (R) of the Houston Rockets during Game 5 of their NBA Western Conference semi-final basketball playoff game in Los Angeles, May 12, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

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Kobe Bryant (R) of the Los Angeles Lakers drives around Shane Battier (L) of the Houston Rockets during Game 5 of their NBA Western Conference semi-final basketball playoff game in Los Angeles, May 12, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

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BOSTON - MAY 12: Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics celebrates his three-point shot to give them the lead over the Orlando Magic in the final minutes in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden May 12, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Magic 92-88. 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. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ray Allen

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BOSTON - MAY 12: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics celebrates the win over the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden May 12, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Magic 92-88. 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. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Paul Pierce

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Pau Gasol (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers gets around Chuck Hayes (R) of the Houston Rockets during Game 5 of their NBA Western Conference semi-final basketball playoff game in Los Angeles, May 12, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

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The Boston Celtics' Gabe Pruitt (top L), Stephon Marbury (bottom L) and Kevin Garnett look out from the bench in the fourth quarter of Game 5 of their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final basketball playoff series against the Orlando Magic in Boston, Massachusetts May 12, 2009. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

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