Home Away From Home: Celtics Up 2-0

ORLANDO, Fla. -- That much-talked-about home-court advantage sure looks overrated now.

The Boston Celtics won their fourth consecutive playoff road game Tuesday night, beating the Orlando Magic, 95-92, to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

The Celtics, in their illustrious history, never have lost a playoff series after taking a 2-0 lead. They beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the semifinal round without home court, and they clearly are perched to beat the Magic.

Hero of the Day

Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo shared the honors Tuesday, getting 28 and 25 points, respectively, to carry the Celtics to another big victory. Pierce got the Celtics off quickly with 22 points in the first half. Rondo dominated the second half by directing the Celtics through a tense second half, making a big steal late in the game that helped preserve the victory.

MAGIC vs. CELTICS

Game 2: Celtics 95, Magic 92 | Box Score
Whitley: Magic's Chances Slipping Away
Povtak: Celtics at Home in Orlando
Video: Ref Throws Ball at Fan
SI's Thomsen: C's Look Like Legit Contenders
Povtak: Rashard Must Earn Paycheck

Game 3: Sat., May 22 | Series Schedule

Turning Point

The veteran Celtics withstood a late Magic rally and stayed tight to win at the end. After letting an 11-point advantage dissolve, and with a raucous crowd screaming in delight, the Celtics fell behind by one, then bounced back with baskets by Kevin Garnett and Rondo.

Key Coaching Decision

Boston coach Doc Rivers, saddled with foul trouble, used Glen Davis as the second center behind Kendrick Perkins instead of Rasheed Wallace in the second half. Davis responded by playing well, taking two charges and finishing with eight points and six rebounds.

Outside the Box

Forward Kevin Garnett was quiet again offensively, hitting only five of 16 shots, but he grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, took his turn guarding Dwight Howard and helped the Celtics keep the pressure on the Magic late in the game with his leadership. He also blocked a pair a shots.

You Had To Be There

Official Joe DeRosa, badgered by fans before leaving the court at halftime, lost his cool momentarily, tossing the basketball across the scorer's table to a heckler, who immediately tossed it back a little harder. The fan got ejected by security personnel at the request of DeRosa. It was a well-to-do Magic fan, who just happened to be a friend of Celtics coach Doc Rivers.