Orlando hold off Boston challenge with some magic from Carter
Celtics lose way after being tied at 78-78 with three minutes remaining
Boston : Vince Carter scored 10 of his game-high 26 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Orlando Magic to a 83-78 victory over the Boston Celtics on Friday.
Carter, who joined Orlando in the off-season, shone in a defensive battle between two of the top sides in the Eastern Conference.
Orlando scored the game's final five points after Carter's turnaround jumper with 2.32 remaining broke a 78-78 tie.
"I enjoy playing big games. I live for it," Carter told reporters after attempting a season-high 29 shots. "We really respect [the Celtics], they're one of the best. We're trying to get there consistently and prove ourselves in the same way."
Paul Pierce scored 21 points for Boston, who shot 34 per cent from the field and lost for the third time in four games.
Grudge match
Boston were trying to earn a measure of revenge against Orlando, who eliminated them from last year's playoffs in seven games when Kevin Garnett was sidelined with a knee injury. With Garnett now returned to health and Boston having made key acquisitions, including forward Rasheed Wallace, the team is looking to return to the form that earned them an NBA championship in 2008.
After reaching the NBA Finals a year ago, Orlando have also made personnel changes, starting with a trade for Carter. The eight-time All-Star has helped them start the year at 10-3 despite team-wide injuries.
Against the Celtics, Orlando used a 15-2 run in the first quarter to establish early control of the game.
Ray Allen tallied nine of his 15 points in the second, where Boston pulled closer to trail 43-40 at halftime before the Magic again claimed the momentum in the second half.
Rashard Lewis contributed 16 points in his third game since serving a 10-game suspension for taking a banned substance and Mickael Pietrus added 14 for Orlando.
The Magic were without starting point guard Jameer Nelson who will miss 4-6 weeks following knee surgery yet still managed their fourth straight win.
RESULTS
Cleveland 105 INDIANA 95
Memphis 102 PHI'DELPHIA 97
TORONTO 120 Miami 113
ATLANTA 105 Houston 103
Orlando 83 BOSTON 78
OKLAHOMA 127 Washington 108
DALLAS 104 Sacramento 102
MILWAUKEE 95 Charlotte 88
(home team in CAPS)
