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Celtics shoot for commanding 3-0 series lead over visiting MagicBasketball Betting Lines05/22/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Celtics return to TD Garden tonight hoping to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference finals. Paul Pierce scored 28 points with five assists and five rebounds on Tuesday, as Boston took a surprising 2-0 edge in the set, downing Orlando, 95-92, in Game 2 at Amway Arena. "It was a great game, a game of runs," said Boston head coach Doc Rivers. "They brought the fight to us and we withstood the hits." The win marked the first time in the Celtics' storied history that the franchise has taken two straight road games to start a playoff series. It was also the team's fifth straight playoff triumph overall, as well as Orlando's second straight home loss for the first time all season. In fact, Orlando had not lost consecutive home games since Games 4 and 5 of last season's NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Pierce fouled out with 31.9 seconds left in the game and Boston clinging to a 95-92 lead, and watched from the bench as Vince Carter missed two key free throws. After a Kevin Garnett miss at the other end, the Magic had one last chance, which ended in Jameer Nelson's off-balance 30-foot heave that drew air just short of the rim. Rajon Rondo added 25 points with eight assists and five boards for the Celtics while Garnett and Kendrick Perkins donated 10 points apiece for Boston. Dwight Howard, in a far better effort than his 13-point showing in the series opener last Sunday, scored a game-best 30 points with eight rebounds, while Carter and JJ Redick added 16 points apiece for Orlando. "We have to go play the next game and win it," said Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy. "We played harder, but we don't sustain it." The Celtics, who have never blown a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series, now have a chance to advance to the Finals without leaving Beantown but the team struggled on its home floor this season, compiling just a 24-17 mark as the host, tied for the worst of all teams that made the playoffs. Boston, which was 26-15 as the visitor in the regular season, was one of just two NBA teams that was better on the road than at home, the first time the C's had a better record on the road than at home since 1974. The Celtics have seemed to rebound in the postseason, however, compiling a 5-1 home mark so far in the playoffs. "I think our guys are getting comfortable playing at home again," Rivers said. "I feel pretty good about it," Perkins added. "I think this Game 3 is the most important, though. We can't give them any hope." The Magic do have hope though. Van Gundy's club was one of two teams to win twice in Boston this year and also topped the Celtics in Beantown twice in the playoffs last season, including the deciding Game 7 in the Eastern Conference semifinals -- Boston's first-ever loss at home in a seventh game. "We have won there before, and there's no reason we can't do it again," Magic forward Rashard Lewis said. "Boston came to us and beat us twice on our home court, so it's happened before. Why can't we do it? "Last year, Boston never lost a Game 7 on their home floor. We went in and beat them. It can happen." The Magic won three of four games vs. the Celtics in the regular season this year and has taken both previous playoff matchups between the two franchises, last year's semifinals set and a first round win back in the 1994-95 season. The best-of-seven series continues on Monday in Boston for Game 4.
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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday. Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine. El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year. MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle. New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele. Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.'' Additional baseball lines and World Series odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards. |
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