The Boston Celtics rolled to their ninth straight win a 106-88 victory over the Orlando Magic Monday night at the TD Banknorth Garden.
The Magic came into the game having won their last four overall and the last six on the road. But when you take on the defending NBA Champs in their own building you better bring your A-game because you are going to need it if you plan on winning.
Orlando decided to go with a short bench tonight and a seven man rotation for Stan VanGundy’s boys and after being down 10 after the first quarter they climbed back into at the half down only 2 points at the break. It looked like it might just work but once again a strong third quarter and a solid forth as well for the Green led to another victory in front of full happy house in Boston.
Boston (17-2) was led by Paul Piece who had 24 points and 7 boards, Ray Allen had 21 points, Rajon Rondo had a double-double with 16 points and 12 assists and Kendrick Perkins had 13 rebounds and 8 points.
Orlando (13-5) got 30 points from Rashard Lewis and 19 points from Hedu Turkoglu in the loss. Dwight Howard had a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds.
There were 9 technical fouls called tonight and only one was a defensive technical. Orlando mustered three plus the defensive call, while Boston had five including Perkins 9th of the year and two called on Sam Cassell while on the bench. He may just be the first player in NBA history to be thrown out of game this far into the season without having played a minute the entire year.
The Celtics stay at home to face the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday at the TD Banknorth Garden.
