Orlando avoids a sweep with OT win

Associated Press

BOSTON

Put away the brooms. Hold off on those “Beat L.A!” chants. The Boston Celtics still have some work to do before they can play for their second NBA title in three years.

Jameer Nelson made back-to-back 3-pointers in overtime, Dwight Howard had 32 points and 16 rebounds, and the Orlando Magic beat the Celtics 96-92 on Monday night to avoid a four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference finals.

Dressing in the same locker room where the Philadelphia Flyers celebrated their comeback from a 3-0 deficit against the Boston Bruins in the NHL’s East semifinals, the Magic avoided elimination and sent the series back to Orlando for Game 5 on Wednesday night.

No NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit.

“Got to go back to Orlando,” Howard said. “Hopefully everybody back there will be ready. Have to keep the faith.”

Paul Pierce had 32 points and 11 rebounds, and Kevin Garnett had 14 points and 12 boards for Boston. Ray Allen hit consecutive 3-pointers in overtime, but Pierce missed two tries in the final minute as the Celtics failed to complete the sweep.

Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics went to the locker room late in the first half.

Rondo was suffering from muscle spasms and left the court to stretch out, Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss said.

The point guard left the game with 1:16 remaining in the first half with the Magic leading 48-42. He had five points, four assists and one rebound and was in the starting lineup for the second half. He entered the game averaging 14.7 points, 9.3 assists and 4 rebounds in the series.