Magic 83, Celtics 78: Potential Preview Of Next Magic-Celtics Game?

These two teams will face each other again on Christmas Day. You opened your present early; hope you're happy. For more, check out our Celtics blog,  appropriately named CelticsBlog, and our Magic blog, Third Quarter Collapse.

Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Vince Carter finished with 26 points, six rebounds and six assists, as the Orlando Magic pulled out an 83-78 victory over Boston in a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Magic won that series in seven games on their way to the NBA Finals, and took the first meeting between the clubs this season thanks to their defense. While Orlando shot just 41.4 percent -- including a 10-of-29 mark from Carter -- the Magic held Boston to 34.5 percent.

Rashard Lewis added 16 points and 10 boards for Orlando, which has won four in a row. Dwight Howard pulled down 15 rebounds and scored nine in the victory, while Mickael Pietrus ended with 14 points.

Paul Pierce had 21 points to pace Boston, which has lost three of four overall. Ray Allen added 15 points and six assists, while Kevin Garnett had 13 points and 11 boards in the setback.

Rasheed Wallace totaled 13 rebounds and nine points for the Celtics, including a jumper with just under three minutes to go, which tied the game at 78-78.

After an Orlando timeout, Carter connected on a basket on the other end, and the teams missed their next several shots, ushering the game to the final minute.

Then, Pierce was whistled for a foul on Lewis, who sank two free throws with 58.4 seconds on the clock to make it a four-point game.

Allen lost the ball on Boston's next possession, though the Celtics got another chance to trim their deficit after Orlando's Jason Williams missed a jumper. But on a drive to the hoop with a number of Magic defenders in his path, Pierce shot the ball into the right side of the backboard.

Williams got the rebound and was fouled with 10.5 left, and sank one attempt to seal the Orlando victory.

The Magic used a 12-0 burst early in the first quarter to take the lead. Pietrus drilled a pair of threes, while Williams ended the run with a layup for a 17-6 lead.

Orlando scored the final five points of the quarter to take a 29-13 advantage into the second, but Boston opened the new frame with seven points. Points were scarce for the Magic, as they scored just 14 in the quarter to allow the Celtics to get back in the contest.

With a little under three minutes left in the half, Kendrick Perkins hit 1- of-2 from the line to end an 8-1 Celtics stretch that got them within 39-36. Boston trailed 43-40 at the break.

Orlando continued to play in front in the third quarter, taking a 66-59 lead into the fourth. Boston got two baskets from Allen to start the final period, tightening the contest to a one-possession affair.

It remained close down the stretch, and a Garnett layup drew the Celtics within 78-76 with 3 1/2 minutes to go.

These teams split last season's four-game series, with each team winning one home and away...Orlando shot 10-of-22 from beyond the arc, while the Celtics were just 2-for-19...The Magic sank just 15-of-26 free throws, while the Celtics were 16-for-18 from the line...Orlando had 21 turnovers, including six from Carter.

- Via Sports Network.