Magic shows its heart in win

BOSTON — Jeff Van Gundy is the brother of Orlando Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy and one of the wittiest voices in the NBA.

But broadcasting trumped brotherhood during the Boston Celtics’ Game 3 dismantling of the Magic, prompting Jeff to humorously wonder why Monday’s Game 4 should even be played given Orlando’s woeful effort on Saturday.

Here’s why: Magic 96, Celtics 92.

In overtime. On the road.

Anyone questioning the Magic’s heart now?

“If you don’t think you can win the series, then it’s just too easy to let go,” Stan Van Gundy said. “Our guys played hard. We got into the fight.”

The Magic responded with a victory few outside its locker room believed was coming, trimming the deficit in these Eastern Conference finals to 3-1. Game 5 is in Orlando on Wednesday night.

Neither team scored in overtime until Jameer Nelson banked home the first of consecutive three-point shots with 2:40 left. Nelson, who had 23 points, swished his second 41 seconds later.

“He’s got a lot of guts,” Stan Van Gundy said.

But the Magic inexplicably left Ray Allen to double-team Glen Davis, and Allen buried a huge three-pointer with 1:46 left.

Dwight Howard, huge with 32 points and 16 rebounds, responded with a second-effort hoop while being fouled after Davis blocked his initial attempt. But he missed the free throw, and Allen, who scored 22, snuck free for another three-pointer with 1:13 left.

Howard followed Nelson’s miss with 52.7 seconds left for a 96-92 Magic lead. Both teams turned it over, but Paul Pierce missed back-to-back three-pointers on the same possession from the top of the key to seal it.

Still, all 93 teams that have grabbed a 3-0 playoff lead have won the series.

“We executed poorly throughout the game,” Boston Coach Doc Rivers said. “We didn’t play well. They had far more energy. They jumped on us to start the game. They got all the loose balls and made all the extra plays.”

Stan Van Gundy said of the win: “Now we’re going home with . . . an understanding of how hard you have to play and fight.”

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