Eddie House scored 31 points off the bench to lead the Boston Celtics past Orlando Magic to a 112-94 victory on Wednesday tying their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final playoff series 1-1.
Ray Allen added 22 points for Boston, but it was House who emerged an unlikely hero, making 11 out of 14 shots, and four three-pointers.
Rajon Rondo notched a triple-double with 15 points, 18 assists and 11 of Boston's 41 rebounds, firing the Celtics to a commanding15-point lead at half-time.
Rondo's effort, along with 16 points from Kendrick Perkins, covered for All-Star forward Paul Pierce, who managed just four attempted shots in only 16 minutes on court.
"I thought the whole team played with great energy," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "Clearly, (the Magic) got what they wanted, they got a win and now they have home court advantage."
Mickael Pietrus and Rashard Lewis had 17 points each for the Magic, who posed little threat after half-time in a sharp departure from their spirited 95-90 win in the first game.
"They dominated from the get-go, even in the first quarter they set a pretty good tone," said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy.
(Xinhua News Agency May 7, 2009)
