Post by Nathanjyd on Dec 1, 2005 16:15:41 GMT -5
The Battle at the Fleet
Who would have imagined Larry Bird stepping out onto that mystic Fleet Center floor in anything other than the Boston 33—much less a Magic 33? Larry Bird took on the dismal Celtics on day 59 and it turned out to be a slug fest in which every play counted, and every shot mattered.
Bird led the 20-18 Magic against the 15-26 Celtics. The star studded Magic, seem to be underachieving with some top notch talent such as Bird, Wade, Eaton Perovic and Lambier. Going into the game expecting little competition, the Magic were startled when the Celtics came out of the game with a 27-18 lead in the first. Washington and Bird exchanged basket for basket in an almost astonishing fashion.
The Magic came out on top in the second and third quarters, not surprisingly and took control of the game. Bird torched his former team and led an attack which was firing on all cylinders. The Magic took a three point lead into the fourth and also the momentum.
Washington and Bird played nearly the entire game, and weren’t in position to rest during the fourth. Washington played shut down defense on Gibson and Eaton, and then converted on nearly every position on the opposing end. Washington out shot Bird from the field, behind the arc, and from the stripe in a convincing manner. Washington led his team to a 38 point fourth quarter and the victory over Bird’s Magic.
Bird finished with 37 points, five rebounds, and three assists while shooting 58% from the floor and an uncharacteristic 57% from the line. Perovic and Lambier both chipped in with 22 in the loss.
Washington finished with possibly the best game of his career notching a career best 40 points, grabbing six rebounds, and dishing out ten dimes. He shot an unbelievable 63% from the field. Abdur Rahim, playing well under the new system, also had a great game scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds. The rookie of the year candidate, Woolridge, also scored 22 in the victory.
The new Boston owner after the game was reported as saying “It feels good to win and have impressive young players doing great thing like Darius and Orlando. We did what the coach preached and shot better from the line and won. I’m proud of the team”
Who would have imagined Larry Bird stepping out onto that mystic Fleet Center floor in anything other than the Boston 33—much less a Magic 33? Larry Bird took on the dismal Celtics on day 59 and it turned out to be a slug fest in which every play counted, and every shot mattered.
Bird led the 20-18 Magic against the 15-26 Celtics. The star studded Magic, seem to be underachieving with some top notch talent such as Bird, Wade, Eaton Perovic and Lambier. Going into the game expecting little competition, the Magic were startled when the Celtics came out of the game with a 27-18 lead in the first. Washington and Bird exchanged basket for basket in an almost astonishing fashion.
The Magic came out on top in the second and third quarters, not surprisingly and took control of the game. Bird torched his former team and led an attack which was firing on all cylinders. The Magic took a three point lead into the fourth and also the momentum.
Washington and Bird played nearly the entire game, and weren’t in position to rest during the fourth. Washington played shut down defense on Gibson and Eaton, and then converted on nearly every position on the opposing end. Washington out shot Bird from the field, behind the arc, and from the stripe in a convincing manner. Washington led his team to a 38 point fourth quarter and the victory over Bird’s Magic.
Bird finished with 37 points, five rebounds, and three assists while shooting 58% from the floor and an uncharacteristic 57% from the line. Perovic and Lambier both chipped in with 22 in the loss.
Washington finished with possibly the best game of his career notching a career best 40 points, grabbing six rebounds, and dishing out ten dimes. He shot an unbelievable 63% from the field. Abdur Rahim, playing well under the new system, also had a great game scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds. The rookie of the year candidate, Woolridge, also scored 22 in the victory.
The new Boston owner after the game was reported as saying “It feels good to win and have impressive young players doing great thing like Darius and Orlando. We did what the coach preached and shot better from the line and won. I’m proud of the team”
