Celtics v Magic, Game 5 Play by Play

I'll be honest. I've felt better, I didn't get any sleep last night and I've got that 'I-can-feel-every-part-of-my-face-and-it's-quite-disconcerting-me' thing going on. But none of that matters as the epic that is the Celtics postseason continues with Game 5 of the Conference Semis, Back in Boston.

Let's see if I can blog this game as it happens.

5.28 1st Quarter - Doc takes the Boston's first timeout as the Magic go on a 6-0 run to lead 10-8. Dwight already has four boards, Turkoglu 6 points and Ray Allen looks like he warmed up in a fridge. Boston will need Paul Pierce to step up if they are to win this series and he has started 1/3 with 4 points.

I swear May and June are my unhealthiest months of the year. The nights out are par for the course but it's the nervous eating that kills me. Every time Rashard Lewis drives into the lane I take another bite of pitta and houmous.

Allen just missed again, he is on a 0/11 run from downtown.

1.29 1st Quarter - Rafer Alston sinks a three as the Celtic offense looks anaemic. 8, yes 8, rebounds for Dwight Howard.

Was it ever a good idea to have a sporting mascot that needs a walking stick?

End 1st Quarter - 22-16 to the Magic. Of the four games played previous to this in this series, only one has been won by a team trailing after one.

11.40 2nd Quarter - That's not good. Second foul on Kendrick Perkins; really need him in there as much as possible to limit Howard as he has done effectively all year.

10.32 2nd Quarter - Great move from Big Baby, finding space and making the lay up over Dwight Howard. And now House wide open...Yes! 26-23 Orlando. Go Celtics!

Dwight Howard just voided the warranty on the ring with a slam.

8.46 2nd Quarter - Everything good is going through Glen Davis right now. We are seeing this guy mature in front of our eyes. He looks calm, controlled and is creating space for teammates.

Orlando pull away to 33-23 as Celtics continue to miss good looks at the basket. The Magic have a ruthless streak to their execution and a suffocating presence on both ends of the floor right now.

5.35 2nd Quarter - Magic take a timeout as Scalabrine hits a 3 and then Eddie House steals the ball and forces his way to the basket. 33-28 Orlando. Boston really dont look all that comfortable and appear to be relying more on the fastbreak and outside shots to score, as opposed to the Magic who can't help but get inside with Paul Pierce off the floor and Perkins already with 2 fouls. Celtics are going to need to get hot from the field and play on the emotion of the fans because the Magic have really come to play.

Rashard Lewis moves to 6/7 as he works on Ray Allen.

I could pretend to be confident now but the fact is I've just opened another pack of biscuits.

Allen nails a three. Thats big. Now a steal...but Orlando get the ball back and go the FT line. 40-33 Magic as Van Gundy takes a timeout with 2.30 to go in the quarter.

Rajon Rondo has 6 rebounds. Has there ever been a 6'1 Point Guard who has averaged almost almost 10 rebounds a game in the playoffs?

1.01 2nd Quarter - Beautiful fake and shot by Pierce bring Celtics within 5...until Alston scores from Threeland. They have responded to everything the Celtics have offered so far. Orlando do a real good job of camouflaging and covering for the weaknesses of J.J Reddick.

End 2nd Quarter - 45-37 Orlando at the break as Glen Davis sends up a brick to end the half; endemic of their struggles as they are only scoring on 35% of their shots at this stage. Not a whole lot to love if you are a Celtics fan right now; Orlando look sharper and more organised. Ray Allen has a line of 3-1-2 with three turnovers, has yet to get to the line and is being outplayed by the afforementioned Reddick.

What do the teams need to do? For Orlando, essentially to maintain the intensity on D and the aggressive offence that has typified the first half. For the Celtics (considering game 6 is in Orlando), they have to alter the tide of this game; make their shots, defend the lane better, lift the intensity and put pressure on the Magic.

We are underway in the 3rd.

Ray Allen misses a jumper and Rafer Alston goes up the other end and scores...with the foul.

10.37 3rd Quarter - Turkoglu just showed some quality, giving Davis the shake and hitting to give the Magic a 50-39 lead. The Celtics really need some defensive plays if they are to go on a run and get back in this game.

9.03 3rd Quater - That could be costly. Howard grabs yet another board only to push Rondo to the ground. Third foul on Dwight. Rondo's loving that driving teardrop shot right now. I'm not.

Boston within six as Pierce has started the second half very well.

Stan Van Gundy looks anything but panicky at this stage, virtually turning a bench chair into a recliner. He looks like a Stan, or a Bruce or Jeff. Either way, its not pretty. He looks like a man you would meet at a convention centre by the buffet. And not make eye contact with.

Orlando push their lead to 11 as Gortat scores with just under five minutes to go in the quarter. Marbury looks particularly innefective out there at the moment. Maybe he is warming up.

2.49 3rd Quarter - With the shot clock winding down, Ray Allen produces a moment of genius as he goes behind the back on the dribble before laying the ball in. Neither team is finding scoring easy at this stage but perhaps that can kick start Allen and Boston.

1.23 3rd Quarter - Every time the Celtics get within touching distance, Orlando has an answer. First its Rashard Lewis (who Boston have no answer for) then Mickael Pietrus from the left wing. 62-54 Orlando.

Alston with a deep three. Pierce responds with a drive to the post. Two and the foul, which he converts. Back within five...for a matter of seconds before Turkoglu gets his own chance for a three point play. Boston cannot take advantage of Howard being off the floor or produce the defence to put a run together.

End 3rd Quarter - 67-59 Orlando as Eddie House releases the 3 too late. There is no evidence that Boston will recover and win this game but I've got a feeling that Coach Rivers and Coach KG might just have something to say to motivate the Champs.

The first action of the fourth sees Allen miss a three point attempt and Dwight Howard returns with a bucket and the foul.

9.29 4th Quarter - Turkoglu now scores and goes to the line. Orlando have everything going there way now as Perkins will have to sit with 4 fouls.

Orlando have stretched away and this one might be beyond the Celtics now. 77-63 Magic as Pietrus gets the alleyoop. It's quiet in the garden.

Out of a timeout, Marbury hits a pretty looking three and now has seven in a matter of minutes. Marbury pulls up again...yes! He has all 9 of their points in the quarter.

7.16 4th Quarter - Big Baby connects over Howard and the lead is cut to 9. But Orlando respond again. Boston have to score points but the lack of D continues to hurt them.

5.55 4th Quarter - Whatever happens here, Stephon Marbury has showcased his ability and proved that he can contribute. Two more points and 11 in less than 6 minutes. Marbury now sinks a free throw and its 83-75 Orlando.

3.56 4th Quarter - Don't count them out just yet. Consecutives jump shots from Big Baby and they're back within six. If they can score the next basket it is really on... Timeout Orlando.

Orlando have blown big leads before and there has to be a sense of concern on their bench. If Boston were to knick another game in this series then it's hard to see Orlando recovering. First the Celts need that defensive stand. And get it. Rondo feeds Pierce...two more. The lead is down to 4.

The crowd are really into it now and Orlando have gone cold.

2.35 4th Quarter - I'm not sure I believe this. Allen pulls up and finds Kendrick Perkins under the basket who finishes. Orlando 85, Boston 83. Celtics on a 20-8 and an 8-0 run.

BOSTON TAKE THE LEAD!!! Allen spinning on the arc and hits the three! 86-85 Boston as Allen redeems his whole evening of futility in one stroke. The roof is coming off the garden!

Orlando take a timeout as they try to recover their composure and get back to the gameplan after a couple of poor offensive series. Kanye, this is amazing.

1.20 remaining in the ball game. I am literally shaking with nerves and excitement.

Boston defend Orlando's advances and there is less than 50 seconds remaining. Where has the fluency and command gone for the Magic?

36.2 4th Quarter - Boston catch a huge break as Rondo shoots the three with the shot clock at 0 and seemingly missing the target as it falls into the arms of Kendrick Perkins but, upon review, they rule it hit (and it literally must have grazed) and it is Celtic ball. Boston will use the clock and try to hit the shot that guarentees them at least overtime.

Rondo gets the inbound, to Pierce, Davis, Allen has to hurry the shot and it bounces clear but straight to Paul Pierce! Orlando are forced to foul and with 8.5 seconds remaining, Eddie House will go to the line with a chance to make this comeback virtually complete.

Free throw 1 - In, Boston up 87-85

Free throw 2 - In! Three point lead and Orlando have it all to do. The Celtics are on a 13-0 run and the Magic are 0 for their last 7 shots.

7.3 4th Quarter - Inbound to Rashard Lewis who is immediately fouled by Paul Pierce. Smart play by the Celtics. Lewis sinks both and its 88-87 Boston.

6.2 4th Quarter - Ray Allen gets the ball and is fouled. The 95% FT shooter steps to the line...and scores both. Back to a three point lead and Orlando have to tak their final timeout. Its all or nothing now for the Magic.

Turkoglu inbounds to Howard who is fouled! They give it to their worst FT shooter, 1/1 tonight but a 55% shooter this season. Of course, he strokes in the first.

5.9 4th Quarter - Howard tries to miss the second for the rebound but Pierce tips it to Davis who hangs on and is fouled. The tactics of the endgame have slowed the finish but it is hardly less gripping. Davis can ice this if he gets both. And he does. The Celtics win. I can hardly believe I wrote that. It seemed that Orlando had this one won and that Boston had no answer to their relentless defence. Wow.

For all their ills, and their are numerous failings in this Boston team right now, you simply cannot question their heart, desire and composure when it matters. Off to Orlando for game 6. Worth staying up for? I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep tonight after that.

Boston Wins 92-88 (Leads Best of Seven Series 3-2)