Game 3: Orlando Magic 117, Boston Celtics 96

Dwight Howard left the game with his fifth foul early in the fourth quarter. Boston had been cutting into a 20-point lead and had it down to single digits as Marcin Gortat hopped off the bench.

This seemed to spell doom as the Magic seemed to be faltering with another big lead in the playoffs.

History would not repeat itself this time.

Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu took control of the offense and ensured an Orlando victory and a 2-1 series lead. Lewis scored 28 points and Turkoglu added 24 to as the Magic scored 39 points in the fourth quarter to run away with a 117-96 victory.

It was a great team effort from Orlando especially without Rafer Alston, suspended for that head-slapping incident in Game Two. It was clear from the start that this game was going to be vastly different from the previous one.

The effort was simply there this time. The defense was moving and active. And more importantly, Dwight Howard was patrolling the paint more actively and playing the role of dominator. He kept people from attacking the rim and set the tone early for the Magic's defense.

He was key in that regard.

What was key offensively was getting Howard some good looks in the post -- and he was going after the glass and trying to score -- and attcking the basket. For the first time all series, the Magic did not settle for 3-pointers. Lewis was attacking the basket as well and the 3-point looks the Magic got were all good looks.

Orlando shot a surprisingly efficient nine for 18 from beyond the arc. That is the kind of effort the team needs -- not the nine for 25 efforts they sometimes have.

Also interestingly, the Magic found themselves at the line a lot more than the Celtics. This seems to be the BIG key to the series. Orlando shot 36 free throws, hitting 30 of them, while Boston had 26 attempts. The disparity was even larger as the Magic bulit the lead in the second and third quarters.

Boston did not really have an answer for Orlando's increased efforts. It was clear that the Celtics were trying to get Paul Pierce more involved. He was able to get to the line (14 of 14) and scored 27 points.

Eddie House did not match his effort from Game Two, but he did get free a few times. Rajon Rondo was largely kept out of the paint, and Howard worked as a deterrent.

I think the Magic found the formula to beat the Celtics, now it is about copying it with effort and finishing the series off.