BOSTON — The Boston Celtics needed energy. They needed a spark.
They needed, you guessed it, Eddie House.
House scored a career high 31 points, which is also a playoff record for a Celtics bench player, to help even the series at 1-1 with the Orlando Magic.
While there were several areas of Celtics dominance last night, including passing (34 assists), defense (the Magic had 64 points through three quarters) and rebounding (Celts 41, Magic 34), the biggest difference was House.
"Eddie House was unbelievable," said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. "I've seen some great shooting shows in my life, but that was incredible. He got some open ones, but he hit some that were incredible."
Even more amazing is that House didn't get off the bench in the first quarter.
The backup guard scored his points over 28 minutes and was equally efficient in the last three quarters. He scored 11 points in the second and third quarters and finished with nine more points in the fourth.
"It just feels good," said House. "You just want to keep on getting shots every chance you get, but at the same time you don't want to force anything."
House made 11 of 14 shots and was 4-for-4 from behind the 3-point arc.
Unsung hero
Celtics forward Brian Scalabrine played 35 minutes and had eight points, including two 3-pointers, but it was his defense on Rashard Lewis that earned him accolades.
Lewis finished with 17 points.
"Scal came through for us again," said coach Doc Rivers.
Hedo's horrors
When Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu was in the game in the first half, the Celtics scored 25 more points than the Magic did.
On the other side of the ledger was Celts guard Rajon Rondo, who had eight points, 12 assists and seven rebounds in the first half.
J.J. kept Magic alive early
While the Magic struggled early, ex-Duke star J.J. Redick hit three 3-pointers and scored 11 points in the first quarter alone. Redick has been starting for the injured Courtney Lee, who was out with a sinus injury.
"I felt pretty fortunate to be where we were at the end of the first quarter (trailing 26-21), mainly because J.J. stepped up and made some big shots," said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. "I thought maybe we would turn it around and get it going but we never did."
Redick finished with 15 points but fouled out and was ejected from the court after getting a pair of technicals.
Bird has some company
Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, has entered uncharted territory in only his second post-season. Rondo, 23, tallied 15 points, 11 rebounds and 18 assists for this third triple-double in nine playoff games. He became only the second Celtic in the franchise's history to record three triple-doubles in one post-season. The other guy to do it was Larry Bird, who did it three times in the 1986 playoffs (one against Milwaukee and two against Houston).
Magic Lee-der to return
The Magic's shooting guard, Courtney Lee, is expected to return to the lineup for Game 3 tomorrow night in Orlando. Lee's sinus cavity in his nose was injured after an inadvertent elbow from teammate Dwight Howard last week in their series with Philadelphia. He was possibly going to suit up for last night's game, but he was still trying to get used to the mask and needs another day of practice, according to Van Gundy.
Faces in the crowd
Last night was Celtics legends night with Hall of Famers Bill Russell, John Havlicek, K.C. Jones and, of course, regulars Tommy Heinsohn and JoJo White.
Also taking in the action was ex-Patriot Ty Law was with his wife and son. Comedian Lenny Clarke and his wife Jennifer Miller were guests of Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck.
They said it
"We lost our composure. They came out ready to play and we didn't match their intensity from the jump ball. ... I am my own worst critic but as captain and leader of the team I have to bring it every night and the rest of the team will follow," said Orlando's Dwight Howard, who only has 12 points and 12 rebounds.
"It's all I thought about after the loss was how sluggish I started the game (Game 1). I can make a lot of excuses, but I just didn't come out and play with great passion that first half and it was too late in the second half. ... I would never have that happen again," said Celts guard Rajon Rondo.
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