Celtics enjoy laugher

Comedy aside, the kind of moribund play the Magic exhibited last night led to Rivers's firing a little over a year ago. The contest was never close, which represented a pleasant change for the inconsistent Celtics as they snapped a four-game losing streak and handed Orlando only its second home loss this season.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to come here and win," said Rivers. "Not because I dislike Orlando's team. More because I've been here. I know Johnny. I know Pat. I know Grant. And I'm going to have dinner with them this summer at some point and I don't want them talking about how they killed us. I can say something now. But for me, it couldn't be about me. It had to be about the players, and the players answered."

The Celtics made sure they got attention by setting season highs in points, field goals (45), and offensive rebounds (16), though they lost the overall battle on the boards (56-46). Other than rebounding, Boston dominated Orlando by setting a quick pace on offense and getting back on defense. The Celtics racked up 30 fast-break points (23 in the first half). Many of the 70 points Boston scored in the paint came as a result of dunks and layups on the run. On the other end, the Celtics held the Magic to 39 percent from the floor.

Trailing, 69-45, at halftime, the Magic left the court to jeers from the same crowd of 12,124 that graciously cheered Rivers during introductions. An early 14-2 run set the tone for the visitors' performance. They finished the first quarter ahead, 37-20, shooting 64 percent. Paul Pierce scored with ease inside, converting layup after layup. Raef LaFrentz also continued to make significant offensive contributions, just as he did early against Miami Sunday night.

With a 15-4 run early in the second, Boston stretched its advantage to a game-high 27 (60-33) with a layup by LaFrentz. But in many ways, the quarter belonged to Marcus Banks, who scored 9 of his season-high 20 points as he continues to make the most of his opportunities. With rookie Delonte West (fractured right hand) once again injured, Banks returned to the backup point guard spot after recording a DNP-CD against Miami.