Block Party: Turkoglu, Magic clinch playoff spot

With Indiana also losing 111-107 to New Jersey Sunday, Orlando clinched the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference, heading to the postseason for the first time since 2003.

Trailing 78-59 heading into the fourth, Boston exploded on a 27-9 rally and Al Jefferson’s layup with 57.7 seconds left trimmed its deficit all the way down to 87-86.

Jameer Nelson misfired on a jumper as the shot-clock expired, but Dwight Howard got the rebound and fouled with 13.5 seconds to go. However, he missed both free throws for the Magic.

Rajon Rondo cut hard down the lane, but had his layup attempt blocked by Turkoglu and the ball was caught by Howard, who then immediately got fouled again with 4.6 seconds remaining. He converted 1-of-2 for a two-point Orlando cushion.

On the ensuing possession, West drove around the left wing, but Turkoglu came up big again with another block from behind, as the Magic began playoff preparation.

Nelson and Grant Hill both scored 16 points for the Magic, who have won four of their last five games. Keyon Dooling netted 12 points off the bench, and Howard added 10 points and 14 rebounds in the win.

Jefferson scored 28 points for Boston, which is on a seven-game losing streak. West scored 19 points and Rondo added 16 for the Celtics, who have dropped eight of their last nine games overall.

The first 12 minutes went back and forth and Boston edged a 24-23 lead heading into the second. The Magic closed the second stanza on an 11-4 run as Dooling’s free throw in the final seconds made it a 48-40 halftime margin in favor of the home team.

After Jefferson and West scored a pair of buckets in the first minute of the second half, Orlando took off on a 16-4 run, capped by a Hill three-point play for a 64-48 lead, and increased it to 78-59 heading into the fourth.

Game Notes

The Magic were 3-1 against Boston this season...The Celtics have lost four straight and five of their last six at Orlando.