Orlando, FL - The season was on the line, and Nets superstar center Yao Ming wasn't about to go down without putting up a fight.
He got plenty of help too.
The New Jersey Nets, despite trailing the whole game, made a big 4th quarter rally in which they scored 43 points, to hold off the Orlando Magic in the Amway Arena and successfully forced a game 6. They are heading back to New Jersey, not going for a fishing trip, but rather, for another fierce battle.
Yao Ming dominated the game with his all around play, ending the game with 24 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and a game high 6 blocks, 3 of which were on the Magic's premier center Dwight Howard. Yao made 11 of his 19 field goal attempts in 30 minutes of play.
"This game is very important to the team" said Yao "They needed me to deliver, so that's what i tried to do"
Yao was helped tremendously by co-captain Devin Harris and rookie Leo Lai. Harris had 28 points, 8 assists and 2 steals on 10 for 16 shooting from the field, while the rookie and sixth man of the year Leo Lai dropped in a game high 29 points off the bench, Lai also had 2 rare and spectacular blocks in the contest.
The Nets trailed by as many as 14 early in the 4th, but a crafty timeout and player substitutions by head coach Lawrence Frank did the trick, as the Nets went on a roll, and eventually taking a 1 point lead with a little more then 1 minute remaining. A few defensive stops by both teams later, the rookie Leo Lai made a clutch, contested 3 pointer with less then 20 seconds remaining to give the Nets a 4 point lead. New Jersey was then able to sustain the lead with some free throws to win the game, 126-122.
Sean Williams flirted with a triple double with 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists while Luol Deng contributed 13 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals in 33 minutes of playing time. But the true hero of tonight's contest was veteran Eric Snow, who was activated for tonight's game in place of Anthony Johnson. Snow had only played in 6 regular season games, and the rust showed as he had 4 turnovers in 16 minutes off the bench, however, the 37 year old veteran contributed 8 points and 4 dimes in that 16 minute period, and set the tone for the offense.
"He made us become aggressive" said Lai, who had 8 free throw attempts in the game "He came in while we were down big early, and attacked the basket. He was the one who forced Jameer (Nelson) into foul trouble, Jameer was torching us before that"
Nelson had 28 points and 8 assists, as well as 3 steals for the Orlando Magic; he shot 11 for 17 from the field and an impressive 6 for 10 from beyond the arc, but was limited to just 23 minutes of play due to foul troubles. Rashard Lewis dropped in 25 points and 6 boards, while Courtney Lee added in 18 points, 9 assists, and 4 rebounds.
"I was on a roll early on, but they did a good job and made me get my 3rd, 4th foul and sent me to the bench" said Nelson "I think the game would have been ours had i managed to stay on the floor, it's my fault"
Vince Carter scored 17 points and dished out 5 dimes in the defeat whole Mickael Pietrus had 15 off the bench. Dwight Howard, however, was held to just 12 points and 9 rebounds (11 shot attempts) by Nets' Yao Ming.
None of the other Magic players were a factor.
Jackson, Wilcox, Knight, and Jerebko were all scoreless, while Jarvis Hayes and Johan Petro combined for a mere 7 points off the bench. Brevin Knight did registered 10 assist though, but Stan Van Gundy is clearly not happy with his bench production apart from Pietrus and Knight.
"22 to 44 bench points, you tell me what's going on" said Van Gundy "They were on a roll and our guys couldn't keep up. Jameer can't carry the entire load himself, neither can Rashard, Dwight, or Vince. The bench guys need to step up"
The Magic now lead the series 3-2, the reigning Eastern Conference Champions will have another shot at closing out this first round series at the Izod Center tomorrow afternoon.
Highlights
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