USA – Starbury comes up big as Celtics beat Magic; LA hammer Houston

BOSTON (NBA) - The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers both won on Tuesday night to grab the upper hand in their respective NBA play-off semi-final ties.

Boston trailed by 14 points in the fourth quarter at home to Orlando in their Eastern Conference showdown but fought back for a 92-88 triumph.

Mid-season acquisition Stephon Marbury came off the bench in final period and scored all 12 of his points for Boston, who got 22 points from Glen Davis and 19 from Paul Pierce.

Boston coach Doc Rivers showered praise on Marbury, who was vilified in New York where he played for the Knicks before leaving for Boston.

"He's been great for us. He just hangs in there, keeps working every day. He's been very patient," Rivers said.

"This is tough for him. He's never been taken out to put starters in. That's always been him going in, and he's been able to handle it well and be a great teammate. So, I'm just happy for him."

"I'm playing basketball this year,” former Team USA guard Marbury said.

“For me, that was enough.

"From where I was, just being able to get back on the court after not playing the whole year, I know I'm blessed.

“I'm just happy that I had the opportunity to come out and help the Celtics win another championship."

The Lakers, meanwhile, returned to the friendly confines of the LA and throttled Houston 118-78 in their Western Conference semi-final.

Team USA’s Kobe Bryant needed just three quarters to pour in a game-high 26 points with Spain’s Pau Gasol contributing 16 points and 13 rebounds.

It was the second game Houston played since learning on Saturday that their China national team center Yao Ming had suffered a bone injury in his foot and would play no further part in the post-season.

FIBA