clarinews@clarinet.com (01/18/90)
ORLANDO, Fla. (UPI) -- One of the NBA's oldest teams in terms of player personnel showed the new kids on the block just what Celtic basketball is all about in a 133-111 whipping of Orlando. The Celtics, rejuvenated by three days off that came complete with crisp practices and some much-needed rest, hit the Magic full force in the first period Wednesday. Orlando simply never recovered, save for a 6-0 run that trimmed Boston's bulging lead to 49-40 7:25 before halftime. ``The thing we did was come here (on Sunday) and work very hard,'' said Boston Coach Jimmy Rodgers. ``But we also were able to get our rest time, something we needed after playing four games in five nights last week. ``I think from start to finish we were moving and playing very well together. We were very aware of what was going on out on the floor. We just played sharp basketball.'' No doubt, the watchword in the whipping was teamwork. If Boston's front line wasn't doing the damage, subs such as Kevin McHale, Jim Paxson, Michael Smith and even Joe Kleine did enough offensively to ensure that the visitors would surpass their previous season-high output (127 in opener against Milwakee, Nov. 3rd). From the outset, it was evident that the sellout of 15,077 at Orlando Arena was not going to witness another upset like the one they saw last Monday against San Antonio. The front-line assault of Robert Parish, Ed Pinckney and McHale repeatedly got easy baskets and offensive rebounds that translated into a high-octane start. The Magic's poor shot selection, together with the Celtics' inside game, contributed to a 12-0 run that added up to a 14-2 Magic deficit. Twice in the early moments of the third, Reggie Theus and company trimmed a deficit that had swelled to as much as 21 points to 12 points. But no one ever really sensed a comeback, not with the Magic unable to generate the enthusiasm that carried them to a 7-7 record at one point this season. ``They got the shots and knocked them down, inside and outside,'' said Orlando's Mark Acres, commenting on the Celtics' field-goal shooting (54-of-93, 58.1 percent) and free-throw shooting (25-of-26). ``There was no stopping anybody.'' The final totals in the Celtics' seventh road victory in their last eight games reflected balance. Parish poured in 25 points and McHale 21 points. Paxson wound up with 14 points as did Reggie Lewis and Larry Bird, who dished out 10 assists and 10 rebounds. Parish also pulled down a game-high 16 rebounds as Boston won the battle of the boards, 51-31 -- the worst Orlando's been out rebounded all season. Terry Catledge, coming off a career-high 49-point performance against Golden State last Saturday, topped Magic scorers with 24 points.