Final Score: Magic 96, Celtics 92, Overtime

The Orlando Magic live to play another game.

After Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, win or lose, the Magic were guaranteed to be going home. The first option was to head home for the season after being eliminated from the playoffs in a sweep. But they had a different option in mind.

Dwight Howard had a monster 32 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 blocks, and the Magic will be heading home to Orlando to play Game 5. They staved off a sweep by the Celtics, needing overtime to take down Rondo and the Big 3.

Howard followed up his awful 7 point, 7 rebound in Game 3's beatdown loss by taking control of Game 4 from the opening tip. "Superman" was the dominant player on the floor from start to finish, shooting 13 of 19 from the floor and coming up big in the most crucial times.

"We know that we were down 3-0, and we didn't want to go home [for the season]," Howard said. "It starts with me and Jameer. Me and Jameer showed our leadership by playing hard. We've got to be the leaders for this team. It's not about points, but just showing everybody, 'Hey, follow us and we'll lead the way.'"

Jameer Nelson did show tremendous leadership in this game. He was the obvious difference-maker in this game, constantly getting Orlando out in transition and attacking the hoop in the half court. He made good decisions all game, hit some clutch shots in overtime, and was a force in the pick-and-roll game all night.

Nelson had 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists, including hitting two extremely difficult, challenged three-point shots on consecutive possessions in overtime that put the Magic up 6. Nelson's Game 3 was just as bad as Howard's; as he had just 1 assist and 12 points in the disappointing effort.

But on Monday night, it was an entirely different story. Orlando was the aggressor in this game, playing an up-tempo game that put Boston on its heels in the first half. Meanwhile, Dwight Howard was aggressive on both ends of the floor. He ran the floor in transition to open lanes for Nelson to drive and finish or kick to open shooters. He posted up Perkins and Davis one-on-one and was able to score much more effectively. He killed Boston on the boards, often times grabbing rebounds as the only blue shirt in a sea of white and green. And, most importantly, he frustrated Boston's interior players all night.

On several occasions, Celtics players were furious about the physicality of Howard's play inside. But none of his plays were dirty, as he just used his size and length to go hard after loose balls that he had been avoiding earlier in the series. He was inviting contact in this one, and finishing strong.

The only thing that Howard didn't do well in Game 4 was shoot free throws. But that's all gravy at this point, and an expected negative facet of his game. Every player has weaknesses; Howard's just happens to be in one of the most simple parts of the game. Millions of little kids watch Superman clank shots at the line every night that they could make.

But the Celtics' only defense for Howard was at the free throw line.

Paul Pierce had a big night for Boston, scoring 32 points with 11 rebounds. But he took 25 shots to get to his total. Rajon Rondo, the MVP of the playoffs thus far, had his worst game of the postseason. He was plagued by foul trouble in the first half, and was never able to get into a rhythm. He finished with 9 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals. It was a stat line and overall effort that resembled his play from his rookie season, not this year's All-Pro level.

Ray Allen scored 22 points on 5 three-pointers, including several clutch shots at the end of regulation and in overtime. Kevin Garnett had 14 points and 12 rebounds, but was clearly bothered by Howard's physical play inside.

Boston's bench scored just 12 points total in this game. That's the same number that J.J. Redick had alone in his effort off the bench.

Rashard Lewis had 13 points in his best effort of this series, and Matt Barnes brought great energy and toughness while scoring 10 points with 7 rebounds.

Vince Carter had an awful game, going 1 for 9 with 3 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in 31 points.

But Howard and Nelson were that good tonight, establishing the tempo of the game and proving to be the aggressors from the opening tip.

No team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in an NBA postseason series. But there's a first time for everything, and you never know what could happen now. Orlando was able to take this one on the road in Boston and take the series back to Orlando. If they can win Game 5, all of a sudden there is an immense amount of pressure on the Celtics to win Game 6 at home.

"At some point, somebody is going to come from 3-0 down and win a series. The only thing I knew for sure was it would start by winning Game 4," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "I figured that one out. You have to win Game 4. This was a must-win."

Well, Game 5 will also be a must-win for Orlando. They're still down 3-1. But if they come out with the same effort in that game that they had in this one, then they should be favored to win. They also need to contain Rajon Rondo in a similar way.

Game 5 will be played in Orlando on Wednesday. We'll see if Boston can put this series to an end, or if the Magic get another win and put the pressure on the Celtics in Game 6.