With the basketball world having already left them for dead, the Orlando Magic gutted out a 96-92 overtime win in Game 4 on the road in Boston. That effort returns the Eastern Conference Finals to Amway Arena on Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m.

The Celtics lead the best-of-seven series 3-1. It’s down to one game at a time for the Magic.

In a tightly contested game on Monday night it was Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson that led the way. Howard finished with 32 points, 16 rebounds and four blocked shots while Nelson scored 23 points, dished nine assists and grabbed five rebounds.

Five Magic players scored in double figures, including Rashard Lewis (13 points), J.J. Redick (12) and Matt Barnes (10).

Orlando improved dramatically on its poor performance in Game 3 to shoot 45-percent from the floor and 36-percent from long-range. But they turned over the ball 19 times and were outrebounded 47-43.

Orlando was soundly defeated 94-71 in Game 3, the first game of the series in Boston, on Sunday.

Nelson and Vince Carter led the team with 15 points each but combined to shoot just 10-for-26 from the field. Mickael Pietrus chipped in 12 points while Howard finished with seven points (3-for-10), seven rebounds and three blocked shots. Lewis was kept quiet again after turning in two silent games at home, going for four points (2-for-8), four rebounds, four turnovers and two blocks in the loss.

Orlando shot 37-percent from the floor, 27-percent from long-range, turned the ball over 17 times to Boston’s eight, and were outrebounded 43-36. Six Celtics scored in double figures.

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –