The Boston Celtics did what the Boston Bruins weren’t able to do: close out its series after taking a 3-0 lead.

Paul Pierce had 31 points and 13 rebounds and the seldom-used Nate Robinson gave Boston some juice with 13 second-quarter points to kill the Orlando Magic’s attempt to be the first NBA team to come back from a 3-0 deficit in a playoff series with 96-84 victory in Game 6.

Dwight Howard had 28 points and 12 rebounds for the Magic, who were hoping to send the series back to Orlando for Game 7.

Vince Carter scored 17 points, and Jameer Nelson finished with 11 points and four assists as he was outplayed by Rajon Rondo and Robinson.

The NBA Finals will begin next Thursday in either Los Angeles or Phoenix. The Lakers lead the Western Conference finals 3-2, and a victory over the Suns in Game 6 on Saturday would set up the cross-coast rivals for a rematch of the 2008 finals — and add another chapter to the two most storied franchises’ rivalry.

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