NBA: Orlando 117, Boston 96

ORLANDO, Fla., May 8 (UPI) -- Rashard Lewis scored 28 points Friday and the Orlando Magic pulled away down the stretch to defeat Boston 117-96 and take the lead in their playoff series.

The Magic shot 59 percent and grabbed a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series. A win at home by Orlando Sunday would push the defending NBA champions to the brink of elimination.

Hedo Turkoglu added 24 points for Orlando and Dwight Howard, despite battling foul trouble, had 17 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks. Turkoglu and Howard combined to make 15-of-20 shots from the field.

Orlando rookie guard Courtney Lee, who missed the first two games of the series with a fractured sinus, scored 11 points in his return.

Boston was led by Paul Pierce with 27 points, but he was only 6-of-15 from the field while making all 14 of his attempts from the foul line. Ray Allen was 3-of-13 and totaled just eight points.

The Celtics trailed by nine going into the fourth quarter and climbed to within eight with 10:30 to play. But Orlando took control with a 12-4 run that gave the Magic a 95-79 cushion with 7:30 remaining.