Deadspin: Jayson Tatum leads Celtics past Magic for a fifth straight win
Boston recovers from early deficit
Orlando opened with a nine-point lead, but Boston fought back and moved ahead for the first time when Luka Garza completed a three-point play with 33 seconds left in the first quarter. The Celtics took a 24-23 lead into the next period despite making just one of 11 three-point attempts in the opening 12 minutes.
Tatum went to the locker room late in the quarter after colliding heads with Jamal Cain and sustaining a cut. He returned to play in the second quarter.
Celtics build halftime advantage
Boston’s biggest lead of the first half was 50-40 after Garza made a free throw with 2:42 remaining in the second quarter. The Celtics went into halftime ahead 55-50.
Tatum finished with 32 points, shooting 8-for-19 from the field and making 15 of 17 free throws. Orlando made 15 free throws as a team.
Orlando rallies, Boston holds on
The Celtics opened the second half with nine straight points to go up 64-50. Orlando did not score in the third quarter until Anthony Black made two free throws with 8:07 left.
The Magic cut the deficit to 97-93 on a Desmond Bane layup with 3:59 remaining, but got no closer. Tristan da Silva and Black each scored 23 points for Orlando; da Silva added 10 rebounds, Black had eight, and Bane scored 19.
Key points
- Boston beat Orlando 108-97 to extend its winning streak to five games.
- Jayson Tatum led all scorers with 32 points and returned after a first-quarter head collision.
- The Magic tied the game at 72 in the third quarter and later came within four points.
- Tristan da Silva and Anthony Black scored 23 points apiece for Orlando.