The Boston Celtics steamrolled through the Orlando Magic with a 120-89 win in their 5th match, solidifying their place in the Eastern Conference semi-finals with the help of Jayson Tatum’s heroic efforts during the first round.
Jayson was two assists shy of achieving a triple-double and scored 35, leading the Celtics to a dominant home win to complete the series. He was nursing a wrist injury in the first game, but was able to maintain his scoring rhythm for the last three games. 35 points in a game is quite the streak.
Unlike the previous regular season games where three-point shooting was the focal point of the game, the Celtics relied on other methods on Tuesday. They astonishingly made 0 three three-pointers in the first half, that’s the first time since 2021. In addition to breakdowns, the team showed grit around the basket, mid-range and displayed excellent defense.
“We’ve built our identity around versatility,”
said head coach Joe Mazzulla postgame.
“This series demanded a different brand of basketball, and the guys responded with focus and discipline.”
Orlando had a short bout of strong performance during the start of the third quarter when they were leading 51-47, but then everything changed. Magic forward Paolo Banchero was pegged with a contentious 4th foul and was subsequently given a 5th, much to the ire of head coach Jamahl Mosley. The call took Banchero out of the game for the rest of the quarter, and Boston went on to outscore Orlando 31-9.
“That moment changed everything,”
Mosley stated.
“Losing Paolo at that point made the climb back much steeper. He’s a critical part of our system.”
Regardless of impressive performances by Franz Wagner (25 points) and Wendell Carter Jr. (12 points, 10 rebounds), the Magic faced difficulties containing Boston’s second-half onslaught. Banchero managed 19 points before foul trouble limited his impact.
With Jaylen Brown scoring an additional 23 points for the Celtics, Tatum once again showcased incredible accuracy from the charity stripe, sinking all 11 attempts. He was also efficient, shooting 10-of-16 from the field, 4-of-5 from three, in what some might say was a late-game flurry that capped off Boston’s domination.
Boston now turns their attention to the outcome of the Knicks-Pistons series, which will determine their next opponent. The Knicks are currently in the lead 3-2 after losing to Detroit in Game 5 earlier in the day.
The Celtics continue to show poise and flexibility as the postseason deepens, an essential component for a lengthy playoff run. Tatum appears to be rounding back into form, and Boston remains a sound team with plenty of support, keeping the team’s championship aspirations alive.
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