The Boston Celtics began their playoff journey with a strong 103-86 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday, taking a 1-0 lead within the collection. Derrick White was the star of the sport, scoring 30 factors and hitting seven three-pointers.
Regardless of robust performances from Orlando’s Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner—who scored a mixed 59 factors—the Magic couldn’t sustain within the second half. Boston stepped up their sport after the break to safe a cushty victory at dwelling.
Boston got here into the sport with a 61-21 common season report, however Orlando had crushed them twice in three conferences earlier within the 12 months. The sport started with Franz Wagner scoring the primary basket, and each groups traded factors in a decent opening.
The Magic’s bodily defence, which had troubled the Celtics within the common season, was efficient once more. Nonetheless, Derrick White helped Boston discover their rhythm with 5 fast factors and a 7-0 run. The Celtics led 26-18 on the finish of the primary quarter, with White on 8 factors and each Banchero and Wagner scoring 7 every.
Within the second quarter, Payton Pritchard gave the Celtics an early enhance with six fast factors. Wagner responded for the Magic, attacking the basket and hitting key photographs. Orlando then went on a 9-0 run and ultimately took the lead after a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope three-pointer. Banchero was on hearth, scoring from everywhere in the court docket. At half-time, the Magic led 49-48.
Banchero had 19 factors by the break, whereas Wagner added 15. Collectively, they scored 34 of Orlando’s 49 factors. Their defence made life troublesome for Boston, they usually dominated the rebounds with 10 offensive boards. White led the Celtics with 16 factors on the half, and Pritchard added 11, whereas key gamers like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis had been but to make an actual impression.
Boston got here out robust within the third quarter, occurring a 6-0 run to retake the lead. White made a four-point play, and Jrue Vacation added a steal and a three-pointer to push the result in double digits. After a quiet first half, Vacation scored 9 factors within the third, together with an alley-oop help to Brown.
The Celtics’ defence improved, they usually started to attain in transition. The group at TD Backyard acquired louder as Boston prolonged their result in 17 factors. Though Orlando closed the quarter nicely, the Celtics nonetheless led 78-67 going into the ultimate interval.
White stayed sharp within the fourth, hitting one other three. Pritchard adopted with one among his personal to revive the 17-point lead. Banchero saved combating and scored constantly, however Boston remained in management.
There was a worrying second when Tatum was fouled on a dunk try and landed awkwardly on his wrist. Nonetheless, he stayed within the sport and later hit a deep three-pointer, adopted by one other from White. Boston led by 19, which sealed the sport. The starters had been rested within the last minute because the Celtics comfortably closed out the match.
The Boston Celtics now lead the collection 1-0 after a robust second-half exhibiting. Derrick White completed with 30 factors, together with 7-of-12 from past the arc. Pritchard contributed 19 factors off the bench. Tatum recovered from a poor begin to finish with 17 factors and 14 rebounds, although his wrist could also be one thing to observe going ahead.
For the Magic, Banchero had an impressive sport with 36 factors and 11 rebounds, whereas Wagner added 23. Nonetheless, the remainder of the crew struggled offensively, because the duo scored most of Orlando’s factors. Regardless of the loss, the Magic’s defence and star duo might nonetheless make this a troublesome collection for the Celtics.
