Tatum and Brown Pace Celtics Past Magic 107-98 to Take 3-1 Series Lead

ORLANDO, Fla. (WE) — The Boston Celtics are one win away from advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals after a hard-fought 107-98 victory over the Orlando Magic Sunday night at the Kia Center. Led by a stellar performance from Jayson Tatum, who finished with 37 points and 14 rebounds, Boston overcame a late surge from Orlando to seize a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven first-round series.

Tatum wasn’t alone. Jaylen Brown poured in 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Kristaps Porzingis contributed 19 crucial points, including a pivotal dunk off his own missed layup that gave the Celtics the lead for good with 3:58 remaining.

Boston also got major contributions from Derrick White, who tallied 18 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists in another steady playoff outing.

Paolo Banchero, the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year, did everything he could to keep the Magic competitive, scoring a game-high 31 points. Franz Wagner chipped in 24 points and seven assists, while veteran guard Cory Joseph added 12 points off the bench — the most by any Orlando guard in the series thus far.

Key Moment: Porzingis’ Redemption Dunk

Porzingis was limited to just 22 minutes due to foul trouble, but the towering Latvian made his presence felt in the clutch. With the game knotted at 91, Porzingis drove to the rim, missed a layup, but stayed with the play to hammer home a thunderous putback dunk. That bucket gave Boston a 93-91 lead and ignited a decisive 16-7 run to close out the game.

“We stayed poised,” Tatum said after the game. “We’ve been in these situations before. We trust each other.”

Boston’s superior execution down the stretch was the difference — especially after the Magic clawed back from a nine-point deficit earlier in the fourth quarter.

Magic’s Struggles From Deep Continue

Orlando’s offense, dynamic at times in this series, sputtered when it needed to stretch the floor. The Magic shot just 8-for-29 (27.6%) from beyond the arc, an all-too-familiar struggle that has plagued them throughout the playoffs. Boston wasn’t much better at 9-for-31 (29%), but the Celtics made up for it with second-chance points and trips to the free-throw line.

Orlando head coach Jamahl Mosley lamented the missed opportunities. “We had good looks,” he said. “We just have to knock them down. But the effort, the fight — it’s there.”

Game Flow: Celtics Answer Every Magic Push

Boston built early momentum thanks to an 18-3 run midway through the second quarter, sparked by Porzingis’ dunk and capped by a deep three from White. That run gave the Celtics a nine-point advantage, their largest lead of the night at the time.

Orlando responded with tough inside scoring from Banchero and Wagner, but every time the Magic seemed poised to take control, Boston answered. Even when Wendell Carter Jr. tied the game at 91 with a forceful dunk with 4:18 left, the Celtics refused to blink.

After Porzingis’ dunk, Tatum drilled a mid-range jumper, Brown finished a tough layup through contact, and White sank four clutch free throws to seal the deal.

“It’s about mental toughness,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said. “They made a run, but we didn’t get rattled.”

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Jrue Holiday Remains Sidelined

Boston was once again without veteran guard Jrue Holiday, who missed his second consecutive game with a strained right hamstring. Holiday’s defense and steady play have been missed, but the Celtics’ depth — a hallmark of their success all season — continues to shine.

“We’re missing a huge piece,” Brown said of Holiday. “But it’s next man up. That’s the mentality we have.”

Holiday’s status for Game 5 on Tuesday night in Boston remains uncertain.

What’s Next: A Return to Boston

Game 5 will be held at TD Garden, where the Celtics went 37-4 during the regular season. Historically, teams leading 3-1 in a best-of-seven series go on to win over 95% of the time, but Boston isn’t taking anything for granted.

“Close-out games are the hardest,” Tatum said. “We’ve got to come out even hungrier.”

The Magic, meanwhile, face elimination but have drawn confidence from their competitiveness throughout the series. Banchero, Wagner, and rising star Jalen Suggs will need to play their best game yet to extend their season.

Player Grades

• Jayson Tatum (A+): Simply dominant. His ability to hit tough shots and control the glass was the difference.
• Jaylen Brown (A-): Strong two-way game, timely scoring when Boston needed it most.
• Kristaps Porzingis (B+): Foul trouble limited him, but his impact in limited minutes was undeniable.
• Derrick White (A): Steady, clutch, and composed — the ultimate glue guy.
• Paolo Banchero (A): Showed why he’s a franchise cornerstone for Orlando.
• Franz Wagner (B+): Smooth scoring and playmaking, but turnovers in the fourth hurt.
• Cory Joseph (B): Provided an unexpected spark off the bench.

Statistical Leaders

• Points: Jayson Tatum (37)
• Rebounds: Jayson Tatum (14)
• Assists: Derrick White (7)
• 3-point shooting: Celtics (29%), Magic (27.6%)
• Free throws: Celtics 22-for-26 (84.6%), Magic 16-for-21 (76.2%)

Inside the Numbers

• Boston outscored Orlando 50-40 in the paint.
• Second-chance points favored the Celtics 18-10.
• Orlando committed 14 turnovers leading to 20 Boston points.
• Tatum scored or assisted on 49 of Boston’s 107 points.

Final Thoughts

The Celtics now have a golden opportunity to close out the series at home and continue their quest for Banner 18. If Tatum and Brown continue their inspired play, and if Porzingis can stay out of foul trouble, Boston’s road to the Eastern Conference Finals will remain firmly within sight.

As for the Magic, their young core has shown flashes of brilliance but must find consistency — and a hot hand from outside — if they hope to send the series back to Orlando.

Tip-off for Game 5 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET Tuesday night at TD Garden.