In a Sunday showdown, Jaylen Brown showcased his scoring prowess by netting 17 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter, propelling the Boston Celtics to a convincing 114-97 triumph over the Orlando Magic. The victory extended the Celtics’ impressive NBA-best home record to a flawless 14-0. This achievement marked the team’s second-best start at home, trailing only the 1957-58 squad led by Bill Russell, which boasted 17 consecutive home wins after securing their inaugural NBA title.
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Contributing to the Celtics’ success, Jayson Tatum notched 23 points, while Kristaps Porzingis recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Jrue Holiday added 14 points to the scoreboard. The game marked the completion of a successful sweep of consecutive matchups at TD Garden against the Magic, resulting in Boston’s fifth consecutive win overall.
Facing Orlando, Paolo Banchero led the charge for the Magic with an impressive 36 points and 10 rebounds, while Jalen Suggs contributed 13 points. Despite their individual efforts, the Magic struggled, shooting just 38.2%.
Notably, Boston welcomed back Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford to the lineup after their absence in the previous 17-point victory. Porzingis, recovering from a calf injury, and the 37-year-old Horford, rested after a game the night before, bolstered the Celtics’ roster.
Heading into the final quarter with a nine-point lead, the Celtics were in control, and Jaylen Brown continued his stellar performance, scoring 10 of the team’s initial 12 points. Brown showcased his versatility with 3-pointers and jumpers from various spots on the court, sealing the victory with a transition 3-pointer and a fadeaway shot from the right wing.
Despite challenges, including Jayson Tatum picking up his third foul in the second quarter, the Celtics maintained their offensive momentum. During a critical stretch in the first half, Brown led a 20-5 surge, pushing the Celtics to a comfortable 61-50 halftime lead. Even the Magic’s attempt at zone defense couldn’t impede Boston’s scoring spree.
