Celtics Extend Win Streak to Five With 108-97 Victory Over Orlando

The Boston Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic 108 to 97 on Sunday at the Kia Center, marking their fifth consecutive win. The team extended its winning streak to five games with a performance defined by defensive pressure and steady scoring from Jayson Tatum.

Tatum finished with 32 points for Boston. He played through a cut on his head sustained in the first quarter after colliding with Orlando's Jamal Cain. The injury required a brief trip to the locker room, but Tatum returned early in the second quarter to continue his scoring output.

Coach Joe Mazzulla managed Tatum's minutes carefully in the fourth quarter. With Boston holding a lead, the Celtics bench unit extended the advantage. Mazzulla paused on reinserting Tatum and Neemias Queta for nearly two minutes. The rest proved effective as the non-Tatum unit maintained control before Tatum returned to hit two jumpers to close the game.

Defense served as the primary engine for the Celtics. Boston forced 16 turnovers from the Magic, including eight in the first quarter alone. The Celtics limited Orlando to just 15 total shots in that opening period. Queta provided two key blocked shots in the final minutes to secure the victory.

Orlando challenged Boston in the second half after falling behind by 15 points early in the third quarter. The Magic rallied behind three-point shooting from Tristan da Silva, who hit five threes in the game. The team tied the score at 72 during a 2:28 span of successful perimeter shooting.

The Celtics offense stalled during parts of the third quarter, recording only one field goal in the final seven minutes and three seconds of that period. Tatum relied on free throws to score the final five points of the quarter. The team had missed 10 of its first 11 three-point attempts in the first half.

Paul George contributed 17 points, six rebounds, and eight assists for Boston. Derrick White and Luka Garza each scored 12 points. Garza added nine points and four rebounds off the bench, using physical play to create space in the paint.

The Celtics played without center Mitchell Robinson, who rested to prepare for an upcoming matchup with Houston's Alperen Sengun. Robinson has not played more than 70 games since the 2021-22 season. Mazzulla started Neemias Queta and moved rookie Chris Cenac into the third center role behind Garza.

Cenac, 19, impressed the coaching staff with his work ethic and understanding of the offense. He played in the final minutes of Friday's win over the Chicago Bulls. Mazzulla said he trusts the young player's development.

Anthony Black and da Silva led Orlando with 23 points each. Franz Wagner finished with 14 points on five-of-20 shooting. The Magic missed star players Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs for the contest.

The Celtics have not lost a game since October 20. The team will look to extend its streak in its next matchup.