NBA: Celtics break out of shooting slump in win over Magic
Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, right, dunks against Orlando Magic’s Cole Anthony (50) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
BOSTON — Jayson Tatum scored 30 points and the Boston Celtics ran past the Orlando Magic 121-94 on Friday night in the NBA.
With freshman star Cooper Flagg and his Duke teammates looking on from the stands, Tatum, a former Blue Devils standout, went 12 of 21 from the floor to help Boston break out of a recent shooting slump. No. 3 Duke plays at Boston College on Saturday.
Boston shot a season-best 61% in the first half and took a 12-point lead into halftime. The Celtics shot 53% on the night, including 46% from 3-point range, and led by 27 in the second half. Kristaps Porzingis finished with 23 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Jaylen Brown added 20.
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Jayson Tatum paces the @celtics to the big win at home over Orlando!
☘️ 30 PTS | 6 REB | 4 AST | 57.1 FG% ☘️ pic.twitter.com/0npZxb6mG7
— NBA (@NBA) January 18, 2025
Cole Anthony led Orlando with 23 points, and Paolo Banchero scored 21.
Takeaways
Magic: Banchero was inadvertently hit in the face by Porzingis on a block attempt. Banchero briefly stayed down and was attended to by trainers, but was able to remain in the game.
Celtics: Started fast and dictated the flow on offense throughout, something they struggled to do consistently while losing seven of their previous 14 games.
READ: NBA: Jayson Tatum, Celtics hold off Nuggets
Key moment
Orlando scored the first five points of the third quarter to get within 66-59. Boston responded with an 8-0 run and outscored the Magic 30-22 in the period to take control.
Key stat
The Celtics entered shooting an NBA-worst 28% from the 3-point line in their previous five games. They found their range against the Magic, going 9 of 15 from beyond the arc in the first half and 17 of 37 for the game.
Up next
The Magic host the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. The Celtics host the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.
