Celtics 108, Magic 97

 

Just like last week's win over the Nets, last night's win over the 2-4 Orlando Magic seemed a lot harder - and a lot less certain - than it should have been. "Just roll over and die, already,!" I was shouting at both opposing teams. But do they listen? Do they take my advise? No, both teams kept coming back, againa nd again and again.

But just like last week, on Sunday night the Celtics found a way to win, led by Tatum's 32 points, despite a bloody head-banging injury that caused him to miss the first half of the second quarter. Paul George, who's turning out to be the ideal match for Tatum's style of play, had 17 points and eight assists. In an unusual move, Joe Mazzulla rested center Mitchell Robinson for the night, moved Neemias Queta (8 points and 8 rebounds) to fill in at center, and let Hugo Gonzalez start at guard. Of course, being in the starting lineup doesn't guarantee playing time, and Hugo was only given 13:55 on court, the least of any starters or bench players except for Jordan Walsh. However, he was still able to make three baskets, including one three, two steals, and one offensive rebound in his limited playing time.

The Celtics led by five at the half, but Orlando tied it up with 15 seconds left in the third. Tatum hit a trio of free throws to close the quarter with the Celtics up by three, but the Magic tied it up again at 79-all 3:49 in to the final quarter. The Celtics didn't trail in the final quarter, and a Paul George three-pointer gave the Celtics an 11-point lead with 1:32 left to go. 

The Celtics improve to 5-1 on the season, but are still in second place in theri division to Jaylon Brown and the Philadelphia 76ers (6-1). 

No rest: the Celtics left the humid wastelands of Central Florida after the game and flew to equally vile Texas to play Kevin Durant, Marcus Smart and the Houston Rockets (6-1) tonight. Tip off is at 8:30 Eastern time.