BOSTON — In an impressive display of adaptability, the Boston Celtics clinched their spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals after an emphatic win over the Orlando Magic. With Magic star Paolo Banchero sidelined due to foul trouble, the Celtics seized the opportunity and secured a 120-89 victory in Game 5 of their first-round playoff matchup.
Jayson Tatum led the charge with an outstanding performance, racking up 35 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds. Remarkably, the Celtics diverged from their typical reliance on three-point shooting, opting instead for a different strategy that proved highly effective against Orlando.
The reigning NBA champions will soon face either the New York Knicks or the Detroit Pistons in the next round. As of now, the Knicks have a 3-2 series lead, despite a narrow 106-103 loss to the Pistons earlier in the evening.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla highlighted the necessity of versatility in playoff scenarios, especially given his team’s unusual scoreless effort from beyond the arc in the first half—a situation they had not encountered in nearly four years.
“It’s crucial to discover new approaches,” Mazzulla stated. “Every playoff series demands unique solutions. Adaptability on both offense and defense is key to winning.”
For the Magic, Franz Wagner contributed 25 points, Banchero added 19, and Wendell Carter Jr. offered up 12 points along with 10 rebounds. Sadly, Orlando continued its decade-long struggle for postseason success since their 2010 Eastern Conference finals appearance.
Trailing by nine early on, Boston absorbed an offensive push from Orlando, which maintained a 51-47 lead in the third quarter. However, Banchero’s fourth and then fifth fouls within a short span forced him to the bench—a pivotal shift that tilted the game in Boston’s favor. The Celtics capitalized by outscoring the Magic 31-9 during this period, establishing a commanding 83-62 lead.
“It was a turning point,” expressed Magic coach Jamahl Mosley. “Paolo’s fifth foul was monumental, and recovering from that setback was a challenge.”
Jaylen Brown aided Boston’s effort with 23 points, complementing Tatum’s outstanding contributions. Tatum, who recently overcame a wrist injury that sidelined him in Game 2, delivered his third consecutive 35-point game. Notably, he was immaculate from the free-throw line, converting all 11 attempts, and maintained efficiency with 10 of 16 from the field, including four successful three-pointers.
Despite their regular-season penchant for threes—typically making one every 2 minutes, 42 seconds on average—the Celtics managed just six attempts in the first half and didn’t connect until nearly halfway into the third quarter. Tatum eventually broke the drought as Boston discovered a different path to victory.