1 day Ago By Celtics Wire
After an odd first half that did not represent their style of play all season, the Boston Celtics came out on fire in the second half, closing out their first round series against the Orlando Magic. After Orlando took Game 3 in the first game on their home court, Boston stormed back over the last two games to get a decisive opening round series victory, having to withstand through the Magic's physical play through all five games. For the first time all year, the Celtics did not make a three-point attempt in the first half of the game, and Orlando, who has struggled all year with their shooting, struggled as well.
The Celtics were battling uphill the entire first half, going into the break down two, but then foul trouble would hurt Orlando's star player in the third quarter and Boston took advantage. After Paolo Banchero had to leave the game for the Magic in the third quarter with his fifth personal foul, the Celtics started pouring it in from deep, and all but put the game away at the end of the third frame. Here's a quick recap of the Celtics (final score) Game 5 victory which wins them the first series of this year's playoffs, and they will await the winner of the Knicks vs.
Pistons series which sees New York up 3-2 with Game 6 on Thursday. Keys to the game: Jayson Tatum's superstardom: With his third straight playoff game of 35 or more points, Jayson Tatum put Boston on his back and shouldered the offensive production in the deciding game. Tatum finished the night with 35 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds, and his effort would allow coach Joe Mazzulla to empty the bench with just under four minutes to go in game action.
After missing his first ever playoff game in this series, Tatum made an emphatic statement with his three consecutive 35+ point games. 3-point shooting: For a team that did not make a 3-point field goal in the entire first half, Boston came out and hit 13 of them in the second half, five more than the Magic had all game. Their long range efficiency in the second half built the gap that would be the deciding factor in Game 5.
Boston has had a reputation of being a team that is going to consistently attack from long range, and it benefited them in this series-clinching win. Highlight of the game: Jayson Tatum's dagger 4-point play late in the fourth quarterFOUR POINT PLAY pic.twitter.
com/tmqZkDixfr— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 30, 2025What's next: TBD - Boston will face winner of New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons series (New York leads 3-2)With Game 6 coming for the Knicks and Pistons on Thursday, the Celtics could learn the fate of their next opponent with a victory for New York. Detroit has won two games on the road at Madison Square Garden, including Tuesday night's Game 5 elimination game, and they head back to Detroit to try and even the series.
Boston will have time to rest and get everyone healthy while they await the winner of this scrappy series. This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Jayson Tatum shines as Celtics close out 4-1 series win over Magic.
