ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Jaylen Brown scored 27 points, and Derrick White and Jordan Walsh hit crucial 3-pointers in the final minute to lead the Boston Celtics to a 111-107 victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday night.
White, who finished with 21 points, knocked down a 3-pointer with 45 seconds remaining, giving the Celtics a four-point lead. Walsh extended Boston’s advantage by making another 3 with just 13 seconds left, pushing the score to 110-105.
For the Magic, Paolo Banchero, hampered by foul trouble in the second half, scored 14 of his team-high 28 points in the fourth quarter. Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs each contributed 20 points.
Boston’s Anfernee Simons had an impressive first half, scoring 25 points. Simons hit three 3-pointers and scored the Celtics’ first 14 points in the second quarter, helping Boston build an 11-point lead. Although the Magic managed to even the score by halftime, they held an 85-83 lead when Suggs scored on an inside runner early in the fourth quarter.
Luka Garza provided a strong boost off the bench with 16 points and eight rebounds in just 17 minutes. Together with Hugo Gonzalez, they combined for nine points during a 13-0 Celtics run, pushing Boston’s lead to 11 points with 5:58 remaining.
Banchero hit a turnaround jumper to bring Orlando within one point with 59 seconds left, but the Magic were unable to complete their comeback.
Orlando struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 7 for 30 (23.3%) on 3-pointers. The Celtics converted 13 of 33 attempts (39.4%) overall and made 5 of 8 in the final quarter, including two critical shots by Walsh.
Up next:
– Celtics will visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.
– Magic will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/brown-walsh-white-simons-power-021018156.html
