The atmosphere was electric at TD Garden on Tuesday night, where Jayson Tatum expressed his frustration by forcefully slamming the ball against the floor. Moments before halftime, the Celtics appeared lost: unable to convert their three-point shots and committing multiple turnovers against an Orlando team that was imposing an aggressive and structured game.
This fifth matchup of the first-round playoffs presented a genuine challenge for the defending Boston champions. Early-season questions resurfaced: how would they respond if their primary weapon, three-point shooting, was neutralized? The seventh-seeded Orlando team in the East seemed to have cracked their code.
However, at halftime, despite a challenging start to the game, the Magic’s lead was only two points.
The game reached its turning point in the third quarter when Paolo Banchero, Orlando’s offensive cornerstone, committed three consecutive fouls, reaching a total of five. His departure from the court signaled Boston’s launch of a devastating 30-9 run, including a relentless 24-4 sequence to close the period. This moment sealed both the game’s and the series’ fate.
Joe Mazzulla’s team ultimately prevailed with a score of 120-89, ending Orlando’s aspirations and securing their spot in the next round, where they’ll face the winner of the Knicks-Pistons series.
According to ESPN Stats, this 31-point margin represents the largest playoff victory for a team trailing at halftime — also setting a new record in Celtics history across all competitions.
During the post-game press conference, Jayson Tatum (35 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds) discussed the series’ mental impact on the team:
“This was exactly the kind of challenge we needed. We had to show character. Despite injuries and players not being at full strength, we managed to adapt and find different ways to win each game.”
Kristaps Porzingis finished the series with a visible gash on his forehead, Jaylen Brown sustained a finger injury, and Jrue Holiday was forced to miss three games due to persistent hamstring discomfort. Despite these setbacks, the team demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability.
Brown, who contributed 23 points, expressed satisfaction with the team’s collective response to Orlando’s physical play:
“We proved we can win in a more rugged style of play. This was exactly the kind of challenge many thought we couldn’t overcome.”
Head coach Joe Mazzulla provided perspective on the series’ intensity:
“They also had to adjust to our level of commitment. This series was fought in the trenches, and we’ve gained valuable lessons from it.”
Orlando’s strategy of limiting the Celtics’ perimeter shots while imposing physical dominance seemed sound… in theory. However, it ultimately faltered against the versatility and depth of a well-oiled roster.
The Tatum-Brown duo alone scored 24 points in the third quarter, significantly outpacing Orlando’s total offensive production during the same period. In the second half, Boston displayed remarkable efficiency, converting 13 of 18 three-point attempts — an offensive renaissance that drew increasing enthusiasm from the crowd.
“Our usual style favors fast-paced play, three-pointers, offensive prowess… Tonight, we had to reinvent ourselves, and it worked,” veteran Al Horford analyzed.
While the Orlando series is now behind them, it will leave both physical and mental impressions. The question remains whether this newfound ability to win in different ways will prove to be the Celtics’ trump card as they advance deeper into the playoffs.
