
Jayson Tatum scored a game-high 35 points to help the Boston Celtics clinch their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with a 120-89 Game 5 victory over the visiting Orlando Magic yesterday (Philippine time).
Tatum was 10-of-16 from the field and made all 11 of his free-throw attempts while adding eight rebounds and 10 assists as the Celtics wrapped up their first-round series in five games for the second year in a row.
Jaylen Brown added 23 points for the Celtics, who outscored the Magic, 73-40, in the second half.
The Magic lost their sixth consecutive first-round series — dating back to 2010-2011 — despite 25 points from Franz Wagner. Paolo Banchero collected 19 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Wendell Carter, Jr. added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Second-seeded Boston took control after Banchero went to the bench after being called for his fifth foul with 9:46 remaining in the third quarter.
It was 53-53 at the time, but the Celtics outscored the seventh-seeded Magic, 36-13, in the third and owned an 83-62 advantage entering the fourth.
Boston had a 24-4 run in the third quarter.
Orlando had a 15-3 edge in offensive rebounds, but shot 8-of-38 from three-point territory.
The Magic shot 37.5 percent from the field in the game (33-of-88).
The Celtics didn’t make a three-pointer until Tatum connected with 10:22 left in the third quarter, but they made 13-of-24 three-point attempts overall.
Boston was 43-of-76 from the field (56.6 percent) in the game.
Boston was again without guard Jrue Holiday, who missed his third straight game with a strained right hamstring.
Orlando was up 27-23 after one quarter and, despite shooting 36.2 percent from the field (17-of-47) through the first two quarters, held a 49-47 halftime lead.
Boston missed all six of its three-point attempts in the first half. (Field Level Media / Reuters)