Celtics beat Magic to complete sweep
The Boston Celtics completed the two-game sweep over the Orlando Magic on Sunday afternoon, 114-97, at the TD Garden.

The Magic (16-9) set the tone in the first quarter, leading the entire frame before the Celtics (20-5) regained control in the second quarter and outscored the visitors 34-19 to take a 10-point lead into halftime. The intensity picked up in the third quarter with both teams putting the clamps on defense and Orlando cut the deficit to single digits heading into the final frame. But Boston was able to close out Sunday’s game thanks to Jaylen Brown, who scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to seal the game. With Sunday’s victory, the Celtics swept their five-game homestand and remain unbeaten at TD Garden, while Orlando has dropped two straight.

Paolo Banchero bounced back from a cold shooting performance Friday to lead the Magic with 36 points (24 in the first half), 10 rebounds and two steals. Jalen Suggs was the only other Orlando player to score in double digits as he finished with 13 points and five rebounds. Franz Wagner struggled from the floor (3-for-14 shooting), but was able to accumulate eight rebounds and six assists along with eight points. Jonathan Isaac had eight points off the bench while Cole Anthony and Moritz Wagner each chipped in six points.

Just like Friday, all five Celtics starters finished in double-digits, with Brown leading the way with 31 points, six assists and five rebounds while co-star Jayson Tatum had 23 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Kristaps Porzingis returned to action after missing Friday's game and finished with a double-double (15 points and 10 rebounds). Jrue Holiday pitched in 14 points, six rebounds and two blocks while Derrick White had 10 points, five rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Al Horford led the bench with eight points and eight rebounds over 24 minutes.

With Sunday’s game in the books, the Celtics start their four-game west coast tour as they take on the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday in a rematch of the 2022 NBA Finals, while the Magic host the Miami Heat in a Southeast Division showdown Wednesday.
Posted on: 12/17/2023 2:48 PM
Orlando Magic
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Boston Celtics
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