Tatum scores 32 as Celtics pull away from Magic 108-97

Jayson Tatum scored 32 points, making 15 of 17 free throws, and the Boston Celtics pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the Orlando Magic 108-97 on Sunday, November 1.

Tatum shot 8 of 19 and had 7 assists, two of them late. With 2:17 left, his pass set up Neemias Queta for a layup and a 103-95 lead. Paul George hit a 24-foot 3-pointer off another Tatum feed with 1:32 to go, making it 106-95.

The Celtics, favored before tip-off, trailed 13-4 early in the first quarter and played without center Mitchell Robinson, who was out for rest. Orlando guard Jevon Carter did not play.

Their largest lead, 69-54, came midway through the third quarter. Orlando answered with 12 straight points and cut the deficit to 69-66 late in the period, but the Celtics kept the lead.

The Celtics outscored the Magic 31-23 in the fourth. Orlando was within 101-95 after two Anthony Black free throws, before the Queta layup and the George 3-pointer put it away. Derrick White closed the scoring with two free throws with 47.6 seconds left.

George finished with 17 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds. White added 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting.

Black led Orlando with 23 points on 6-of-12 shooting, made 10 of 11 free throws and grabbed 8 rebounds. Tristan Da Silva also scored 23 off the bench, with 10 rebounds and five of eight 3-point attempts. Franz Wagner had 14 points and 12 assists, but made only 5 of 20 shots.

At the line, where they went 22 of 26, the Celtics made up for 12-of-44 shooting from 3-point range. Orlando committed 16 turnovers, and Boston finished with 9 steals. The Celtics are 5-1, the Magic 2-4.

Up next

Celtics: at the Houston Rockets on Monday, November 2.

Magic: home against the Washington Wizards on Monday, November 2.