BOSTON – Moritz Wagner scored 25 points and Paolo Banchero added 20 as the Orlando Magic defeated the NBA-leading Boston Celtics 117-109 on Friday night.
Franz Wagner scored 19 points as Orlando won their fifth straight game – the first four coming at home. The Magic overtook the Celtics 53-38 and held the lead for the final 37 minutes of the game.
“One of the (Magic) coaches came up to me before the game and said, ‘We’re going against the best team in the NBA. Either we can prove that we are a good team and really roll, or it’s our fault that we’re on the road and just roll over. “We didn’t want that,” said Banchero, the 3 of 3 from the 3-point distance and shot 7 of 8 on the line. “Getting a lead and keeping a lead is the biggest thing I’m proud of tonight.”
Jayson Tatum had 31 points and Jaylen Brown 26 as Boston (22-8) lost for the third time in four games. The Celtics attempted 46 3-pointers and made 11.
“We looked good. Even if they don’t go in, you have to move the ball and shoot,” said interim Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla.
Boston’s Robert Williams was playing in his first game since the NBA Finals after undergoing left knee surgery the preseason and finished the game with nine points and five rebounds in 18 minutes.
Aided by two 3-point goals from Al Horford in the opening minutes, the Celtics took a 14-5 lead against a team with the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference. The Magic came back and ended the opening quarter with a 15-4 run that was capped with a 3-pointer by Banchero.
Orlando kept the pressure on Boston, leading 62-54 at halftime and extending the lead to 19 points early in the third quarter. The Celtics reduced their deficit to single digits a few times, but the Magic stayed comfortably ahead.
“They got their way in the third race but our guys understand they need to stay the course and continue to communicate with each other and adhere to the principles of what we do,” Orlando head coach Jamahl Mosley said.
Markelle Fultz hit five in a row, including a jumper that gave the Magic a 108-96 lead with 3:55 minutes remaining. Fultz had 12 points and four assists before fouling.
WILLIAMS RETURN
Williams’ off-season surgery was his second surgery on the same knee in six months. The 25-year-old was upgraded to “questionable” on Thursday, with Mazzulla confirming ahead of Friday’s game that “there is no minute limit” regarding Williams, who came on as a substitute against the Magic.
“I’m glad he’s healthy and back in the team. That’s a plus tonight,” Tatum said.
Williams received a standing ovation at 7:03 in the first quarter. He connected with an alley-oop slam dunk after a pass from Marcus Smart but picked up three fouls in the space of four minutes.
SILAS REMEMBERS
Boston honored former player Paul Silas, who passed away last Saturday. Silas put a lot into his four seasons with the Celtics (1972-76). He was part of two NBA championships (1974, 1976) and appeared in the 1975 All-Star Game.
TIP INS:
Magic: Orlando started Friday with a road win in 12 attempts.
Celtics: Horford returned to the lineup on Friday after missing the previous five games. He did not finish after being assessed a flagrant two-foul at 10:39 of the third quarter. At the time of the ejection, Horford had six points and six rebounds in 16 minutes. … On Friday, a seven-game homestand began for Boston after a six-game trip.
NEXT
The teams meet again on Sunday in Boston.
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