BOSTON — In a spectacular display of shooting and teamwork, Jayson Tatum played a pivotal role in leading the Boston Celtics to a convincing 121-94 win against the Orlando Magic.

The star forward dropped 30 points on Friday night, shooting an impressive 12 of 21 from the floor, showcasing his ability to bounce back from the Celtics' recent shooting struggles.

With the game being played in front of a star-studded crowd, including the highly touted freshman and Duke sensation Cooper Flagg and his teammates, Tatum delivered a performance reminiscent of his college days at Duke.

The Celtics, who had been fighting to shake off a shooting slump that saw them struggle to find their rhythm in previous games, capitalized on their home court advantage and set a season-best shooting percentage of 61% in the first half. This dominating performance helped them secure a 12-point lead going into halftime.

As the game unfolded, Boston continued to display their offensive prowess, finishing the night shooting 53%, including a staggering 46% from beyond the arc. Tatum’s exceptional performance was complemented by Kristaps Porzingis, who contributed 23 points on 7-of-10 shooting, and Jaylen Brown, who added 20. The Celtics' backcourt was firing on all cylinders, proving they can be a real force in the Eastern Conference.

On the other side, the Magic were led by Cole Anthony with 23 points and Paolo Banchero, who managed to score 21 despite a scare when he took an inadvertent shot to the face from Porzingis. Thankfully, Banchero was quickly tended to and was able to continue playing.

Defining Moment of the Game

After the Magic scored the first five points of the third quarter to cut Boston's lead to 66-59, the Celtics quickly eliminated any momentum. They responded with an impressive 8-0 run, finishing the quarter strong and outscoring Orlando 30-22 to firmly take control of the match.

Striking Statistics

This victory was particularly important for the Celtics, who entered the game with the worst 3-point shooting percentage in the NBA, at just 28%, over their last five games. However, they turned the tide against the Magic, hitting 9 of 15 from beyond the arc in the first half and ultimately finishing 17 of 37 for the game.

Looking Ahead

The Celtics will be looking to carry this momentum into their next matchup against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, while the Magic will return home to face the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. With the Boston team finding its groove, fans are eager to see if they can sustain this newfound shooting success and climb up the standings in a highly competitive Eastern Conference.

Stay tuned for more exhilarating NBA action as the season heats up!