Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero powered the Orlando Magic to a 95-93 win over the Boston Celtics on Friday night, cutting the defending champions’ series lead to 2-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round matchup.
Wagner finished with 32 points while Banchero added 29, including key buckets in the fourth quarter that helped Orlando secure its first victory of the series.
Jayson Tatum returned to Boston’s lineup after missing Game 2 with a bruised wrist and led all scorers with 36 points and nine rebounds, but his efforts weren’t enough to prevent a rare road loss for the Celtics.
Boston, which entered the night with a 33-8 road record in the regular season, is now 0-3 in Orlando this season.
Tatum erupted for 21 points in the first half, helping the Celtics build a double-digit lead, and his three-pointer early in the third quarter extended Boston’s advantage to 11.
The momentum quickly shifted as Orlando responded with a 14-0 run led by Wagner and Banchero, holding the visitors scoreless for long stretches and seizing an 86-74 lead by the end of the third.
Boston clawed back late in the fourth and tied the game at 91 with 2:31 remaining after a Derrick White layup, but Wagner answered with consecutive baskets to give the Magic a four-point cushion.
White cut the lead to two, and Boston had one final chance after Wagner missed a three-pointer, but White’s last-second lob toward the rim was deflected as time expired.
The Celtics struggled with turnovers, committing 21 of the game’s 35 giveaways, and went 17 minutes in the second half without a made three-pointer.
They finished 9-of-27 from deep and missed 17 of their final 19 attempts during a stretch that spanned the third and fourth quarters.
Cole Anthony was assessed a flagrant foul after Jaylen Brown dislocated his left index finger on a hard fall, a moment that further underscored the physical tone of the night.
Boston played without guard Jrue Holiday, who is nursing a right hamstring strain.
Wagner also added eight assists and seven rebounds, while Banchero contributed six boards as the Magic out-rebounded Boston 42-39.
The Magic will look to even the series on Sunday when they host Game 4 at the Kia Center.
