Jayson Tatum delivered 35 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds as the Boston Celtics routed the Orlando Magic 120-89 in Game 5 on Tuesday night, closing out their first-round series 4-1.
The victory sends the defending NBA champions to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they await the winner of the New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons matchup.
Boston trailed by nine in the first half and was down 51-47 early in the third quarter when Paolo Banchero picked up his fourth and fifth fouls in less than 90 seconds, forcing him to the bench.
Without their leading scorer on the floor, Orlando collapsed as the Celtics went on a 31-9 run to end the third, turning a close contest into a 21-point lead entering the final period.
Tatum, who had missed Game 2 due to a wrist injury, has now posted at least 35 points in three straight games, finishing Tuesday 10-of-16 from the field and 11-for-11 from the line.
Jaylen Brown added 23 points, while Boston also received efficient bench production from Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard, who combined for 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
The Celtics shifted from their usual perimeter-heavy offense, attempting just six threes in the first half — missing all of them — before catching fire in the third behind Tatum’s long-range shooting.
Boston ended the night shooting 54.2% from three and 56.6% overall, while Orlando was held to just 37.5% from the floor and 21.1% from deep.
Franz Wagner led the Magic with 25 points, followed by Banchero’s 19 before fouling out after 29 minutes; Wendell Carter Jr. had 12 points and 10 boards.
Magic coach Jamahl Mosley erupted on the sideline after Banchero’s fifth foul, pleading for a review, but replays showed contact with Jaylen Brown on a shot attempt.
Boston outscored Orlando 36-13 in the third quarter and poured in 37 more in the fourth to close the game in dominant fashion.
The Celtics are now one step closer to defending their 2024 title and will enjoy rest as they await their next opponent.
New York leads its series against Detroit 3-2, though the Pistons forced a Game 6 with a 106-103 win earlier Tuesday.
