Kemba Walker scored 27 of his game-high 37 points in the first half, carrying the shorthanded Celtics back from a 16-point deficit to their third straight win over the Magic in Orlando. Gordon Hayward added 22 points and a season-high 14 rebounds for the visitors who played without Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Enes Kanter due to injury. After a woeful defensive start in the first half, the C’s locked in on that end of the floor after intermission, limiting the Magic to 41 second half points while riding the contributions of Hayward, Walker and Daniel Theis (season-high 16 points) in the win.
The victory gave Brad Stevens the 300th victory of his career and was one of Boston’s best team wins of the year with big contributions from supporting pieces like Grant Williams (season-high three 3s) and Javonte Green (tough defense against Terrance Ross). Evan Fournier led the hosts with 30 points but no one else in the starting five shot above 40 percent from the field.
Boston is back in action on Sunday night when they go for their fourth straight win against Zion Williamson and the Pelicans in New Orleans.
PG: Kemba Walker
SG: Marcus Smart
SF: Gordon Hayward
PF: Grant Williams
C: Daniel Theis
- The Celtics will be without Enes Kanter for the next two games due to a bruised hip. He's set to be re-evaluated in Boston on Monday. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are out with a groin strain and ankle sprain respectively but remain day-to-day.
- Romeo Langford remains on assignment with the Red Claws but Tacko Fall was recalled for added depth against a big Magic frontcourt that includes Vucevic, Birch and Mo Bamba.
- Look for Vincent Poirier to get some minutes in this one at center as he is the only true healthy big on Boston's bench ahead of Tacko Fall.
- Orlando will be without three key rotation players in DJ Augustin, Al-Farouq Aminu and Jonathan Isaac.