Everything you need to know about the Celtics' 122-119 win over the Magic with BSJ insight and analysis
HEADLINES
Celtics escape with an overtime win thanks to Tatum and Hayward: The Celtics climbed back from a five-point deficit in the final minute of regulation by forcing overtime, setting the stage for 122-119 overtime win against the Magic on Sunday night. Gordon Hayward had a game-high 31 points in the victory but it was Jayson Tatum (29 points) who was the hero down the stretch, scoring five points in the final minute of regulation to force the extra frame. Daniel Theis also pitched in with a couple key blocks in crunch time to make up for what was an otherwise lackluster defensive effort by Boston over the first 46 minutes of the game.
The offensive efforts from Tatum and Hayward made up for a lackluster effort by the starting backcourt in this one. Kemba Walker managed just four points on 1-of-9 shooting over 32 minutes while Jaylen Brown struggled with his shot (7-of-19) but did manage to chip in with 19 points and 12 rebounds for his first double-double in Orlando.
Nikola Vucevic had a team-high 26 points for the Magic who were playing without three injured starters but still fighting for the No. 7 seed in the East. Boston has now won three straight overall heading into a game with potential draft pick implications on Tuesday night against the Grizzlies.
Rob Williams shines off the bench once again: The center was the first big man reserve called upon for the third straight game and did not disappoint with 8 points in his 15 minutes. He got minutes over Enes Kanter off the bench in a tight game in the second half, strengthening his hold as the preferred backup center option for Brad Stevens during the team’s three-game winning streak.
TURNING POINT
After rallying from a five-point deficit at the end of regulation, the Celtics took control in overtime with a 10-3 run behind scoring from Hayward and Tatum. That and some stout defense down the stretch was enough to hold keep a frisky Magic team at bay
TWO UP
Tatum: The All-Star scored 17 of his 28 points in the second half, with 10 of those coming in the final minute of regulation and overtime to help ensure a win didn’t slip away from the C’s. He also was a team-high +14 on the night.
Hayward: It was the second 30-point game of the season for Hayward and his fifth as a member of the Celtic over the past two seasons, going a tremendously efficient 12-of-18 from the field.
TWO DOWN
Kemba Walker: The Magic had imposing size at several positions of the floor and they took advantage of the undersized point guard on multiple occasions in the post. Walker also struggled with his shooting, scoring just four points on 1-of-9 shooting despite upping his minutes to 32.
Celtics defense: Boston stepped up in overtime with the necessary stops but the Magic were without three of their starters in this one and still had little trouble creating offense for much of the night before going cold in overtime. It may have been a lack of focus after the C’s sealed the No. 3 seed in the East last night but they should have done a better job locking down against an Orlando offense that lacked firepower
TOP PLAY
ALL TIED UP pic.twitter.com/D4wPh6oY3o
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 9, 2020
TWO TAKES B-ROBB WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
The ball movement is improving by the game: While the Celtics didn’t shoot the ball great in this one from the perimeter, their ball movement was some of the best we’ve seen this year, as the group notched 32 assists on the whole. The patience in driving and kicking against a disciplined Magic defense was good practice for what this team is going to need to do in the postseason to find open opportunities against better defenses. Smart, Hayward, Tatum and Walker all chipped in with at least five assists each and that’s a promising sign for an offense that will be trying to hit the ground running this week.
The rookies may be taking a backseat heading into the playoffs: There was a little of excitement about Grant Williams and Romeo Langford heading into the start of play in the Orlando bubble but they found themselves playing zero meaningful minutes for the second straight game. The emergence of Rob Williams has slotted Grant Williams towards the back of the center depth chart while Semi Ojeleye’s 3-point shooting appears to make him the preferred option over Romeo Langford for the moment. Both youngsters should get some opportunity in the next two games with the starters getting some extra rest from their usual minutes but their chances of having their number called for regular rotation minutes in the postseason are slim at this point unless someone falters in front of them.