The Boston Celtics have a problem getting started in games lately.
In yet another contest where they dug themselves a deep hole, Boston actually started out doing alright until midway through the first quarter, when Orlando went on a 13-0 run to take the lead that would grow to 16 points by the halfway point of the second round.
All-Star point guard Kemba Walker effectively kept the Celtics in it during the first half, scoring 19 points in just the second quarter alone.
Boston was led by a massive night from the UConn product with 37 total points and six assists, with help from forward Gordon Hayward, who added 22 points and 14 boards.
Daniel Theis chipped in 16 points and 6 rebounds as well.
Magic wing Evan Fournier went off for 30 points and 5 boards with center Nikola Vucevic recording 17 points and 12 rebounds, but Orlando couldn’t manage to overcome even a depleted Boston roster.
The Celtics were without both of their dynamic young wings Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum and reserve centers Enes Kanter and Robert Williams III, but still managed to come away with the win.
The Celtics slowly chipped away at Orlando’s lead in the third quarter, vertaking the Magic off of a Semi Ojeleye trey with roughly two-and-a-half minutes remaining in the frame.
Boston would never trail again, and extended their winning streak to three games for their trouble, and now sit a half-game behind the Toronto Raptors for fourth-place in the East standings.
The Boston Celtics next face the New Orleans Pelicans on the road in Smoothie King Arena on Sunday, January 6 at 6pm ET.
