How does five wins in a row strike you? And each one featuring at least a 20-point lead? That’s what the Celtics have done after a strong 113-94 win over Orlando in Boston. The Cs’ record is now 27-21.
The Celts had the lead most of the way, but Orlando wouldn’t go away and had cut the margin to seven points near the end of the third quarter. But Evan Turner hit a floater at the buzzer, and Boston caught fire starting the fourth, running off a 24-4 spurt to blow it wide open at 108-81. Kelly Olynyk keyed the run with nine points.
Seven Cs finished in double figures scoring, led by Marcus Smart and Olynyk with 16 each. Jared Sullinger had 11 points and 11 boards, and Jonas Jerebko added 13 and 10. Evan Turner and Isaiah Thomas posted eight assists each.
The Magic have now lost eight straight. The Celts travel to Orlando to complete this home-and-home series on Sunday.
After an extremely slow start by both teams – the score was 9-9 after six minutes – Boston’s shooting began to click. Sullinger scored nine points with five rebounds in the first eight minutes, then Jae Crowder perked up to add seven points. The Celts ended the period shooting 48% and led, 26-22, while holding Orlando to 8-23 from the field.
The second quarter saw Jerebko and Smart both hit two-of-two from the three-point arc. Olynyk dunked on a dribble drive and IT (12 of his 14 total points in the half) went coast to coast for a layup that beat the buzzer. The Cs were ahead, 58-50, going to the locker room. Boston shot 52.5% in the half while holding Orlando to 43.9%.
The third quarter began poorly as the Cs missed five of their first six shots. Orlando crept to within five as Brad Stevens called a disgusted timeout just four minutes in. But Crowder hit a pair of threes, Sully added five boards and a hellacious block of an Aaron Gordon drive, and Turner threw in his buzzer shot to give Boston an 86-77 advantage after three. Then came the deluge.
The Green:
Boston shot 43 of 86 for exactly 50% — only the fourth time this season they’ve made at least half their field goals in a game. Meanwhile, they held the Magic to 40.5%.
In the second quarter, Smart made a classic top-down strip and steal off Evan Fournier, then followed it with a three at the other end. Later, the Cobra simply snatched the ball right out of the hands of an unsuspecting Jason Smith to start a breakout.
From the arc, Jerebko made all three of his attempts, Smart finished 3/5, and Crowder was 3/6.
Sully, becoming known for his outlet passes, hit Crowder with a perfect 80-foot chest pass for a layup.
Olynyk hit one of two three-pointers and is now at 46.3% for the season.
The Gross:
High five fail
Possibly one of the worst hi fives I’ve ever seen! @Celtics @CelticsNation5 @CelticsDirect @celticsbuzztap @tvabby pic.twitter.com/eD7PuTLVT7
— Stewart Smith (@SSPHOTOBOSTON) January 30, 2016
The Greenlights:
Sweet dime
IT’s not done! This time he sets up Amir Johnson for the alley-oop jam. Watch it again (and again, and again): pic.twitter.com/Z3RpoXJQHd
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 30, 2016
Real bounce
Kelly Olynyk would like to remind everyone… The bounce is real: pic.twitter.com/QUEQja8qAQ
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 30, 2016
Scoop and score
Isaiah isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Check out this sweet scoop-and-score after he splits the D: pic.twitter.com/fhYeyo1GQ4
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 30, 2016
The Grid:
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- Celtics won all four quarters.
- In the fourth, Boston had five steals and nine assists on 12 made baskets.
- Points in the Paint: Magic 32 (16/40), Celtics 50 (25/43)
- Turner +25, Smart +24, Olynyk +29 as the bench scored 62 points.
- Isaiah received a video tribute for his All-Star selection.
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