Celtics dispose of Magic; Pistons stay alive vs Knicks
LOS ANGELES, United States — The reigning NBA champions Boston Celtics overpowered the Orlando Magic with a series-clinching 120-89 victory at the TD Garden Wednesday (Manila time).
Jayson Tatum's 35-point display and 23 points from Jaylen Brown helped the Celtics close out their series against Orlando.
The Celtics trailed 49-47 after a sluggish first-half display but erupted on a 35-9 run in the third quarter to take the game away from the Magic.
"We didn't really like the way we played in the first half," Tatum said. "But it's tough to put a team away. We just stuck with it.
"But we're champions and we can win in multiple different ways, with multiple different lineups. The Magic forced us to play in a different way, but we adapted and figured it out.”
The Celtics will face the winner of the series between New York and Detroit in the other Eastern Conference semifinal.
The Knicks, leading their series 3-1, missed the chance to join Boston and Indiana in the second round after losing 106-103 to Detroit at the Madison Square Garden.
The Pistons ensured their postseason campaign will last at least one more game after downing the Knicks in New York. The Knicks lead the best-of-seven series 3-2.
In a game that saw the lead change hands 18 times, the Pistons held on for the win after the Knicks closed to 104-103 with seven seconds remaining.
Cade Cunningham led Detroit's scoring with 24 points with Ausar Thompson adding 22.
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