Spurred on by a Balanced Attack and a Fourth Quarter Run, the Boston Celtics Dismantle the Orlando Magic, 113-94
With Floyd “Money” Mayweather in attendance for Friday night’s game between the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic, the Boston Celtics waited until the fourth quarter to deliver the finishing punch, besting the Magic 113-94.
The Celtics, who have now won five straight, and 8 out of 10 games, were paced by a bench that outscored the starters by a 62-51 margin.
Kelly Olynyk continued his ascension as an offensive force, tying the team-high with 16 points on 7-12 shooting. He was also a team-high +29 on the night.
Since a loss back on January 12 against the Knicks, Olynyk has averaged 14.1 points on 51% shooting from the floor, including a robust 62% from three-point.
In addition to Olynyk’s aggressive offensive output tonight, the Celtics bench closed the door on what had yet to be a decided game with a 22-4 run to begin the fourth quarter, which included a lead as high as 27 points.
“We were just moving the ball and getting out in transition, getting easy stuff to the hoop,” Olynyk said of the team’s success to begin the fourth. “You can’t go on a 15 to 0 run without getting stops.”
In what ended up being Boston’s 11th straight game with 100 points or more scored, it was the defense that rotated quickly and efficiently, forcing the Magic into 40% shooting on the night.
“They [the Celtics] get up, they get into you, they try to make it difficult, and you try to run something [and] they just blow right through it.”
Isaiah Thomas posted an efficient 14 points and 8 assists in 27 minutes of action in front of his friend Mayweather, Jae Crowder had his outside shot going with 3 made three-pointers, and Jared Sullinger put up points early with an advantageous matchup to start the game, however, it was the bench that made the starters night an early one.
Marcus Smart made the Magic ball handlers’ nights a living hell with a game-high three steals. Smart, who also tied Olynyk with a game-high 16 points on the night, helped instill an intensity that made bedlam in the Garden on Friday night.
“Our intensity on both ends is good to see out there and we have a big test coming up Sunday playing the same team again, especially after beating them here on our home court they’ll be hungry for a win,” Smart said.
Boston will visit these same Magic Sunday at 6 p.m.
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