Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum. David Butler II-Imagn Images

Celtics advance with dominant second half against Magic

By Sean Keane | Last updated Apr 30, 2025 12:30 AM ET

For two quarters, the Orlando Magic hung with the Boston Celtics. After halftime, the Celtics reminded the Magic and the rest of the NBA that they were defending champions.

The Celtics turned a two-point halftime deficit into a 21-point lead after a dominant third quarter where they scored 36 points, shots 64.7 percent and drained five three-pointers while holding the Magic to 13 points. They followed that up with a 37-point fourth quarter for a 120-89 win that eliminated the Magic and set the Celtics up for a date with the New York Knicks or Detroit Pistons.

Jayson Tatum was particularly good in that quarter, scoring 13 points while going 3-of-3 on threes with three rebounds and three assists. The Celtics' All-NBA forward started his surge at the end of the first half, scoring four points in the final 30 seconds.

TATUM TWO-HAND HAMMER TO END THE HALF

Magic/Celtics on NBA TV | BOS leads 3-1 pic.twitter.com/26Iwn1ztiT
— NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2025

In the last six minutes of the third quarter, the Celtics held the Magic to four points on 2-of-11 shooting, while pouring in 24 points themselves. It was the combination of stifling defense and three-point proficiency that helped the Celtics roll to the title last season with a 16-3 playoff record.

In the second half, Boston gave up only 40 points and shot 13-of-18 from three-point range. They did this against the NBA's best three-point defense and the No. 2 defense overall.

Tatum is healthy again and the Celtics' shooting is on fire. The rest of the NBA is on notice.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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