Celtics Suffer Narrow Defeat to Magic in Game 3
In a gripping contest, the Boston Celtics fell to the Orlando Magic 95-93 in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series, despite Jayson Tatum’s impressive 36-point performance. The loss saw the Celtics surrender 26 points off turnovers, a stark contrast to their usual level of play.
The game was marked by a chaotic final minute, which featured a series of contentious calls. With under a minute remaining, a rebound dispute led to a ruling favoring the Magic despite confusion about the play. The Celtics’ defense stifled Orlando’s attempts to secure the game, but they struggled offensively, culminating in a series of critical turnovers.
The Celtics entered the third quarter with a promising ten-point lead, but an uncharacteristic collapse allowed the Magic to dominate, scoring 24 points to Boston’s 11 in that period. Tatum acknowledged the team’s stagnation and emphasized the need for better pacing and ball movement.
Kristaps Porzingis’s struggles were also a key factor. He continued to produce suboptimal performances, missing critical shots and failing to provide defensive support. Porzingis described his shooting as “janky,” underscoring the need for improvement.
As the clock wound down, the Celtics were hampered by more contentious officiating calls. A late attempt to rally was thwarted, leaving the Celtics needing to regroup for Game 4 on Sunday. Jaylen Brown, who suffered a dislocated finger during the match, emphasized the need for the team to respond with determination.
With the series now tied at 2-1, the Celtics will look to rebound and regain control as they face a determined Magic squad in the upcoming game.
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