In a dramatic regular-season finale, the Boston Celtics' bench unit delivered a stunning 113-108 victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday night, forcing Orlando into a road play-in game. With eight regular rotation players, including stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, resting, the Celtics' reserves stepped up in a crucial matchup that reshaped the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
Bench Stars Shine Bright
According to the Associated Press, Baylor Scheierman exploded for a career-high 30 points, while Luka Garza contributed 27 points and 12 rebounds. Garza's performance was highlighted by a go-ahead three-pointer with just 31.6 seconds remaining, sealing the win for Boston. Ron Harper Jr. also set a personal best with 27 points for the Celtics, who finished the season with a 56-26 record and had already locked up the No. 2 seed in the East.
Magic's Hopes Dashed
The Orlando Magic entered the game on a five-game winning streak, poised to secure the No. 7 seed and a home play-in game. However, the loss dropped them to the eighth seed, setting up a road matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. Paolo Banchero recorded an impressive triple-double with 23 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds, and Jalen Suggs added 23 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Boston's determined reserves.
Game-Changing Third Quarter
The game turned decisively in the third quarter, where the Celtics caught fire from beyond the arc. Boston hit nine of 16 three-pointers and outscored Orlando 42-20, turning a halftime deficit into a 94-81 lead. Scheierman keyed a 12-2 spurt with two of Boston's four three-pointers in a span of just 1:48, showcasing the bench's offensive prowess.
Late-Game Drama
Orlando refused to fold, mounting a late comeback. Wendell Carter Jr.'s free throw cut the lead to 108-105 with 1:37 left, and Suggs buried a tying three-pointer from the right wing. But Garza answered immediately, taking a pass off an inbounds play, turning, and drilling the decisive shot, as reported by the AP. The Celtics had led by as many as 16 points early in the final quarter before Banchero's layup pulled Orlando within five with under four minutes remaining.
Other NBA Results
In other NBA action on Sunday, several games impacted playoff seeding and standings:
- Detroit Pistons topped Indiana Pacers 133-121
- Toronto Raptors routed Brooklyn Nets 136-101
- Charlotte Hornets beat New York Knicks 110-96
- Miami Heat defeated Atlanta Hawks 143-117
- Cleveland Cavaliers downed Washington Wizards 130-117
- Philadelphia 76ers topped Milwaukee Bucks 126-106
- Phoenix Suns won at Oklahoma City Thunder 135-103
- Houston Rockets routed Memphis Grizzlies 132-101
- Dallas Mavericks beat Chicago Bulls 149-128
- Los Angeles Lakers defeated Utah Jazz 131-107
- LA Clippers edged Golden State Warriors 115-110
- Denver Nuggets won at San Antonio Spurs 128-118
- Portland Trail Blazers beat Sacramento Kings 122-110
- Minnesota Timberwolves defeated New Orleans Pelicans 132-126
This victory underscores the depth of the Celtics' roster as they head into the playoffs, while the Magic must regroup for a challenging road play-in game against Philadelphia.
