The Boston Celtics commenced their first-round playoff series with a commanding win over the Orlando Magic, triumphing 103-86 on Sunday. The show belonged to Derrick White, who stepped up beautifully with a team-high 30 points on incredible efficiency. In the meantime, Jayson Tatum chipped in 17 points, despite taking a concerning spill in crunch time.
Right from the beginning, the Celtics set their tone on the series. It was White’s scoring explosion that ultimately propelled Boston to a commanding lead. His 30 points were enough to help snag the win and established the tone for the series to come.
The success of Jason Tatum helped make this run special for the Celtics. 17 points on the night doesn’t really begin to explain how involved he was in keeping Grambling’s flurry unrelenting across the duration of the game. With just under three minutes left in regulation, Tatum suffered a nasty spill to the floor. This scare sent everyone into a panic, both among fans and within the Steelers locker room. Thankfully, he was able to complete the game without any additional drama.
The Celtics’ defense was equally as important to their championship run. By doing so, they made it easier to limit the Orlando Magic’s scoring opportunities, enabling them to dictate the pace of the game. The Magic had a tough time getting into any kind of flow against a determined Boston team that was quick to pounce on their errors.
Wednesday’s victory is a bright new beginning for the Celtics, who shouldn’t be deterred in this best-of-7 playoff series. With White leading the team in scoring and Tatum as a great one-two punch, the team seems more than ready for what’s to come. This victory serves as a major morale boost for the team. It creates a combative environment as they fight to go deeper in the post season.
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