“Tatum’s Stellar Return Spoiled by Orlando’s Fourth Quarter Magic: Magic Edge Past Celtics 95-93”

In the pulsating heart of Orlando’s Kia Center, a fierce NBA battle unfolded that shredded scripts and silenced predictors. Picture the scene: the crack of a whip, fans on the edge, and every play a tension-inducing drama that could tilt the scales. Friday night painted an exhilarating chapter in the Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics playoff story. Franz Wagner, with his silent artistry, contributed a whopping 32 points, while Paolo Banchero pitched in with 29 – a dynamic young duo responsible for steering the Magic to a nail-biting 95-93 victory. The win? Well, it’s not just any notch on the scorecard but a statement that narrowed Boston’s series advantage to 2-1.

The shocker of the night? Jayson Tatum, returning from a doubtful status with a bruised wrist, showcased resilience, putting up 36 points. Yet, what felt like inevitability – the Celtics’ road prowess – met its Orlando Kryptonite. This game wasn’t just basketball; oh no, it was aerial warfare with fouls flying, turnovers tumbling, and shots that either kissed the basket or exited the building. Boston, a league leader in 3-point efficiency, shot a paltry 9 of 27 from beyond the arc. They stormed into Orlando with road game records that screamed ‘undefeated challengers’, yet came away winless in three, a humbling hat trick.

Aggression was the currency paid, with Wagner proclaiming the evident, “I feel like whoever plays more aggressive is going to win in this series.” It’s not just a physical battle; it’s a mental chess match with Orlando playing a hard-nosed strategy to unsettle Boston’s lethal offense. From flagrant fouls orchestrated by Cole Anthony to the Boston star Jaylen Brown nursing a dislocated finger, this series is shaping into an epic clash.

The narrative is now flipped, the pendulum swings back, and the Magic host Game 4 with an air of possibility and anticipation swirling around like confetti. As for me, I, like the thousands of rabid fans at the Kia Center, am ready for the next act in this basketball saga. Here’s to Sunday, to the next game, and to the unraveling opportunity for an upset or an epic comeback. LEARN MORE

Boston rallied after scoring just 11 points in the third quarter to tie it 91 on Derrick White’s layup with 2:31 to play. Wagner answered with a layup, and after a miss by Tatum, followed with another basket for a 95-91 lead with 1:26 to play.The flagrant foul was called on Orlando’s Cole Anthony after a play in which Boston’s Jaylen Brown dislocated his left index finger.Tatum, who was listed as doubtful late Friday afternoon, scored 21 points in the first half, leading the Celtics to a 10-point lead.Jayson Tatum had 36 points and nine rebounds for the Celtics in his return to the starting lineup after missing Game 2 with a bruised wrist.The Celtics played without Jrue Holiday, who has a strained right hamstring.

Tatum’s 3-pointer early in the second half stretched their lead to 11, but the Celtics missed 17 of their next 19 shots and did not hit another 3-point shot until Al Horford connected with 6:20 left in the fourth quarter.Wagner and Banchero combined for nine points on a 14-0 run that pulled the Magic ahead and they led 86-74 after the third quarter.“Some fouls they call and some they don’t, and that’s how it’s going to be,” said Kristaps Porzingis, who had seven points and four fouls. “We have to accept the reality and also, we can use that. It goes both ways. It’s really a big difference from the regular season.”The defending NBA champions were 33-8 on the road this season but are now 0-3 in Orlando in 2024-25. The Magic host Game 4 on Sunday.“Maybe a fight will break out (in Game 4),” said Brown, who finished with 19 points and five fouls. “If you want to fight, we can do that and see who goes to the second round.”The Celtics believe the Magic are already getting plenty of shots in.White scored, and after Wagner missed a 3-pointer, the Celtics got the ball and inbounded with 0.3 seconds left but White’s pass toward the basket was tapped away as time expired.ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Franz Wagner scored 32 points, Paolo Banchero added 29 and the Orlando Magic beat Boston 95-93 on Friday night to cut the Celtics’ lead to 2-1 in the Eastern Conference first-round series.“I feel like it suits our team, our playing style,” said Wagner, who had eight assists and seven rebounds. “We’ve played like that all year, and I feel like whoever plays more aggressive is going to win in this series.”The Celtics, who set several NBA records for 3-point shooting during the regular season, shot 9 for 27 in Game 3 and went 17 minutes between 3-pointers in the second half. The game included 43 fouls, a flagrant foul and 35 turnovers, 21 by the Celtics against the physical Magic defense.