BOSTON — — Paolo Banchero scored 31 points and Admiral Schofield shot 11 of his 13 in the fourth quarter to help the Orlando Magic end the back-to-back games in Boston with a 95-92 victory on Sunday.
Franz Wagner added 12 points and Ball Ball had 11 with eight rebounds for Orlando, which was 1-11 on the road before winning two straight against the Celtics at TD Garden.
It extended the Magic’s winning streak to six games, the longest since March 2019.
“It means a lot to come out in this environment and win two in a row against that great team,” Banchero said. “I think it’s very important for our confidence going forward. We know we can compete against anyone. We just have to maintain the same level of focus.”
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 24 points, Marcus Smart had 15, and Grant Williams had 14 points.
“We just have to come in with high energy out of the gate,” Smart said. “We go in slow and then try to wake up, that’s when we get ourselves into trouble. It will happen. We understand that. “This is how the game will play out.”
“Celtics” star forward Jayson Tatum missed the game due to personal reasons. The 24-year-old is the team’s leading scorer (30.2 ppg) and rebounder (8.2) and is fifth in the league in goals.
Boston center Robert Williams III sat out his second straight game after missing the first 29 following left knee surgery in September. He had six points and five rebounds in 17 minutes.
The Celtics shot 12 of 47 on 3-point attempts.
“I like the hitting we got, and you don’t change your approach,” Boston interim coach Joe Mazzulla said.
With Boston trailing 93-92, Smart stole an inbounds pass and went down the floor to call a timeout with 9.8 seconds to play before the Celtics turned it over on the other end.
Moritz Wagner hit two free throws with 5.3 seconds left before Grant Williams hit a 3-pointer from the left corner in front.
Grant Williams pulled back and was fouled, hitting a free throw that gave Boston a one-point lead with just under four minutes left, but Banchero hit a 3 on the Magic’s next possession and they never trailed again.
“They believe and understand they’re doing it by committee,” Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said. “This is who this team should be. rough, tough and fighting for each other.”
Malcolm Brogdon’s 3 put Boston within 93-92, but Markelle Fultz grabbed the rebound after Banchero’s miss and Orlando called a timeout.
Boston lost Friday’s game 117-109.
THIEF WELCOME!
Stuff the Magic Dragon, Orlando’s mascot, was part of a group of sports on hand for Children’s Day. It received rave reviews when shown on the Jumbotron.
ADVICES
Magic. It was Banchero’s 7th straight game of 20 or more points and 19th of the season. … Recalled RJ Hampton from their NBA G League affiliate. … In a somewhat slow-paced, lackluster opening half, the Magic took a 50-41 halftime lead.
Celtics. Center Al Horford was fined $25,000 by the league for making “excessive and excessive contact” with Magic center Moritz Wagner’s lower body during Friday’s loss. … Missed 18 of their initial 21 3-point attempts and went just 5 of 24 in the opening half. … Brown picked up his second foul when he was whistled before inbounding the ball after being called the first time.
NEXT
Magic: in the third of the Hawks’ four-game road trip Monday.
Celtics. hosts the Pacers on Wednesday in the third game of their 7-game homestand. They don’t play away from home again until 2023.
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AP NBA. https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP–Sports
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