After Wednesday's loss at Milwaukee, Magic players pointed to an atypical lack of energy at the root of the rout. At Friday's shootaround, second-year guard Anthony Black said games like this one with the Celtics are the ones "hoopers get up for."

Jayson Tatum scored 30 points and the Boston Celtics ran past the Orlando Magic 121-94. With freshman star Cooper Flagg and his Duke teammates in the stands, Tatum, a former Blue Devils standout, went 12 of 21 from the floor to help Boston break out of a recent shooting slump.

The Celtics made 17 triples against the Magic on Friday night. Orlando ended with just 5. The long-range game was the difference.

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Paolo Banchero’s return to the lineup for Orlando was supposed to take them from overachievers to contenders. That is a work in progress. The Magic have lost four of their last six. They lost most recently 122-93 Wednesday in Milwaukee. Boston was upset Wednesday in Toronto. The Raptors knocked off the defending champs 110-97.

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, right, looks to shoot against Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Boston looks to capitalize on a much-needed breath of fresh air following an assertive win over the Orlando Magic.

The Orlando Magic will face the Boston Celtics in this NBA matchup at the TD Garden on Friday, January 17th. WATCH: Magic vs Celtics Live | Stream free on Fubo

Jayson Tatum scored a game-high 30 points and Kristaps Porzingis finished with 23 to lead the Boston Celtics to a 121-94 victory over the visiting Orlando Magic on Friday night.

Boston took advantage of a undermanned Magic squad, missing four rotation players with a dominant offensive effort from all areas of the floor. The Celtics shot a red-hot 61 percent from the field before intermission, helping them build a 12-point halftime lead.

The Boston Celtics soundly defeated the visiting Orlando Magic Tuesday night, grabbing a 121-94 victory at home, and turning the page on a bad road loss to the Toronto Raptors earlier in the week. Orlando has one of the NBA's top defenses,