Boston Celtics Power Past Orlando Magic in Game 4, Grabbing 3-1 Series Lead
Sunday night was all about grit, heart, and some serious playoff basketball energy as the Boston Celtics battled the Orlando Magic in Game 4. After a tough Game 3 loss where Orlando scrapped out a gritty win, Boston knew they had to punch back — and punch back they did, winning 107-98 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Man, was this game chippy!
Both teams weren’t just trading baskets — they were trading hard fouls, jawing at each other, and showing the kind of intensity you expect when the playoffs roll around. Orlando came in young, hungry, and unafraid to bring the fight to the defending champs. But Boston? Boston showed why they wear that crown.
⭐ Keys That Sealed the Deal for Boston ⭐
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Jayson Tatum Was Simply Unstoppable
Tatum, fresh off missing the first playoff game of his career earlier in the series, came back like a man on a mission. In Game 4, he dropped a monster 37 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, dished out 3 assists, and swiped 3 steals. He was everywhere on the floor.
One scary moment came in the second half when Anthony Black fouled Tatum hard on his already-injured right wrist. For a second, it looked dicey. But Tatum? He just dusted himself off, nailed both free throws, and kept rolling like nothing ever happened. That's MVP mentality right there. -
Dominating the Free Throw Line
Physical games usually mean a parade to the free throw line — and Boston made sure to cash in. They shot an incredible 93% from the stripe, making 30 of their 32 attempts. Meanwhile, Orlando only managed 14 of 20 for 70%.
In a tight, foul-heavy game, that kind of efficiency at the line can be the difference between a W and an L. And for Boston, it absolutely was.
Starting Five Held It Down
With Jrue Holiday sidelined for a second straight game, the Celtics’ starting unit had to step up big — and boy, they delivered.
Jayson Tatum led the charge, but he wasn’t alone. Jaylen Brown added 21 points and Derrick White chipped in with 18, helping spread the scoring load. Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis also played critical roles, especially defensively.
And hey, shoutout to Sam Hauser too — he finally got a field goal to drop in this series, a small but much-needed boost for Boston's bench production.
🎥 Highlight of the Night:
In the late stages of the fourth quarter, Kristaps Porzingis gave Celtics fans a “did-you-see-that?!” moment. After a missed alley-oop attempt from Tatum, Porzingis stayed with the play, scooped up the loose ball, muscled it up through contact, and converted the and-1. The Garden would’ve gone nuts — but even down in Orlando, you could feel the momentum swing off that play.
Looking Ahead: Game 5 — Time to Close It Out
Next up, the series heads back to Boston for a potential close-out Game 5, set for Tuesday, April 29 at 8:30 PM ET on NBA TV.
With two dominant wins already at home earlier in the series (Boston outscored Orlando by a combined 26 points), the Celtics are feeling confident about ending things on their home floor.
And there’s more good news — Jrue Holiday might be back! Reports suggest he could return for Game 5, which would give Boston their full starting five back just in time for a playoff push.
If Boston wraps this up on Tuesday night, they’ll turn their attention toward the winner of the New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons matchup. Right now, the Knicks lead that series 3-1, so a Celtics-Knicks showdown could be right around the corner. Imagine the fireworks if that happens!
Orlando's Fight — but Falling Short
Give the Magic credit — they didn’t back down, even as Boston’s talent began to overwhelm them. Their young core — including Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner — showed flashes of brilliance, but they couldn’t quite match the consistency and composure of a veteran Boston squad when it mattered most.
Orlando’s toughness has been one of the biggest stories of the series, with their relentless physical style keeping them in games. But Sunday night showed that playoff basketball is about more than just grit — it’s about execution, and Boston executed at a championship level.
📈 Stat of the Game:
Boston’s free throw performance:
✅ 30-of-32 made (93.8%)
Meanwhile, Orlando struggled:
❌ 14-of-20 made (70%)
That’s a nearly 24% gap in efficiency — a killer when games are decided by single-digit margins.
The Bottom Line:
This is playoff basketball at its best — tough, emotional, and downright physical. But when the dust settled in Game 4, the Celtics proved why they're the reigning champs.
With a chance to wrap things up at home, get fully healthy, and prepare for a deeper playoff run, Boston has everything right where they want it.
Now, it’s just about finishing the job.
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