Though the Celtics have had their struggles this season starting out games slow and playing down to their opponents, that was not the case tonight as they blew past the Orlando Magic in a 36-point stomping, 132-96.
The Celtics got the scoring onslaught started early in the first quarter as they jumped out to a 39-27 point lead after one. Kemba Walker got into a groove in the opening 12 minutes, scoring 12 points. Walker tied his season-high with 32 points on 11-of-18 shooting and 6-of-9 from downtown.
Jayson Tatum took the reins in the second quarter, scoring 12 points as the Celtics ran into halftime with a 63-45 lead. Tatum, who just won his third Player of the Week honors, finished with 27 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
Celtics rookie Aaron Nesmith explains how he worked his way into Boston’s rotation https://t.co/3yMPwtrZc6
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 5, 2021
Evan Fournier got the start in place of Jaylen Brown, who missed tonight’s game due aggravating a sprain in his right ankle in Sunday’s loss to Portland, scored 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. Fournier, like Walker, came out the gate hot, scoring 10 first quarter points.
Having Fournier continue to find himself after struggling with COVID will be huge for the Celtics come playoff, or play-in time, as they currently sit as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Celtics will look to build on tonight’s momentum on Friday against the Chicago Bulls.
This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
[mm-video type=video id=01f4z56mbfjg37xysrkd playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f4z56mbfjg37xysrkd/01f4z56mbfjg37xysrkd-c8a3c9904f2ce399ed89b86a6a417144.jpg]