Celtics Show Resilience in Game 2 Victory
WASHINGTON: The defending champion Boston Celtics, showing they can handle physical play, fought hard to secure a 109-100 victory over the Orlando Magic, taking a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference first round series with Game 3 set for Friday in Orlando.
Jaylen Brown had a standout performance, scoring 36 points with an impressive 5-of-7 from beyond the arc, leading the Celtics despite missing their star player, Jason Tatum. Tatum, a six-time All-Star, was sidelined with a bruised wrist, marking his first playoff absence after 114 games.
Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis played a crucial role, contributing 20 points and matching Brown and Al Horford with 10 rebounds. He sustained a forehead gash late in the third quarter from an elbow in a rebound tussle, requiring five stitches to close the wound.
“It was a tough, physical game with battles for every rebound, which will likely continue throughout the series,” Porzingis remarked. He emphasized the Celtics’ determination, stating, “We’re not going to let anybody intimidate us.”
Porzingis highlighted the Celtics’ readiness for the aggressive style of play often encountered, affirming, “We expect teams to try to provoke us, but we won’t back down; we’ll respond in kind.”
In other playoff action, the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers overcame the Miami Heat 121-112, thanks to Donovan Mitchell’s stellar 30-point performance, with 17 points coming in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets leveled their Western Conference series against the Golden State Warriors with a 109-94 win, fueled by Jalen Green’s 38 points.
Despite his injury, Porzingis returned to the game after receiving treatment, humorously likening the physicality of the match to pro wrestling. He expressed confidence in his team’s abilities, stating, “We have a lot of talent, and our determination is key moving forward,” as the Celtics look to build upon their strong performance without Tatum.
