The Boston Celtics took care of business at home against the visiting Orlando Magic, cruising to a 121-94 win. Boston improves to 29-12 on the season with the result.

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.

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 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)

Amid their worst stretch of the season, the Celtics will try to regain their early-season form against the Magic.

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

Two of the top teams in the NBA collide on Sunday when the Denver Nuggets (25-16) travel to face the Orlando Magic (23-20). It’s time to continue our NBA odds series with a Nuggets-Magic prediction and pick.