The Boston Celtics beat the Orlando Magic 107-98 in a crucial Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round series, securing a decisive 3-1 series lead.

Jayson Tatum’s historic performance, which cemented his place in the NBA postseason record books, was a key factor in this triumph.  

A Historic Performance

A masterclass was delivered by Jayson Tatum, who finished with 37 points and 14 rebounds. Interestingly, he shot a perfect 14 for 14 from the free-throw line, which was his second straight postseason game with perfect free-throw shooting; in Game 3, he was 12-for-12.

This accomplishment demonstrates Tatum’s composure and effectiveness under pressure.

Tatum took over in the fourth quarter, when the Celtics were tied at 91-91. He scored 16 of the team’s 28 points in the last quarter. He scored nine points in the final 4:18, which helped the Celtics win the game with a crucial 10-1 run.

Team Effort and Resilience

The Celtics’ triumph was a team effort, even though Tatum’s performance was the high point. Kristaps Porzingis scored 19 points despite foul trouble, Derrick White added 18 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, and Jaylen Brown added 21 points and 11 rebounds. With five blocks, Al Horford’s defensive presence was noteworthy.

The Celtics demonstrated tenacity by recovering from a defeat in Game 3 and overcoming early shooting difficulties in Game 4. Their defensive perseverance and excellent free-throw shooting (30 of 32) were major contributors to the victory.  

Looking Ahead

The Celtics head back to Boston with a 3-1 series lead and a chance to win Game 5 to end the series. The team is in a strong position to make it to the conference semifinals owing to Tatum’s leadership and their well-coordinated performance.

Tatum’s historic Game 4 performance is evidence of both his development and the Celtics’ championship hopes as the playoffs go on.