The Orlando Magic seized control with a dominant third-quarter surge and held strong in the clutch, securing a 95-93 win in Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference First Round on April 26.
Boston Celtics Top Performers:
Jayson Tatum 36 PTS | 9 REB | 3 AST | 51.8 FPS
Tatum returned to action today after missing Game 2 with a wrist injury sustained in Game 1. He was still not at his best in offense, missing jumpshots left and right and committing seven turnovers after recording none in Game 1. But he kept his output elite with a 12-for-12 shooting at the line, pushing him to his 31th playoff game with at least 30 points, surpassing Hondo in franchise history. He also continues to add more value with his all-around contributions—especially in rebounding and defense—and should consistently rank among the top three performers in the series.
Jaylen Brown 19 PTS | 6 REB | 1 BLK | 27.7 FPS
Brown continues to deal with a knee issue but remains a big factor in the series. He was coming off a 36-point double-double in Game 2 and has remained highly effective on offense, posting shooting splits of 53/54/88 over three games. However, his output has declined at times with inconsistent usage, and turnovers becoming a concern, with a total of nine committed over his last two outings.
Derrick White 16 PTS | 5 AST | 2 STL | 36.1 FPS
White has been a standout performer throughout the series, starting off with a 40+ fantasy point performance in Game 1. He’s maintained his steady play in his last two games, posting 30+ fantasy points. One of the most well-rounded players in the matchup, White’s two-way impact has been undeniable—dropping 30 points and hitting 7 threes in Game 1, and also recording 3 stocks in two contests.
Al Horford 6 PTS | 7 REB | 2 BLK | 24.9 FPS
Horford has provided steady value at his position and has been more impactful over the last two games. He also should continue to be a valuable contributor in the series—and potentially take on an even bigger role if Porzingis continues to struggle.
Luke Kornet 6 PTS | 6 REB | 2 STL | 19.2 FPS
Kornet saw an increased role today with Porzingis struggling, and contributed some value on both ends. He’s certainly capable of keeping this up but only if Porzingis remains off.
Orlando Magic Top Performers:
Franz Wagner 32 PTS | 7 REB | 8 AST | 57.4 FPS
Franz recorded his second career 30-point playoff game today, but his overall offensive game remains far from his best, especially from deep—where he’s shot 5-for-26 through three games. Despite that, he rounded out his output with solid numbers in three other major categories while continuing to deliver in key moments, stepping up in the fourth quarter to help stall the Celtics’ comeback. The team will need him to perform consistently at this level if they hope to move to the next round.
Paolo Banchero 29 PTS | 6 REB | 2 STL | 39.7 FPS
Paolo has been the most consistent scorer in the series, posting at least 29 points in three straight games and climbing into the Top 3 in postseason scoring. While his offensive game wasn’t as sharp today, he made up for it at the line, going 7-for-8 after shooting just 58% prior. With the team struggling, he had a tough time generating assists and wasn’t able to take advantage of it in rebounding. Despite that, he remains a strong multi-category threat and should continue to post elite numbers moving forward.
Wendell Carter Jr. 10 PTS | 12 REB | 1 BLK | 27.9 FPS
Carter has been a steady contributor at his position, averaging a double-double through the first three games. He’s also stepped up offensively in this series, with strong percentages and even going 3-for-3 from three-point range in Game 2. With the team looking for additional offensive support, his presence will be crucial if they hope to even the series.
Anthony Black 9 PTS | 2 REB | 2 STL | 17.4 FPS
Black’s impact in this series has been more valuable to the team than in fantasy stats. However, he’s given the offense a solid boost in the last two games. With the highest upside among the team’s bench, a more impactful performance remains well within reach.
Cory Joseph 6 PTS | 3 REB | 1 AST | 10.1 FPS
Joseph wasn’t much of a factor in the first three games with limited usage and minimal production. While he remains a starter, it’s unlikely for him to make a significant impact in the series.
Biggest Disappointment of the Game:
Kristaps Porzingis 7 PTS | 6 REB | 1 STL
KP has really struggled offensively in this series, shooting just 28% from the field and going 0-for-10 from deep over the first three games. Even so, he’s stayed impactful with his rebounding and defense, though it wasn’t as effective today. With Tatum and Brown not fully healthy, the team will continue to rely on him, particularly in scoring for them to win the series.
