Celtics Fall To Magic For Third Straight Loss
BOSTON (AP) — Elfrid Payton had 22 points and the Orlando Magic won for just the third time in their last 20 games, overcoming Kyrie Irving's 40 points to beat the Boston Celtics 103-95 on Sunday.
Orlando snapped a 14-game losing streak at Boston. The Magic had lost 10 in a row on the road overall since early December.
Irving sat out Boston's previous game to rest a sore left shoulder. Despite his efforts, the Celtics dropped their season-worst third straight home game.
Evan Fournier added 19 and Aaron Gordon had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds for the Magic.
Trailing 59-58 at halftime, Orlando outscored the Celtics 32-12 in the third quarter while shooting 60 percent. The Magic held Boston to four field goals, three by Irving, and led 90-71 after three.
Jayson Tatum sparked a fourth-quarter run by scoring seven of his nine points to draw the Celtics to 93-84, but both teams traded points and Orlando maintained control the rest of the way.
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