Pro Sports

Jayson Tatum, Derrick White lead Celtics over Magic, 126-120

Posted October 22, 2022 7:00 am

By DICK SCANLON

Orlando Magic's Chuma Okeke, right, passes the ball as he gets caught between Boston Celtics' Marcus Smart (36) and Grant Williams (12) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Jayson Tatum and Derrick White combined for 12 straight points late in the fourth quarter to help the Boston Celtics beat the Orlando Magic 126-120 on Saturday night.

Tatum had 40 points and eight rebounds. He launched a 10-2 run with two free throws with 4:08 remaining to put the Celtics up for good.

Tatum is off to such a good start, he was asked about the Most Valuable Player award.

'œI mean, it's early but (the MVP) has always been a goal of mine,'ť Tatum acknowledged. 'œWhen I was a kid, getting into the NBA wasn't all I wanted to do. I wanted to be a champion, reach all those accolades and accomplishments, and MVP is obviously at the top of that list.'ť

White scored 27 points, two short of his career high, to help the Celtics win for the second straight night.

Terrence Ross led the Magic with 29 points, rookie Paolo Banchero had 23 and Franz Wagner added 18. The Magic dropped to 0-3 in losing for the Celtics for a 10th straight time.

'œThat is an elite Boston team. There's a reason they went to the Finals last year,'ť Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said. 'œThey're physical, they're tough, they're tied together.'ť

Playing without center Al Horford, the Celtics played most of the game with 6-foot-6 Grant Williams at center. He had 13 points and six rebounds in 31 minutes.

TIP-INS

Celtics: Horford did not play because of what the Celtics reported was a stiff back. ... Noah Vonleh got his first start for the Celtics at center. It was his first NBA start since Nov. 23, 2019, with Minnesota.

Magic: G Jalen Suggs did not play after spraining his right ankle in Atlanta on Friday night. ... G Markelle Fultz (fractured toe) has missed all three games and coach Jamahl Mosley said there is no timetable for his return.

UP NEXT

Celtics: At Chicago on Monday night.

Magic: At New York on Monday night.

___

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla directs his players against the Orlando Magic during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Associated Press

Boston Celtics' Blake Griffin (91) passes the ball around Orlando Magic's Paolo Banchero, center, and Bol Bol, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Associated Press

Boston Celtics' Malcolm Brogdon (13) loses the ball as he tries to go up to shoot between Orlando Magic's Franz Wagner (22) and Mo Bamba, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Associated Press

Boston Celtics' Blake Griffin, top center, and Orlando Magic's Kevon Harris, bottom center, battle for a the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Associated Press

Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown, center, shoots as he gets between Orlando Magic's Chuma Okeke (3) and R.J. Hampton (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Associated Press

Boston Celtics' Marcus Smart (36) shoots over Orlando Magic's Franz Wagner (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Associated Press

Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley shouts instructions to his players during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Associated Press

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