Magic Survive To Hit Back Against Celtics In Play-offs

The Orlando Magic survived a Boston Celtics fightback to halve nan shortage successful their play-off bid against nan NBA champions.

Boston levelled things up pinch 2 minutes 31 seconds remaining but consecutive scores by Franz Wagner secured a 95-93 location triumph connected Friday.

Magic now way 2-1 successful nan first information of nan Eastern Conference play-offs. The best-of-seven bid continues successful Orlando connected Sunday.

Boston led for astir of nan measurement earlier they rallied from a 12-point shortage successful nan 4th fourth to make it 91-91.

Wagner past scored connected consecutive drives complete Kristaps Porzingis to decorativeness pinch 32 points - his team's highest scorer.

Jayson Tatum returned for nan Celtics aft missing crippled 2 pinch a sore correct wrist and scored 21 points successful nan first half earlier finishing pinch a game-high 36.

LeBron James continued his return to afloat fitness pinch a game-high 38 points but was incapable to forestall nan Los Angeles Lakers losing 116-104 astatine nan Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jaden McDaniels scored 30 points and Anthony Edwards 29 arsenic nan Timberwolves vanished powerfully to return a 2-1 lead successful nan Western Conference first round.

The hosts went connected a 13-1 tally complete nan last 4 minutes 37 seconds aft nan people was tied by nan Lakers' Luka Doncic, who registered 17 points contempt playing pinch a tummy illness.

James had 13-for-21 shooting, including 3 three-pointers successful a four-possession span during nan 4th quarter.

"He was shooting it from Yucatan," said Edwards. "He was shooting it crazy."

Lakers coach JJ Redick added: "He's moving better. It seems for illustration he's getting healthier by nan day."

Minnesota are again astatine location connected Sunday, arsenic are nan Milwaukee Bucks aft winning 117-101 complete nan visiting Indiana Pacers successful nan Eastern Conference.

Indiana led by 12 early successful nan 3rd 4th but Giannis Antetokounmpo and Gary Trent Jr each scored 37 points arsenic nan Bucks fought backmost to trim their bid shortage to 2-1.

Trent Jr started successful spot of Taurean Prince and restricted Pacers defender Tyrese Haliburton to 14 points while tying a franchise play-off grounds pinch 9 three-pointers.