The Boston Celtics beat the Orlando Magic 113-108 on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at TD Garden, overcoming a double-digit halftime deficit behind Baylor Scheierman, who led all scorers with 30 points while adding seven rebounds and seven assists in Boston’s regular-season finale.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter
Orlando set the tone early and took a 29-20 lead after one quarter. The Magic were sharper in the opening 12 minutes, getting to their spots and building an early edge while Boston struggled to find offensive rhythm. The Celtics fell behind by nine as Orlando consistently converted enough half-court possessions to stay in control.
Second Quarter
Both teams scored 32 points in the second, allowing the Magic to carry a 61-52 advantage into halftime. Boston improved offensively, but it could not make a meaningful dent in the deficit before the break. Orlando continued to get production from Paolo Banchero, who kept the offense organized and helped the visitors maintain separation.
Third Quarter
The game turned decisively in the third. Boston outscored Orlando 42-20 in its best stretch of the night, flipping a nine-point halftime deficit into a 94-81 lead entering the fourth. The Celtics found their perimeter shooting, tightened up defensively, and pushed the tempo just enough to change the flow. Scheierman was central to that swing as Boston moved the ball more cleanly and generated higher-quality looks.
Fourth Quarter
Orlando responded with a 27-19 fourth quarter and made the final minutes competitive, but Boston did enough to hold off the rally. The Magic trimmed the margin with late scoring and continued pressure on the glass, yet the Celtics’ third-quarter cushion proved just large enough. Boston’s perfect work at the foul line also mattered late, as the home team finished 22-for-22 on free throws.
Key Performers
Boston Celtics:
Baylor Scheierman delivered the top individual scoring performance of the game with 30 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. He also gave Boston steady playmaking during the comeback. Luka Garza led the Celtics in rebounding with 12 boards, helping Boston stay competitive on possessions despite Orlando’s overall 50-46 edge on the glass.
As a team, Boston made 19 of 50 from 3-point range and shot 100 percent at the line. The Celtics finished at 41.4 percent from the field overall, but their shot profile and third-quarter execution were enough to overcome a slow start.
Orlando Magic:
Paolo Banchero paced Orlando with a 23-point, 10-rebound, 11-assist triple-double, the most complete all-around stat line of the night for the visitors. He kept the Magic settled offensively and contributed across every phase. Orlando also finished with 24 made free throws and 50 rebounds, giving itself chances to stay in front early and make the closing minutes tense.
NerdSports Stat: Boston trailed by nine at halftime, then won by five — a 14-point swing created almost entirely in the third quarter, where the Celtics outscored Orlando by 22 and nearly matched their entire first-half point total in one period.
Game Analysis
This game was defined by Boston’s ability to dramatically change efficiency after halftime. The Celtics scored only 52 points in the first two quarters, then put up 42 in the third alone. That one period reshaped the entire result.
Boston’s 3-point shooting was a major separator. The Celtics hit 19 threes to Orlando’s 12, and that plus-21 gap from long range outweighed the Magic’s advantages in rebounds and free throws made. Even though Orlando attempted more field goals and more free throws, Boston created enough scoring value from the perimeter and avoided mistakes at the stripe.
The other key factor was offensive control in the middle of the game. Scheierman gave Boston both shot creation and ball movement, and the Celtics’ 24 assists reflected better rhythm once they settled in. Orlando had its opportunities, especially after a strong first half, but the 27.9 percent mark from three-point range made it harder to answer Boston’s third-quarter surge.
Closing Context
The win sends Boston to 56-26, closing the regular season with a home record of 30-11. Orlando finishes 45-37 after a competitive road effort that nearly held up despite the third-quarter dip. With postseason positioning now set, this game offered a final snapshot of what both teams can look like when shot-making and composure become the deciding factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Boston Celtics defeated Orlando Magic 113-108 on April 12, 2026.
Baylor Scheierman scored 30 points on 41.4% shooting.
After the win, Boston Celtics sits 56-26 in the Eastern Conference.
Baylor Scheierman was the standout performer with 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists.
