Evan Turner scored 16 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter and the Boston Celtics overcame an 11-point deficit to beat the Orlando Magic 95-88 on Friday night.
Turner scored 24 points in the second half to help the Celtics win their third straight and fifth in six games. They also extended Orlando’s road losing streak to 10.
Phil Pressey had 10 points and 10 assists, and Kelly Olynyk added 13 for the Celtics.
Elfrid Payton scored 20 points for Orlando, and Nikola Vucevic had 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Magic led by 11 in the third quarter, but couldn’t overcome woeful free-throw shooting and turnovers. Orlando was 5 of 14 from the foul line in the third quarter and 14 of 28 overall.
Turner led Boston on a 12-2 run late in the fourth, scoring nine and giving the Celtics their first lead since the second quarter on a three-point play with 2:33 left. Turner lost control of the ball while driving the lane, but reached behind his back and grabbed it and hit a runner while drawing a foul.
The free throw shot put Boston up 85-83 and Turner added two more jumpers after Orlando briefly tied it.
The Magic had their chances, especially in the third quarter.
Harris hit a long jumper just before the buzzer to put the Magic up 50-40 at halftime. Orlando had several chances to pull away in the third but missed six straight foul shots, including three consecutive opportunities for a three-point play. Payton snapped the slide while going 1 for 3 after being fouled on a 3-pointer with 55 seconds left.
Boston failed to take advantage until the fourth, when Turner took over for Boston. Turner and Bradley hit back-to-back 3-pointers, then Turner added a jumper to tie it 79l with 5:22 left.
TIP-INS
Magic: Orlando’s road woes date more than two months, last winning in Chicago on Jan. 12. … Two the Magic’s 21 victories this season were against Boston, including a 103-98 victory Sunday in Orlando. … The Magic opened the game on an 18-8 run and led 23-19 after the first quarter.
Celtics: Boston improved to 17-16 at home, the Celtics’ first winning record at home since they were 2-1. … Turner added four assists and five rebounds. … C Tyler Zeller was called for a flagrant foul on Vucevic in the second quarter. Officials reviewed video of the play before ruling it was a flagrant-1 and Zeller was allowed to remain in the game.
UP NEXT
Magic: Host Cleveland on Sunday night.
Celtics: At Indiana on Saturday night.