Celtics adapted to Magic's physicality in 1st-round win. Rest is focus with Knicks or Pistons next

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics are a step closer to repeating as NBA champions. And they showed they have a path to getting there that doesn’t revolve around them just making a bunch of 3-pointers.

Boston’s 120-89 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game 5 on Tuesday night earned them a 4-1 series win and a second-round matchup with either the New York Knicks or Detroit Pistons. New York currently leads that series 3-2.

“Here in Boston, it’s about winning,” Celtics forward Jaylen Brown said. “It’s not about just getting out of the first round.”

The Celtics were solid throughout Tuesday’s win, outplaying a physical Magic team that showed why it was the best in the NBA defending against the 3-point shot that Boston thrives on. Boston was 0 for 6 from 3 in the first half before making 13 in the second half

They did it by creating opportunities via their defense and while adjusting to how Orlando employed different methods to limit them offensively. Those are two things coach Joe Mazzulla believes will be key for them moving forward.

“We’ve dealt with a variety of matchups and coverage puzzles, and we have to solve those, and so it’s the most important thing. Our guys did a great job of that,” Mazzulla said.

Tatum said adjusting their style of play is something they’re always capable of doing.

“We’re very talented. We can win a bunch of different ways,” he said.

But Boston didn’t make it out of the first round completely unscathed.

The Celtics’ health will be in the spotlight as they attempt to return to the Eastern Conference finals with Tatum and fellow starters Brown and Jrue Holiday all managing injuries.

Tatum missed Game 2 of the Magic series after suffering a bone bruise in his right wrist. The good news is he was productive over the final three games, scoring 36, 37 and 35 points. He also had his best shooting performance of the series in Game 5, going 10 for 16 from the field.

Brown missed the final three games of the regular season dealing with a right knee impingement. He began the playoffs still managing pain from the issue, but like Tatum mostly hasn’t let it hinder his impact. He had 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting in the closeout win.

Mazzulla said it’s how Brown’s played on the other end of the floor that stuck out against Orlando, though.

“His defense is back to where it was throughout the season,” Mazzulla said. “I think he’s been tremendous in all areas. ... He has the ability to take it to another level mentally and physically.”

Then there’s Holiday, whose status seems to be a lot more concerning after he missed the final three games of the series with a strained right hamstring.

“He’s day to day, just doing everything he can to come back, doing everything he can to put himself in position and be a little bit better the next day,” he said.

Boston filled in the gaps without Holiday against Orlando, starting Al Horford to give the Magic a double-big look alongside Kristaps Porzingis. NBA Sixth man of the year Payton Pritchard also stepped into Holiday’s usual role on the defensive end, while also picking up his scoring output.

“I felt like Payton all series, his ball pressure, his impact was noticeable,” Horford said.

Holiday will have a little more time to rest with their second-round series not starting until at least Sunday after the Pistons forced a Game 6 in that series.

Boston was 4-1 against New York and 3-1 against Detroit during the regular season. But it’s been a long time since the Celtics met either New York or Detroit in the postseason.

They haven’t played the Knicks since the 2013 playoffs, a 4-1 New York first-round victory that marked the end of the Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce era.

The Celtics last played the Pistons in the playoffs in 2008, beating them in the Eastern Conference finals on the way to Boston capturing its 17th NBA title.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla watches his players during the first half in game 5 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series against the Boston Celtics, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) during the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) dunks against the Orlando Magic during the first half in game 5 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown is congratulated by fans after eliminating the Orlando Magic following the second half in game 5 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates with teammate Derrick White while leading the Orlando Magic during the second half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Dallas (7-8-1) at N.Y. Giants (3-13)

Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox

BetMGM NFL Odds: Cowboys by 3 1/2

Against the spread: Cowboys 7-9; Giants 7-8-1

Series record: Dallas leads 78-47-2.

Last week: Cowboys beat Commanders 30-23; Giants beat Raiders 34-10.

Last meeting: Dallas beat Washington 40-37 in OT on Sept. 14.

Cowboys offense: overall (1), rush (9), pass (1), scoring (4)

Cowboys defense: overall (30), rush (t20), pass (32), scoring (32)

Giants offense: overall (15), rush (6), pass (21), scoring (21)

Giants defense: overall (29), rush (30), pass (20), scoring (26)

Turnover differential: Cowboys minus-8; Giants minus-3

QB Dak Prescott has a 14-game winning streak against the Giants since two of his losses in a 13-3 rookie season in 2016 came against them. It’s the second-longest winning streak against a single opponent in NFL history behind Bob Griese, who beat Buffalo 17 consecutive times from 1968-79. Prescott will get credit for a Dallas victory because he is expected to start. The question is how long he will play in a finale with no playoff implications. Either way, this will go down as one of Prescott’s best seasons. He enters the final week first in the NFL with 4,482 yards passing.

WR Wan'Dale Robinson gets to put the finishing touches on his case for a new contract, either with the team that drafted him or elsewhere. Robinson last week became the first player 5-foot-8 or shorter to eclipse 1,000 yards receiving since 5-7 Richard Johnson in 1989 and just the third since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. And he's playing against a Dallas secondary without Trevon Diggs, who was released on Tuesday.

Cowboys' offensive line vs. Giants' pass rush. New York's Brian Burns trails only Cleveland record-chasing Myles Garrett in sacks with a career-high 16 1/2, while rookie Abdul Carter has heated up with 3 1/2 over the past four games. Dallas would like to keep Prescott upright, no matter how long he plays.

Cowboys: RBs Javonte Williams (stinger) and Malik Davis (calf/eye) have been ruled out. The backs with a chance to be active have 54 career carries among them: FB Hunter Luepke (32) and rookies Jaydon Blue (22) and Phil Mafah (0). Mafah has been out all season with a shoulder injury, and is listed as questionable ... LB DeMarvion Overshown and rookie CB Shavon Revel have been dealing with concussions and won't play.

Giants: Two starters in the secondary are out: CB Cor'Dale Flott (knee) and S Jevon Holland (knee/concussion).

The Cowboys have won nine in a row against the Giants and 16 of the past 17. It's the longest active series in the league. Dallas' last winning streak this long was against Carolina from 1998-2012. ... Each team has been eliminated from playoff contention. ... The Cowboys are trying to avoid consecutive losing seasons for the first time since going 5-11 under coach Dave Campo from 2000-02. ... New York can still secure the top draft pick with a loss and Las Vegas victory against Kansas City or could drop as low as No. 7. ... This is expected to be interim coach Mike Kafka's final game with the Giants.

Cowboys WR George Pickens needs 80 yards receiving to reach 1,500 in his Dallas debut after the offseason trade from Pittsburgh. His only 1,000-yard season in three years with the Steelers came in 2023, when he had 1,140. … Ferguson needs one touchdown catch to tie the franchise tight end record of nine, held by Jason Witten and Billy Joe Dupree. … In their Week 2 game, K Brandon Aubrey had a tying 64-yard field goal on the final play of regulation and a winning 46-yarder as time expired in overtime in the 40-37 Dallas victory. ... Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart has accounted for 22 TDs (13 passing and nine rushing) with just five interceptions, in his first 11 professional starts. ... Robinson led the team with 113 yards receiving at Las Vegas. He had 142 in Week 2 at Dallas, which was before top receiver Malik Nabers was knocked out for the season with a torn ACL in his right knee. ... LB Bobby Okereke intercepted Geno Smith and had seven tackles last week. ... CB Deonte Banks returned a kickoff 95 yards for a TD against the Raiders.

Daily fantasy players might be able to cash in if Giants RB Tyrone Tracy has another big game rushing and receiving.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

FILE - Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) is sacked by Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sept. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson, File)

FILE - Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) carries the ball after reception during a NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sept. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson, File)