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)

Arsenal ensured it will end the year top of the Premier League after beating Aston Villa 4-1 at home in a powerful statement win on Tuesday with all goals scored in the second half.

The fourth goal, scored by substitute Gabriel Jesus one minute after coming on, highlighted the depth of Arsenal's bench this season and coach Mikel Arteta jubilantly high-fived his assistants at the final whistle.

Victory moved Arsenal five points ahead of Manchester City, which plays at Sunderland on New Year's Day, and six points clear of third-place Villa.

Elsewhere, Chelsea drew 2-2 at home to Bournemouth; Newcastle won 3-1 at lowly Burnley; and Manchester United was held 1-1 at home to rock-bottom Wolverhampton.

Struggling West Ham drew 2-2 with visiting Brighton, and Everton won 2-0 at Nottingham Forest.

No Arsenal player is near the top of the scorers’ charts this season, yet sharing the goals around might just be the team’s strength.

Defender Gabriel Magalhães headed home early in the second half following a corner for set-piece specialist Arsenal, and midfielder Martín Zubimendi netted in the 52nd minute.

Winger Leandro Trossard curled in a fine third from the edge of the penalty area in the 69th and was involved in the fourth goal, curled into the same corner from almost the same spot in the 78th minute by Jesus after Arsenal had launched a superb counterattack from deep.

The win was even more impressive considering Arsenal was missing key midfielder Declan Rice with a knee injury and Villa was playing on the back of 11 straight victories in all competitions.

Gabriel nodded in from close range and was deemed not to have impeded Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez with his elbow.

Zubimendi finished confidently after captain Martin Ødegaard expertly won the ball in midfield and advanced before threading a perfect ball behind Villa’s defense.

Ollie Watkins grabbed an injury-time consolation for Villa.

Bournemouth's David Brooks netted early from close range after Chelsea failed to deal with a throw-in from the right.

Cole Palmer equalized in the 15th with a penalty awarded after a video review ruled that Antoine Semenyo’s knee had gone into the back of forward Estevão’s leg.

Midfielder Enzo Fernández gave Chelsea the lead midway through the first half, but Chelsea gifted Bournemouth an equalizer when a defender headed on a throw-in from the left and Justin Kluivert scored at the back post for 2-2.

Chelsea is fifth and level on 30 points with United in sixth.

Manchester United led through Joshua Zirkzee’s deflected strike in the 27th but Ladislav Krejčí equalized close to halftime for Wolves with a powerful downward header.

It was Wolves manager Rob Edwards' first point since taking charge in November.

Patrick Dorgu’s injury-time goal for United was ruled out for offside by VAR.

Yoane Wissa grabbed his first league goal since joining from Brentford as Newcastle moved into 10th spot.

Newcastle was 2-0 up inside seven minutes with Joelinton being set up from the left wing by Anthony Gordon and Wissa bundling in from close range following a goalmouth scramble.

Josh Laurent pulled a goal back for Burnley midway through the first half. Newcastle survived nervy moments before Bruno Guimarães sealed the win with an expert lob in stoppage time.

Next-to-last Burnley is two points behind West Ham in 18th.

Everton netted in the 19th when James Garner drilled in a low finish after being set up down the right by Dwight McNeil.

Garner then turned neatly in midfield before feeding Thierno Barry with a defense-splitting pass to make it 2-0 against Forest in the 79th.

West Ham took an early lead against Brighton when striker Jarrod Bowen latched onto Lucas Paquetá’s exquisite through ball from halfway and struck a low shot into the bottom corner.

Veteran forward Danny Welbeck equalized for Brighton from the penalty spot for his eighth goal of the season, and then hit the crossbar with a Panenka-style chipped penalty later in the first half.

Paquetá converted his spot kick with a staggered run-up in first-half injury time, but Joël Veltman equalized for Brighton in the 61st following a corner.

Defending champion Liverpool hosts Leeds on Thursday.

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

Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee celebrates after he scored the opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Chelsea's Joao Pedro, top, helps Wesley Fofana stand up after the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Bournemouth in London, England, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Arsenal's Gabriel, left, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Aston Villa in London, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP photo/Alastair Grant)

Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Aston Villa in London, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP photo/Alastair Grant)

Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Aston Villa in London, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP photo/Alastair Grant)