Celtics pull out win over Magic to stay atop conference
BOSTON -- The Celtics stayed a half-game ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference race on Friday night, but it wasn't easy.
Al Horford's two free throws with 1:22 left turned out to be the final points of the game as Boston hung on for a 117-116 victory over the Orlando Magic to cap a 5-1 homestand.
The win, the Celtics' 15th in their last 17 home games, wasn't secured until Amir Johnson contested Elfrid Payton's layup attempt as time was running out, capping a wild final minutes.
The victory kept the Celtics a half-game in front of the winning Cavaliers atop the conference. The teams meet in Boston Wednesday night.
Isaiah Thomas scored 35 points and dished out seven assists, Jae Crowder scored 18 points, rookie Jaylen Brown had 12 points and nine rebounds and Horford 12 points, nine rebounds and six assists as Boston recorded its 49th win (to go with 27 losses), one more than last year.
Aaron Gordon, a game-time decision because of a sore shoulder, scored 32 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, matching his career high, while Payton dished out a career-best 15 assists to go with 12 points and nine rebounds. Evan Fournier scored 20 points, Terrence Ross 17 and Jodie Meeks 13 as the Magic fell to 27-49 with their second straight heartbreaking loss. They fell in overtime to Russell Westbrook's historic 57-point triple-double Wednesday night.
The Celtics improved to 23-0 when leading after three quarters at home.
NOTES: Celtics G Avery Bradley was out again with a recurrence of the stomach bug that cost him a game earlier on the homestand. He is also doubtful for Sunday's game against the Knicks in New York. "He's not in the hospital, but he's not doing so hot," said coach Brad Stevens. ... Former Celtics F Jeff Green didn't make the trip and missed his fifth straight game with back spasms. ... G Isaiah Thomas, who set the Celtics' season 3-pointer record Wednesday night, extended another club record with a 3-pointer in his 51st straight game and also recorded his 51st 25- and 29th 30-point game. ... The Magic are at Brooklyn Saturday night. ... Stevens said he's been in touch with Gonzaga coach Mark Few at the Final Four. "There's no better person than Mark Few. He's a great guy and I'm really happy for him," he said.