Jayson Tatum scored 30 points and the Boston Celtics ran past the Orlando Magic 121-94. With freshman star Cooper Flagg and his Duke teammates in the stands, Tatum, a former Blue Devils standout, went 12 of 21 from the floor to help Boston break out of a recent shooting slump.

After Wednesday's loss at Milwaukee, Magic players pointed to an atypical lack of energy at the root of the rout. At Friday's shootaround, second-year guard Anthony Black said games like this one with the Celtics are the ones "hoopers get up for."

Boston took advantage of a undermanned Magic squad, missing four rotation players with a dominant offensive effort from all areas of the floor. The Celtics shot a red-hot 61 percent from the field before intermission, helping them build a 12-point halftime lead.

The Celtics made 17 3-pointers against the Magic on Friday night. Orlando ended with just 5. The long-range game was the difference.

It was a big game for the Celtics’ stars. Jayson Tatum scored 30 points, Kristaps Porzingis scored 23, and Jaylen Brown had 20.

Will All-Defensive Second Team Orlando Magic point guard Jalen Suggs hit the hardwood on Friday in a rematch against the Boston Celtics? More Celtics: Boston St

The defending NBA Champions are on the second half of a back-to-back on Saturday, Jan. 18 when the Atlanta Hawks visit the Boston Celtics at TD Garden in Boston.

Jayson Tatum scored 30 points as the Boston Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic 121-94 on Friday night. Tatum, a former star at Duke, impressed in front of freshman standout Cooper Flagg and his Duke teammates,

The Orlando Magic faced the Boston Celtics again on Friday. A win by the Magic would give them the season series for just the third time in the last 10 years against the Celtics.

Jaylen Brown added 20.Cole Anthony led Orlando with 23 points, and Paolo Banchero scored 21. Jayson Tatum scored 30 points and the Boston Celtics ran past the Orlando Magic 121-94 on Friday night.

Los Angeles looks to prolong its three-game home win streak with a victory against Boston. The teams square off Thursday for the first time this season.

While the NBA and its fans are focused on the upcoming trade deadline, the games keep coming — and the best keep separating themselves from the rest. 1. Oklahoma City Thunder (35-7, Last Week No. 2).