The Boston Celtics shrugged off the absence of Jayson Tatum and a bloodied Kristaps Porzingis to edge past the Orlando Magic 109-100 and take a 2-0 lead in their first-round NBA playoff series on Wednesday.
Jaylen Brown led the way with 36 points, while Porzingis, despite suffering a head gash from an elbow, added 20 points and 10 rebounds.
The Latvian center returned after receiving five stitches to help Boston close out a physical contest at TD Garden.
Boston played without star forward Tatum for the first time in his playoff career due to a wrist injury, but the Celtics responded with grit, taking control in the second half and never allowing Orlando to get closer than five points in the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile in Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell exploded for 17 of his 30 points in the final quarter to steer the Cavaliers past Miami 121-112.
The Heat had cut a 19-point deficit to just two before Mitchell’s late scoring spree sealed the win.
Tyler Herro poured in 33 for Miami, but the Cavs, backed by strong support from Darius Garland (21 points) and Evan Mobley (20), head to South Beach with a 2-0 series cushion.
Game three of both series takes place this weekend, with Boston traveling to Orlando on Friday and Cleveland facing a fired-up Heat crowd on Saturday.
