After a tough defeat on the road their last time out, the Celtics look much better today on their home court. They are way out in front with a 96-76 lead over the Magic. The Celtics came into the matchup with some extra motivation after the loss they were dealt the last time these two teams faced off.

The Boston Celtics took care of business at home against the visiting Orlando Magic, cruising to a 121-94 win. Boston improves to 29-12 on the season with the result.

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

BOSTON – The Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics do battle for the second time this season Friday evening. Tipoff between the two Eastern Conference foes is at 7 p.m. ET from TD Garden. Each team will be looking to bounce back after uncharacteristic losses. But, one team will be much healthier when attempting to do so.

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."

The defending NBA Champions are back in action on Friday, Jan. 17 when the Boston Celtics host the Orlando Magic at TD Garden in Boston.

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.

Paolo Banchero’s return to the lineup for Orlando was supposed to take them from overachievers to contenders. That is a work in progress. The Magic have lost four of their last six. They lost most recently 122-93 Wednesday in Milwaukee. Boston was upset Wednesday in Toronto. The Raptors knocked off the defending champs 110-97.

Friday’s NBA schedule includes Jaylen Brown’s Boston Celtics (28-12) in a home matchup with Anthony Black and the Orlando Magic (23-19) at TD Garden. The game tips off at 7:00 PM

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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.

The Orlando Magic will face the Boston Celtics in this NBA matchup at the TD Garden on Friday, January 17th. WATCH: Magic vs Celtics Live | Stream free on Fubo