Everything came together for the Celtics in a much-needed bounceback win over the Magic.<\/p>\n
BOSTON<\/strong> \u2014 Fresh off of what was likely their worst loss of the season \u2014 a 13-point stinker to the 10-31 Raptors \u2014 the Celtics looked to get back on track at home against the shorthanded Orlando Magic. And, from the jump, the Celtics looked like a completely different team than Wednesday\u2019s, jumping out to a 7-point first-quarter lead that they only further extended every quarter.<\/p>\n Each quarter was characterized by a different Celtic \u2014 in the first, it was Kristaps Porzingis who led the way with 11 points. The second quarter was all Jayson Tatum, who recorded 15 points in the period. And, by the third quarter, Jaylen Brown caught a rhythm, finishing with 13 points in third on 8-8 from the free throw line.<\/p>\n Here are five observations about the 121-94 win from TD Garden. <\/em><\/p>\n The outside world \u2014 the fans, the media, the pundits \u2014 has been dissecting each possible explanation for the Celtics\u2019 recent lackluster play. Entering Friday, the Celtics had dropped 7 of their previous 14 games, a stretch that included losses to the Raptors, Kings, Bulls, and 76ers.<\/p>\n But, while spectators searched for answers, the Celtics themselves have seemed to simply accept that lulls happen.<\/p>\n At shootaround Friday, Jrue Holiday shrugged when asked why he thought the Celtics were struggling.<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes you just go through it,\u201d Holiday said. \u201cI\u2019m pretty sure people in life just go through it \u2014 you\u2019re not really sure what it is. You try to stay as consistent as possible, doing the right things, and eventually that will carry out in a good way.\u201d<\/p>\nJoe Mazzulla and the Celtics remained calm through the team\u2019s recent skid <\/strong><\/h3>\n