NBA: Baylor Scheierman, Celtics top Magic, enter playoffs on winning note

Baylor Scheierman scored a career-high 30 points to lead the Boston Celtics to a 113-108 win over the visiting Orlando Magic on Sunday in the final regular-season game for both teams.

The Celtics (56-26), who had already clinched the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, rested eight players, including most of their top scorers. Boston is set to open the playoffs against either the Orlando Magic or the Philadelphia 76ers, depending on the outcome of the play-in tournament.

Orlando (45-37) saw its five-game winning streak snapped after struggling to close out the season strong on the road, despite having won three straight away games prior to Sunday’s loss. The Magic will enter the play-in tournament as the No. 8 seed and will visit the No. 7 seed 76ers on Wednesday. The winner advances to face Boston, while the loser will host the winner of the 9-10 matchup for the final playoff spot.

Boston used a heavily rotated lineup featuring Ron Harper Jr., Max Shulga, Jordan Walsh, Luka Garza, and Scheierman as starters. Despite the changes, the Celtics stayed competitive throughout the game and delivered a strong second-half push.

Luka Garza and Ron Harper Jr. led Boston with 27 points each, while Scheierman’s scoring outburst highlighted the team’s depth. Garza knocked down a key three-pointer to give Boston a 111-108 lead with 31 seconds remaining, before Walsh sealed the victory by hitting two free throws after a missed Orlando attempt. Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs each scored 23 points to pace the Magic. -Field Level Media/Reuters