The sequence now strikes to Orlando for Recreation 3. The Celtics gained Recreation 1 103-86 in Boston on Sunday with a full roster. They gained Recreation 2 109-100 on Wednesday, additionally in Boston, however with out Jayson Tatum. In each video games, the Magic saved it shut within the first half however the Celtics pulled away with an enormous run to begin the third quarter of each video games
In NBA historical past, 452 groups have gone up 2-0 in a playoff sequence. This contains each 5 sport and seven sport sequence. Of the 452 groups that had been down 0-2, solely 33 groups have come again to win the sequence. 587 groups have held a 2-1 sequence lead. Of these groups that had been down 1-2, 117 of them went on to win the sequence.
There have been 154 groups which have gone up 3-0 in a 7 sport sequence. Of the groups that had been down 0-3, not a single one in all them was in a position to go on to win the sequence. So, this workforce is essential for each groups. In 2023, the 2nd seed Celtics had been down 0-3 to the eighth seed Miami Warmth. The Celtics took the sequence to 7 video games however misplaced that seventh sport.
That is the fourth time these two groups have met within the playoffs and the primary time since 2010, when the Celtics gained the Jap Convention Finals 4-2. Charlotte and Brooklyn are the opposite two groups. With the win on Wednesday the Celtics lead all time with 10 playoff wins to 9 for the Magic.
This might be an fascinating matchup as illustrated by a number of statistics. The Celtics common the 2nd fewest turnovers (11.9) whereas the Magic are 2nd with 16.2 pressured turnovers per sport. The primary sport went the Celtics manner on this class. The Celtics had simply 9 turnovers within the sport whereas the Magic had 15. In Recreation 2, the Celtics had 10 turnovers to 7 for the Magic.
The Celtics are first in fewest taking pictures fouls dedicated whereas the Magic draw the 2nd most taking pictures fouls per 100 possessions. The Celtics had been referred to as for 13 private fouls for the sport whereas the Magic had been referred to as for 17 private fouls. In Recreation 2, the Celtics had been referred to as for 19 fouls whereas the Magic had been referred to as for 23. The Magic have performed very bodily and had some very reckless performs. In Recreation 1, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope took out Jayson Tatum, who injured his wrist on the play and in Recreation 2, Goga Bitadze took out Kristaps Porzingis along with his elbow, giving him 5 stitches in his brow.
Crucial statistic is 3 level taking pictures. The Celtics averaged 48.2 threes per sport within the common season whereas the Magic restricted groups to 31.4 tried 3’s per sport, fewest within the league. In Recreation 1, the Celtics tried 37 threes, which is 11 below their season common. They made 18 of these. The Magic took simply 27 threes and made simply 10. In Recreation 2, The Celtics as soon as once more tried 37 threes and made 12, whereas the Magic tried 29 and made simply 7.
Jayson Tatum went into Recreation 1 wholesome however because of a reckless play by the Magic as he went up for a dunk, he’s listed as uncertain for the second straight sport and his remaining standing might be a sport time resolution. He has a extreme bone bruise and hasn’t been dominated out however the uncertain designation doesn’t give lots of hope. I’m guessing that Al Horford will as soon as once more get the beginning if he can’t play.
Kristaps Porzingis left Recreation 2 with a gash in his brow, because of a reckless Goga Bitadze elbow. He shot the two free throws with blood by way of his hair and on his nostril. He left the sport and received 5 stitches within the locker room and got here again in to complete the sport. He’s not on the harm record. Jrue Vacation is on the harm report on account of a hamstring pressure. He’s questionable for this sport. If he can’t play, I’m guessing that Sam Hauser will get the beginning in his place.
A late addition to the harm report is Jaylen Brown on account of proper knee posterior impingement, the identical harm that saved him out of the final 3 video games of the common season. He has seemed good within the first 2 video games towards the Magic, though he has lacked a few of his typical explosiveness at occasions. It’s unclear whether or not he’s having extra issues with the knee or in the event that they anticipate Tatum and Vacation to be out and determine they might give him a relaxation day as properly. i might guess that Payton Pritchard will begin if all 3 are out. The keep prepared group actually must be prepared for this sport.
The Magic have 2 gamers on the harm record however they’ve been out long run for them and each will miss the playoffs. Jalen Suggs has been out since March 4 after present process profitable arthroscopic surgical procedure to take away a cartilage fragment in his left knee. Moritz Wagner has been out since January 9 when he tore the ACL in his left knee. Aside from these two, the Magic have a transparent harm report. After all, the Celtics haven’t been taking part in recklessly and injuring their gamers both.
Possible Celtics Starters
Grid View
PG: Jrue HolidaySG: Derrick WhiteSF: Jaylen BrownPF: Al Horford C: Kristaps Porzingis
Celtics ReservesPayton PritchardNeemias QuetaBaylor ScheiermanJordan WalshLuke KornetTorrey CraigSam HauserXavier Tillman, SrJD Davison
2 Manner PlayersDrew PetersonMiles Norris
Accidents/OutJayson Tatum (wrist) doubtfulJrue Vacation (hamstring) questionable Jaylen Brown (knee) questionable
Head CoachJoe Mazzulla
Possible Magic Starters
Grid View
PG: Cory JosephSG: Kentavious Caldwell-PopeSF: Franz WagnerPF: Paolo Banchero C: Wendell Carter, Jr
Magic ReservesCole AnthonyGoga BitadzeAnthony BlackTristan DaSilvaGary HarrisCaleb HoustanJett HowardJonathan Isaac
2-Manner Gamers Mac McClungTrevelin Queen Ethan Thompson
Accidents/OutMoritz Wagner (knee) out Jalen Suggs (knee) out
Head Coach Jamahl Mosley
Key Matchups
Grid View
Al Horford
Picture by Brian Fluharty/Getty Pictures
Paolo Banchero
Picture by Cole Burston/Getty Pictures
Al Horford vs Paolo Banchero Banchero averaged 25.9 factors, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per sport within the common season. He shot 45.2% from the sphere and 32.0% from past the arc. In Recreation 1, he completed with 36 factors, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. He shot 51.9% from the sphere and 57.1% from past the arc. In Recreation 2 he completed with 32 factors, 9 rebounds, 7 assists and a pair of blocks whereas taking pictures 48% from the sphere and 33.3% from past the arc. The Celtics have to attempt to defend him higher on this one.
Grid View
Jaylen Brown
Picture by Brian Babineau/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures
Franz Wagner
Picture by Nic Antaya/Getty Pictures
Jaylen Brown vs Franz WagnerWagner averaged 24.2 factors, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals per sport within the common season. He shot 46.3% from the sphere and 29.5% from past the arc. In Recreation 1, he completed with 23 factors, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and a pair of blocks. He shot 41.7% from the sphere and 16.7% from past the arc. In Recreation 2, he completed with 25 factors, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and a pair of steals whereas taking pictures 50% from the sphere and 14.3% from past the arc. He’s very able to having an enormous sport and the Celtics have to defend him properly.
Honorable MentionKristaps Porzingis vs Wendell Carter, JrCarter averaged 9.1 factors, 7.2 rebounds, and a pair of.0 assists per sport within the common season. He shot 46% from the sphere and 23.4% from past the arc. In Recreation 1, he completed with 4 factors and 13 rebounds whereas taking pictures 33.3% from the sphere and went 1-1 from past the arc. In Recreation 2, he completed with 16 factors, 8 rebounds and 1 help whereas taking pictures 75% from the sphere and he hit all 3 of his threes. Hopefully Porzingis avenges these stitches and has an enormous sport on each ends of the court docket on this one.
Keys to the GameDefense – Protection is all the time the important thing to profitable and much more so within the Playoffs. The Celtics are 4th the playoffs with a defensive score of 106.3. The Magic are 14th within the playoffs with a defensive score of 120.5. The Celtics scored simply 103 factors in Recreation 1 however they held the Magic to simply 86 factors. In Recreation 2, the Magic scored 100 factors. The Magic have good defenders and so if the Celtics hope to beat them, they want match Orlando’s defensive depth and to play powerful lock down protection themselves. Hopefully, the Magic can defend on this sport with out injuring one other Celtic.
Rebound – As Pat Riley as soon as stated, “No rebounds, no rings.” A lot of rebounding is effort and hustle and if the Celtics put the additional effort into grabbing rebounds, it often interprets to the remainder of their sport. The Celtics out-rebounded the Magic 42-41 in Recreation 1. In Recreation 2, the Celtics gained the rebounding battle 46-34. They should work even tougher on the boards on this one. The Celtics are 42-7 when tied or out-rebounding their opponents. The Celtics have to out-work the Magic on the boards in the event that they need to win this sport.
3 Level Taking pictures – Within the common season, the Celtics took essentially the most 3’s per sport whereas the Magic allowed the fewest 3’s per sport. Within the 3 video games this season, the Magic held the Celtics to 11.3 fewer 3 level makes an attempt than their common. In Recreation 1, the Celtics took 37 threes (43.2%) whereas the Magic took 27 threes (37%) In Recreation 2, the Celtics took 37 threes (37%) whereas the Magic took 29 threes (24.2%). The Celtics are powerful to beat after they make their 3’s they usually wrestle when the three’s aren’t falling. As soon as once more, they need to neutralize the Magic’s powerful 3 level protection and on the identical time play powerful protection towards the Magic.
Effort and Desperation – The Magic know that in the event that they go down 0-3, they’re just about doomed to lose the sequence. They’re going to be determined and can seemingly play much more recklessly than they’ve been. The Celtics know that if they’ll win this sport and go up 3-0, it places them in a very good place to win the sequence. The Celtics want to present most effort on this one, particularly if Vacation and Tatum can’t play.
X-Components Street Recreation – The Celtics are taking part in on the highway. They’re going through distractions of journey and taking part in in an unfamiliar enviornment in entrance of hostile followers. Though, the final time the Celtics performed in Orlando, there was an enormous contingent of Celtics followers within the enviornment. They should shake off these distractions and preserve their give attention to taking part in the sport. The Celtics had been traditionally good on the highway this season, going 33-8 on the highway for the season. They want to attract on that highway warrior mindset to assist them get a win on this one.
Accidents – Aside from Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics had been largely wholesome throughout final yr’s playoffs. They got here into Recreation 1 wholesome with simply minor questions on Jaylen Brown and Jrue Vacation. The Celtics gained with out Jayson Tatum in Recreation 2 and Jaylen Brown dispelled any questions on his well being. Coming into Recreation 3, Jayson Tatum is as soon as once more uncertain. Jrue Vacation is questionable with a hamstring pressure. The Celtics have to lock into that subsequent man up mentality and pull collectively to get a win, even when they’re lacking 2 starters.
Officiating – Officiating can all the time be an X-Issue. In some video games, you don’t even discover the referees and in different video games, they appear to make the sport all about them. Some crews name the sport tight and others let the groups play. Some crews favor one of many groups whereas others name it pretty. Regardless of how the sport known as, the Celtics should regulate and never permit the officiating to remove from their focus. Hopefully the refs are maintaining a watch out for reckless play from the Magic on this one.
Official Report Crew Chief – David Guthrie The Celtics had been 1-0 with Guthrie this season. He calls 53.2% of fouls on the highway workforce. His residence win/loss file is 23-15.
Referee – Courtney Kirkland The Celtics had been 2-1 with Kirkland this season. He calls 47.8% of fouls on the highway teamHis residence win/loss file is 31-33.
Umpire – Tre Maddox The Celtics are 2-1 with Maddox this season. He calls 50.6% of fouls on the highway workforce. His residence win/loss file this season is 26-31.
And ensure to take a look at CelticsBlog’s Playback stream for a stay dialog concerning the sport. To take part, simply create a free account, join your LP sub if in case you have it, and be part of our neighborhood.
