After a disappointing loss on Friday, the Celtics will look to bounce again as they face the Orlando Magic for Recreation 4 of the primary spherical sequence. 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 stored it shut within the first half however the Celtics pulled away with an enormous run to start out the third quarter of each video games.
Recreation 4 was very totally different. The Celtics had an enormous 2nd quarter on this recreation and took a ten level lead into halftime. Then, within the third quarter, the Magic used a full courtroom press to fluster the Celtics into missed shot and turnovers they usually scored simply 11 factors within the quarter. The Magic continued their reckless play, inflicting one other damage. Cole Anthony pulled Jaylen Brown right down to the ground inflicting him to dislocate his finger.
In NBA historical past, 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. If we’re taking a look at simply first spherical sequence, 225 groups have gone up 2 video games to 1. Of these 225 groups, 183 groups that had been up 2-1 went on to win the sequence. 42 groups that had been down 1-2 went on to win the sequence. Groups that go up 3 video games to 1, win the sequence 95.6% of the time.
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. With the loss on Friday, the Celtics and Magic are tied with 10 playoff wins for every staff. The Celtics must win this sequence as rapidly as potential to keep away from extra accidents by the hands of the reckless Magic gamers.
This might be an attention-grabbing 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 compelled turnovers per recreation. The primary recreation went the Celtics method on this class. The Celtics had simply 9 turnovers within the recreation whereas the Magic had 15. In Recreation 2, the Celtics had 10 turnovers to 7 for the Magic. In Recreation 3, the Celtics had an uncharacteristic 21 turnovers to 14 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. In Recreation 1, the Celtics had been known as for 13 fouls for the sport whereas the Magic had been known as for 17 fouls. In Recreation 2, the Celtics had been known as for 19 fouls whereas the Magic had been known as for 23. In Recreation 3, The Celtics had been known as for 20 fouls whereas the Magic had been known as for 23 fouls.
The Magic have performed very bodily and have had some very reckless performs. In Recreation 1, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope took out Jayson Tatum, who injured his wrist on the play. In Recreation 2, Goga Bitadze took out Kristaps Porzingis along with his elbow, giving him 5 stitches in his brow. In Recreation 3, Cole Anthony pulled down Jaylen Brown by the arm, dislocating his finger. The Magic have amassed 3 flagrant fouls and have brought on 3 accidents to key Celtics gamers.
Crucial statistic is 3 level taking pictures. The Celtics averaged 48.2 threes per recreation within the common season whereas the Magic restricted groups to 31.4 tried 3’s per recreation, fewest within the league. In Recreation 1, the Celtics tried 37 threes, which is 11 underneath 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. In Recreation 3, the Celtics tried a season low 27 threes and hit simply 9 whereas the Magic tried 32 threes and hit 8.
Jayson Tatum (wrist), Jaylen Brown (knee) and Jrue Vacation (hamstring) had been on the damage record main as much as Recreation 3. Tatum was uncertain and Brown and Vacation had been questionable. Simply earlier than tip off, Tatum and Brown had been declared obtainable and Vacation was listed as out. Presently, Brown is questionable for this recreation with a proper knee posterior impingement. Jrue Vacation will miss a second straight recreation as a result of a hamstring pressure. I’m guessing that Al Horford will get the beginning for Vacation and, if Brown can’t play, Sam Hauser will seemingly get one other begin.
The Magic have 2 gamers on the damage 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 damage report. After all, the Celtics haven’t been enjoying recklessly and injuring their gamers both.
Possible Celtics Starters
Grid View
PG: Derrick WhiteSG: Jaylen BrownSF: Jayson TatumPF: Al Horford C: Kristaps Porzingis
Celtics ReservesPayton PritchardNeemias QuetaBaylor ScheiermanJordan WalshLuke KornetTorrey CraigSam HauserXavier Tillman, SrJD Davison
2 Method PlayersDrew PetersonMiles Norris
Accidents/OutJrue Vacation (hamstring) outJaylen 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-Method 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 Photos
Paolo Banchero
Picture by Cole Burston/Getty Photos
Al Horford vs Paolo Banchero Banchero averaged 25.9 factors, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per recreation within the common season. He shot 45.2% from the sector 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 sector and 57.1% from past the arc. In Recreation 2 he completed with 32 factors, 9 rebounds, 7 assists and a couple of blocks whereas taking pictures 48% from the sector and 33.3% from past the arc. In Recreation 3, he completed with 29 factors, 6 rebounds, 1 help and a couple of steals whereas taking pictures 40% from the sector and 50% from past the arc.
Grid View
Jayson Tatum
Picture by Brian Babineau/NBAE through Getty Photos
Franz Wagner
Picture by Nic Antaya/Getty Photos
Jayson Tatum vs Franz WagnerWagner averaged 24.2 factors, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals per recreation within the common season. He shot 46.3% from the sector and 29.5% from past the arc. In Recreation 1, he completed with 23 factors, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and a couple of blocks whereas taking pictures 41.7% from the sector and 16.7% from past the arc. In Recreation 2, he completed with 25 factors, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and a couple of steals whereas taking pictures 50% from the sector and 14.3% from past the arc. In Recreation 3, he completed with 32 factors, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and a couple of steals whereas taking pictures 40.7% from the sector and 23.1% from past the arc.
Honorable MentionKristaps Porzingis vs Wendell Carter, JrCarter averaged 9.1 factors, 7.2 rebounds, and a couple of.0 assists per recreation within the common season. He shot 46% from the sector 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 sector 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 sector and he hit all 3 of his threes. In Recreation 3, Carter completed with 10 factors 12 rebounds, 1 assits and 1 block. He shot 50% from the sector and went 0-1 on threes. In Recreation 3 Porzingis struggled on each ends of the ground. Hopefully he can get his recreation again on observe on this one.
Keys to the GameDefense – Protection is all the time the important thing to successful and much more so within the Playoffs. The Celtics are 4th the playoffs with a defensive ranking of 106.0. The Magic are eleventh within the playoffs with a defensive ranking of 114.2. 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 robust lock down protection themselves. In Recreation 3, the Magic scored simply 95 factors, however held the Celtics to 93. Hopefully, the Magic can defend on this recreation 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 recreation. The Celtics out-rebounded the Magic 42-41 in Recreation 1. In Recreation 2, the Celtics gained the rebounding battle 46-34. In Recreation 3, the Magic out-rebounded the Celtics 42-39. They should work more durable on the boards on this one. The Celtics are 42-7 when tied or out-rebounding their opponents. The Celtics must out-work the Magic on the boards in the event that they need to win this recreation.
3 Level Capturing – Within the common season, the Celtics took essentially the most 3’s per recreation whereas the Magic allowed the fewest 3’s per recreation. 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%). In Recreation 3, the Celtics took simply 27 threes (33.3%) whereas the Magic took 32 threes (25%) The Celtics are robust to beat once they make their 3’s they usually wrestle when the three’s aren’t falling. As soon as once more, they should neutralize the Magic’s robust 3 level protection and on the identical time play robust protection towards the Magic.
Take Care of the Ball – Usually, this isn’t an issue for the Celtics as they averaged the 2nd fewest turnovers per recreation within the common season. They turned the ball over 21 instances in Recreation 3 and the Magic scored 26 factors off these turnovers. The Celtics have to remain targeted and take higher care of the basketball on this recreation. They’ve to regulate to the Magic’s full courtroom press and their swarming protection and never get rattled by it.
Everybody Step Up – The Magic have had 2 gamers carry the load for them in all 3 video games to this point with minimal assist from the remainder of the group. The Celtics often have a extra balanced assault with 2 stars main the way in which however with the remainder of the staff stepping up additionally. The Magic do not need the depth that the Celtics do, even with a starter out. The Celtics have the depth they usually want these gamers to all step up and contribute on this recreation. In Recreation 3, solely 3 gamers had been in double figures for the Celtics, Tatum, Brown and White. The Celtics want extra from the remainder of the staff on this one.
Play Sensible – The Magic have been enjoying exceedingly bodily within the 3 video games to this point. There have been 3 Celtics accidents from 3 flagrant fouls by the Magic within the 3 video games. Jaylen Brown has stated the Celtics can battle it out to see who will go to the second spherical however the Celtics mustn’t fall into that entice. The Magic have used rising physicality to masks their expertise discrepancy. The Celtics must play their recreation and battle more durable for rebounds, open photographs, higher protection, and to maintain their concentrate on enjoying higher somewhat than sinking to the Magic’s stage of thuggery.
X-Elements Highway Recreation – The Celtics are enjoying on the street. They’re dealing with distractions of journey and enjoying in an unfamiliar enviornment in entrance of hostile followers. Though, there was an enormous contingent of Celtics followers within the enviornment for Recreation 3. They should shake off these distractions and maintain their concentrate on enjoying the sport. The Celtics had been traditionally good on the street this season, going 33-8 on the street. They want to attract on that street 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. The Celtics missed Vacation in Recreation 3 however each Tatum and Brown seemed good. Coming into Recreation 4, Jaylen Brown (knee) is as soon as once more questionable and Jrue Vacation is out with a hamstring pressure. The Celtics must lock into that subsequent man up mentality and pull collectively to get a win, even when they’re lacking a starter or two.
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. Jaylen Brown challenged the refs to get management of the sport and maintain the Magic from enjoying so recklessly or there would seemingly be a battle. The officiating in Recreation 3 has been controversial as they missed some large calls down the stretch. Hopefully the refs will maintain a watch out for reckless play from the Magic on this one and the groups gained’t find yourself preventing.
Official ReportCrew Chief – Marc Davis Davis has been an official for 27 years. His residence win/loss document this yr is 34-31. He calls 48.2% of fouls towards the street staff. The Celtics are 2-3 this season and 10-5 over the previous 2 seasons with Davis calling video games. The Magic are 2-2 this yr and 4-4 during the last 2 years with Davis. Within the nameless participant ballot final yr, 4.6% stated that Davis was the most effective refs whereas 6.8% stated he was one of many worst.
Referee – Tyler Ford Ford has been a ref for 11 years. His residence win/loss document is 32-36. He calls 49.3% of fouls on the street staff. The Celtics are 2-3 this season and 6-3 during the last 2 years with Ford as a ref. The Magic are 1-4 this yr and 4-7 over the previous 2 years with Ford. Within the participant ballot, 6.8% of the gamers felt he was one of many worst refs.
Umpire – Andy Nagy Nagy has been an official for six years. His residence win/loss document is 32-34. He calls 48.8percentof fouls on the street staff. The Celtics are 3-0 this season and 6-0 during the last 2 seasons with Nagy as an official. The Magic are 1-4 this season with Nagy as an official and he didn’t name any video games for them final season.
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