The highway to Banner 19 begins Sunday at 3:30 p.m. when the Orlando Magic come to TD Backyard for the opening spherical of the NBA Playoffs. The final time these two groups confronted one another within the playoffs was 15 years in the past within the 2010 Japanese Convention Finals.
Though they’re the seventh seed in these playoffs, the Magic have had Boston’s quantity within the common season. The 2 groups squared off 3 times with Orlando successful two of the three matchups.
The primary matchup of the 2024-25 season was again on December 23. The Magic received the sport 108-104. On this sport, proper earlier than tip-off, Jayson Tatum was placed on the harm record earlier than being dominated out at halftime. Al Horford began the sport rather than Tatum and Jayson by no means acquired on the ground.
The Magic have been additionally lacking key gamers as each Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner missed the competition.
Jaylen Brown led the way in which for Boston scoring 35 factors, serving to the workforce get out to a 15-point lead by halftime. Sadly, the Magic locked in defensively and went on a 9-1 run to start out the second half to get again into the sport.
One other loopy sequence for the Celtics: Jaylen Brown with the 2 handed slam, Jrue Vacation will get one other steal, and Jaylen Brown finally ends up with the ball to attain once more. pic.twitter.com/pN0jpBwFQw
— Danielle Hobeika (@DanielleHobeika) December 24, 2024
The Magic tied the sport at 79 to finish the third quarter. The Magic had all of the momentum, because of Boston capturing simply 26.3% from the sphere and going 2-for-9 from three with seven turnovers.
The groups acquired right into a little bit of a scuffle when Kristaps Porzingis sized up Jalen Suggs after which acquired into it with Goga Bitadze.
With underneath a minute left the Celtics had an opportunity to take the lead however Al Horford missed a nook three which led to the Magic scoring on their subsequent possession to guard dwelling courtroom and stroll away with the win.
The second matchup was on January 17 in Boston the place the Celtics took care of Orlando 121-94.
The Magic have been nonetheless with out Wagner and have been lacking Suggs, Goga, Gary Harris, and Jett Howard, however Banchero was again. For Boston, it had all of their stars again within the lineup.
Tatum (30 factors), Brown (20), and Porzingis (23) mixed for 73 en path to a win over Orlando.
This sport confirmed what occurs when Boston’s Huge Three are lighting it up. Though the Magic have been depleted, it appeared from the opening tip that it was at all times going to favor Boston.
Eight Celtics hit threes and 5 of them linked on a number of threes. It was the epitome of the Joe Mazzulla offense the place every part is clicking from inside to out.
Much like the primary assembly between the 2 groups, it’s laborious to take a lot from this sport contemplating what number of gamers have been out for Orlando.
The third assembly got here simply this month in Orlando the place the Magic beat Boston by 20, 96-76. Once more on this sport, identical to all of the others, key gamers have been lacking. Boston was with out Brown, White, Porzingis, Horford, Vacation, and Tatum so this sport shouldn’t be scrutinized as Mazzulla gave the likes of Baylor Scheierman, Torrey Craig, Miles Norris, JD Davison, and many others. an prolonged run.
The rookie, Scheierman, regarded good within the sport, posting 15 factors and 5 rebounds.
The Magic have been led by Wagner who netted 23 factors and Cole Anthony with 18.
There isn’t a lot to go off of the common season matchups as each groups had guys out every time they performed one another. The Magic did properly in opposition to Cleveland final season pushing them to seven video games in order that they’ll be up for a battle. Hopefully, Boston’s offense is an excessive amount of for Orlando. Now each groups so we’ll see how they match up with each other starting this Sunday.
