Returning from a trying “road trip” in the West, with two major setbacks against the Warriors and the Clippers, the Celtics thought quietly of resuming at home with the arrival of the Magic. Certainly the teammates of Paolo Banchero remained on four victories in a row, but Boston found Robert Williams III. And yet, it is indeed Orlando who signs the feat of the evening, winning 117-109 at TD Garden. A deserved success since the Magic took control at the end of the 1st quarter and never let them go.
It’s Banchero who leads the way by planting 10 points in four minutes. The Magic signs a 15-4 to finish the quarter, and go ahead (32-28). Franz Wagner takes over, and Orlando flirts with a 10-point lead. The Celtics’ lack of aggressiveness is obvious, and the Magic can count on Kevon Harris to join the locker room with an eight-point lead (62-54).
Back from the locker room, the Wagner brothers sign their team’s first 11 points, and the Magic takes off (73-56). Markell Fultz even increases the gap to +19. The furious dunks of Jaylen Brown and Robert Williams wake up their teammates and the room, and Boston picks up the score (88-81).
Cole Anthony breathes new life into the Magic, supported by Franz Wagner, and the Celtics find themselves 14 points behind with eight minutes remaining. Mo Bamba takes control of the racquet, then Fultz drives the point home with six straight points (110-96). Jaylen Brown tries everything, but Banchero answers him at 3-points to validate this amazing victory for the Magic (117-109).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
The Celtics’ lack of aggression. We do not know if they were asleep by this return of “road trip” but the Celtics lacked punch in the first quarter with no shots fired and six rebounds dropped at the Magic. This is what allowed the Orlando players to gain confidence, and to impose their rhythm.
The Magic’s tall ball. While the trend remains small ball in the NBA, the Magic showed up with a big five with Markelle Fultz at the lead, the Wagner brothers on the wings, and the Banchero-Bol doublet under the panels. Consequence: a big domination under the panels (53 rebounds to 38), and a lot of second chance shots.
Ongoing series. The Magic won for the 5th time in a row. The last time they had won five matches in a row was when they resumed in the “bubble” in the summer of 2020. A good series that allows them to come back to a victory over the Bulls and the Wizards.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅The Wagner brothers. Their complicity is matched only by their complementarity. They speak the same basketball, and the Celtics defense struggled to contain them. Their start to the second half is remarkable.
✅ Paolo Banchero. He was strong in front of him, and we appreciated his calm and his leadership. His 3-point in the “money time” to meet Jaylen Brown validates the victory of the Magic.
✅ Markelle Fultz. These small mid-distance shots hurt in the last quarter, and we will also remember his defense and his desire to project himself forward.
✅⛔Jaylen Brown. Between Jayson Tatum and him, difficult to choose, but Brown appeared more aggressive, like this big firecracker on the head of Bol Bol. He was also the most dangerous by far as the Celtics had a 3-point nightmare night. On the other hand, his seven stray balls are expensive.
⛔ Al Horford. A nasty nudge in the parts of Mo Wagner sent him straight back to the locker room. A useless and voluntary gesture, no doubt out of frustration as the Wagner Brothers walked on water at the start of the 2nd half.
THE FOLLOWING
Boston (22-8) and Orlando (10-20): The two teams meet on Sunday.
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