The Magic wants to get rid of this “loser” label

The double confrontation between Boston and Orlando and TD Garden was mission impossible for the Magic on paper. But on their way, the Floridians continued their good series by going to win two straight victories on the floor of the now ex-leader of the Eastern Conference.

Winners 117-109 in Act I, Jamahl Mosley’s men showed their strength of character by going to snatch Act II on Sunday in an undecided match until the end (95-92), certainly facilitated by the absence of Jayson Tatum.

An end to the match managed like grown-ups

For Paolo Banchero, hero of the evening with his 31 points 6/7 away, coming to win in Boston is an unmistakable sign.

“It means a lot to come here, in this environment, and win back-to-back wins against this team. It means a lot and it will count for us for the future. We know we can compete with anyone. We have to keep the same level of concentration., he confided after the game.

This double victory may indeed be a landmark in the Magic season, as a moment that marked a turning point after a very complicated start to the financial year. On this match, the young potential stars of Orlando also showed their ability to manage their emotions and the hostile context during a “money-time” which was close to the unbreathable.

On several occasions, they came close to losing everything, until that last missed 3-point shot from Grant Williams that sealed the game in their favor.

“It shows what we are capable of. That we can be there when it matters, whether it’s on the road or at home, it doesn’t matter as long as we’re all on the same page, focused on the game plan, taking possession one after another,” Banchero continues. “These last two possessions show the way we have approached the last two weeks and our seriousness. It allowed us to succeed in these last two stops. It shows all the work we’ve done. »

Eddie House stung them to the quick

In preparation for their match, the number 1 of the Draft clarified that an exit from Eddie House, a former player who passed through the Celtics now a consultant, had had the gift of motivating the locker room. The former shooter had indeed declared after the first match won by the Magic that it was still a team of losers…

“I would be lying if I told you that it did not motivate us”, he continued. “That was the thing we needed to hear, after beating them in the previous game, and playing them again right away. Sometimes you can be satisfied with that first victory, or having won one out of two. But seeing this video gave us that extra boost to do the same thing in the second game.”

To make sure the message got through and that they won’t have to take Eddie House again, four Magic players (Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz, Mo Bamba and Wendell Carter Jr) all sent the same tweet, d ‘a gif showing Rafer Alston slapping the top of Eddie House’s head during a playoff game between Orlando and Boston in 2009.

From his point of view, Paolo Banchero believes that Orlando will still have to prove on the pitch that he deserves more respect from the rest of the league. Slowly but surely, the Floridians could well achieve their ends.

“It was definitely a firestarter for some of the guys and for the team in general. We just want to earn the respect of the league. It’s clear that a lot of people don’t respect us yet, so we’re going to have to go game by game and stick to it. We will eventually win it. In the meantime, we’re going to have to keep moving forward.”