Boston Celtics (35-12) at Orlando Magic (17-29) Sport #48 1/23/23

The Celtics proceed their street journey as they go to the Orlando Magic. That is the 4th and last recreation between these two groups this season. The Celtics received the primary recreation 126-120 on 10/22 in Orlando. The Magic then got here into Boston and beat the Celtics in consecutive video games 117-109 on 12/16 and 95-92 on 12/18.

That is the primary of again to again video games for the Celtics. They’re 6-1 general on the primary night time of again to again video games and they’re 2-1 when the sport is on the street. The Magic are enjoying within the first of a 2 recreation house stand. The Celtics are enjoying within the 2nd recreation of a 3 recreation street journey. They beat the Raptors on Saturday within the first recreation of the street journey and can play Miami on the second night time of again to again video games on Tuesday.

The Celtics are 1st within the East. They’re 4.5 video games forward of 2nd place Philadelphia and 5.5 video games forward of third place Milwaukee and 4th place Brooklyn. The Celtics are 17-7 on the street and 9-1 of their final video games. They’re 20-8 towards Jap Convention opponents. They’ve received 9 straight video games.

The Magic are thirteenth within the East. They’re 3 video games behind twelfth place Toronto and 4.5 video games behind tenth place Chicago and the ultimate play in spot. They’re 4.5 video games forward of 14th place Charlotte. They’re 11-12 at house and 4-6 of their final 10 video games. They’re 7-19 towards Jap Convention groups. They misplaced their final recreation and 4 of their final 6.

Jayson Tatum (wrist) missed the Celtics recreation in Toronto on Saturday, however he’s not on the present damage checklist and may play. Robert Williams (knee) is listed as questionable however he’ll doubtless miss this recreation as it’s the first of again to again video games. He shall be a recreation time determination. Marcus Sensible (ankle) and Malcolm Brogdon (private) are each listed as out. I’m guessing that Derrick White will begin on the level and that Grant Williams will fill in for Rob Williams.

For the Magic, Chuma Okeke is out with a knee damage. Jonathan Isaac is listed as questionable however is predicted to make his season debut on this recreation. He final performed on August 2, 2020 and h as been rehabbing from each ACL and hamstring surgical procedures. He has performed in 3 G-League video games for the Lakeland Magic and is probably going able to return to the Magic on this recreation.

Possible Celtics Starters

Grid View

PG: Derrick White
SG: Jaylen Brown
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Grant Williams
C: Al Horford

Celtics Reserves
Malcolm Brogdon
Grant Williams
Sam Hauser
Payton Pritchard
Luke Kornet
Blake Griffin
Justin Jackson

2 Means Gamers
JD Davison
Mfiondu Kabengele

Out/Accidents
Danilo Gallinari (ACL) out
Robert Williams III (knee) questionable
Marcus Sensible (ankle) out
Malcolm Brogdon (private)

Head Coach (Interim)
Joe Mazzulla

Possible Magic Starters

Grid View

PG: Markelle Fultz
SG: Gary Harris
SF: Franz Wagner
PF: Paolo Banchero
C: Wendell Carter, Jr.

Magic Reserves
Cole Anthony
Mo Bamba
Bol Bol
RJ Hampton
Caleb Houston
Terrance Ross
Jalen Suggs
Moritz Wagner

2 Means Gamers
Kevon Harris
Admiral Schofield

Out/Accidents
Jonathan Isaac (knee) questionable
Chuma Okeke (knee) out

Head Coach
Jamahl Mosley

Key Matchups

Grid View

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  Grant Williams
  
  
  Photograph by Tom Pennington/Getty Pictures
  
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  Paolo Banchero
  
  
  Photograph by Cole Burston/Getty Pictures
  

Grant Williams vs Paolo Banchero
Banchero was the #1 decide on this season’s draft and is a candidate for Rookie of the Yr. He’s averaging 20.7 factors, 6.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.0 steals per recreation. He’s taking pictures 43.7% from the sphere and 31.1% from past the arc. In opposition to Boston this season, he’s averaging 24.7 factors, 5.3 rebounds and three.7 assists. He shot 37.7% from the sphere and 55% on 3’s towards the Celtics.

Grid View

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  Jayson Tatum
  
  
  Photograph by Maddie Meyer/Getty Pictures
  
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  Franz Wagner
  
  
  Photograph by Nic Antaya/Getty Pictures
  

Jayson Tatum vs Franz Wagner
Wagner is averaging 20.5 factors, 3.9 rebounds, and three.4 assists per recreation. He’s taking pictures 49.2% from the sphere and 37.1% from past the arc. In opposition to the Celtics this season, he averaged 16.3 factors, 5.0 rebounds, and a pair of.3 assists within the 3 video games. He shot 37.3% from the sphere and 22.2% from past the arc.

Honorable Point out
Al Horford vs Wendell Carter, Jr
Carter is averaging 15.1 factors, 8.6 rebounds and a pair of.8 assists per recreation. He’s taking pictures 51.2% from the sphere and 35.2% from past the arc. He missed the 2 video games in Boston however completed the primary recreation in Orlando with 15 factors, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. He shot 46.2% from the sphere and 100% on 3’s. I’m guessing that Al will begin at middle on this recreation after which relaxation towards the Warmth whereas Rob rests towards the Magic and can play towards the Warmth.

Keys to the Sport
Protection – I can’t say it sufficient, however protection is at all times the important thing to successful. In case you take a look at the most effective groups within the league, they’re at all times on the prime of the league in protection. The Celtics have climbed to fifth within the league with a defensive ranking of 110.8. The Magic are twenty fourth with a defensive ranking of 114.8. Hopefully the Celtics can nonetheless play robust protection with their 2 finest defenders out for this recreation.

Rebound – Rebounding can also be essential if a group needs to win video games. You’ll be able to’t rating in the event you don’t have the ball and the easiest way to get the ball is to seize rebounds and provides themselves additional possessions. A lot of rebounding is effort and hustle and if the Celtics put the additional effort into grabbing rebounds, they normally present effort in all components of the sport.

Play Arduous 48 Minutes – The Celtics have to come back out robust proper from the start and proceed to to play arduous till the ultimate buzzer. The Celtics at one time received video games as a result of they performed tougher than their opponents however this season, together with the 2 Magic video games in Boston, the Celtics have allowed different groups to play tougher than them. The Celtics must keep away from let downs and play tougher than the Magic for all 48 minutes.

Don’t Underestimate the Magic – The Magic might solely be 17-29 however they’ve received some video games over some good groups together with 2 wins over the Celtics . The Celtics can’t come into this recreation and assume they will win with out giving 100% effort as a result of the Magic might shock them and are available away with one other win over them in the event that they do.

Subsequent Man Up – The Celtics shall be with out Marcus Sensible and Malcolm Brogdon for this recreation. They may even doubtless be with out Robert Williams who could also be out for damage administration for the primary of again to again video games. In opposition to the Raptors, the reserves got here via to make up for the absences of Sensible, White, Timelord and Tatum. They as soon as once more must dig deep and play arduous to make up for gamers who’re out.

X-Components
Highway Sport and Fatigue – The Celtics are enjoying within the second recreation of a 3 recreation street journey. They should deal with the sport and never on the distractions of journey and enjoying in an unfamiliar enviornment in entrance of hostile followers. After enjoying shorthanded in a tricky recreation towards the Raptors and as soon as once more being shorthanded for this recreation, fatigue might set in. Hopefully the Celtics depth shall be sufficient to get them via.

Officiating – Officiating can at all times 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 is known as, the Celtics should regulate to the best way the sport is being referred to as and never permit the officiating to remove from their focus.