The Boston Celtics had been outscored by 25 within the second half en path to their largest lack of the season, a 113-96 defeat by the hands of the Orlando Magic. The win is Orlando’s sixth in a row and marks Boston’s second loss in three video games; it additionally means Orlando is positioned to win East Group C and advance to the knockout spherical of the In-Season Match.
The Magic had been led by Moe Wagner, who scored a game-high 27 factors on 9-13 taking pictures. Paolo Banchero scored 23 (10-16 FG), Franz Wagner completed with 19 factors (9-18 FG), and Cole Anthony completed with 16 factors.
For the Celtics, Tatum led the way in which with 26 factors, 12 of which got here from the free-throw line. Jaylen Brown had 18, however solely 6 within the closing three quarters mixed and completed 6-21 on the evening. Derrick White, beginning at level guard, had 16 factors, whereas Kornet scored 12 factors off the bench.
The Celtics acquired off to a scorching begin and led 30-19 on the finish of the primary quarter. Jaylen Brown, who picked up the place he left off towards the Bucks, had 12 first-quarter factors — together with this loopy and-one shot from behind the basket — however struggled mightily the remainder of the way in which,
The Celtics had been with out Jrue Vacation, who sprained his ankle towards the Bucks on Wednesday. In addition they misplaced Kristaps Porzingis for the evening as a result of left calf tightness; he completed with 9 factors, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and a couple of steals in 22 minutes, however exited within the third quarter. Derrick White additionally suffered an arm contusion however re-entered the sport after getting examined within the locker room.
The Celtics led by 8 factors on the half and prolonged that result in 12 early within the third quarter, however the Magic responded with an enormous 17-0 run to take a 67-62 lead with 5 minutes left within the third, and maintained a three-point lead getting into the fourth quarter.
The ultimate interval was one of many Celtics’ worst of the season, as they fell behind by double digits and allowed 36 factors, oftentimes wide-open layups and pictures for the Wagners.
On the evening, the Celtics shot 24.3% from three and 41.3% from the sector general. The Magic shot 39.3% from three and 50.6% from the sector. In addition they out-rebounded the Celtics 48-30 for the afternoon.
The Magic have the league’s third-best protection and held the Celtics to a season-low in factors. Boston was coming off of a win towards the Bucks at house on Wednesday evening, whereas the Magic had been contemporary off of a Denver defeat.
With the loss, the Celtics’ document falls to 12-4, second-best within the league after the Timberwolves however first within the Japanese Convention. The Celtics have now misplaced 4 straight video games towards the Magic. They may look to bounce again on Sunday at 6 pm at TD Backyard towards the Atlanta Hawks (7-7).
