Magic can't keep up with high-powered Celtics

Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel on Jan 17, 2025

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BOSTON — It was always going to be an uphill battle for the Magic without three starters and three key reserves against the Celtics on Friday night.

But on a night when Orlando was without Franz Wagner (return to competition reconditioning), Jalen Suggs (low back strain), Goga Bitadze (concussion protocol), Gary Harris (left hamstring strain), Jett Howard (left ankle sprain) and Moe Wagner (torn left ACL), Boston overwhelmingly outshot Jamahl Mosley’s squad in front of a sold-out TD Garden crowd.

Although the Magic started with better energy on the road Friday compared to Wednesday’s loss at Milwaukee, the group couldn’t keep up on offense with the likes of Celtics stars Jayson Tatum (30 points), Kristaps Porzingis (23) and Jaylen Brown (20), who combined for 73 in the 121-94 home victory.

The Celtics, who average the fourth-most points (117.5), scored 96 through three frames and finished well above the Magic’s second-fewest points allowed (103.7) in the 27-point win on ESPN.

With the win, Boston (29-12) evens the season series at 1-1 after Orlando beat them Dec. 23 at Kia Center. The sides meet a third and final time April 9 in the Magic’s third-to-last game of the regular season and final home contest.

Following a winless two-game trip, Orlando (23-20) returns to Kia Center when it hosts the Nuggets on Sunday in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s first game against his former team.

Starting 5

Mosley made no change to his starting lineup when he stuck with Paolo Banchero, Cole Anthony, Caldwell-Pope, Tristan da Silva and Wendell Carter Jr. at Boston.

Banchero mentioned at the shootaround earlier Friday he hoped to play more minutes in his fourth game following a two-plus-month absence due to a torn right abdominal muscle.

The All-Star forward totaled 29 minutes, which was slightly above his 27-minute restriction he had in his first three games back. He finished with 21 points, notching his seventh 20-plus point showing in just nine appearances.

But he didn’t go unscathed. Banchero took an accidental shot to the face from Porzingis halfway through the third quarter.

Following a long stoppage, he was able to walk off the floor on his own power and attempt the pair of free throws. Orlando committed a foul to force a stoppage to sub him out, but he was later able to return despite his right eye clearly bothering him at times.

Anthony was more efficient on offense, totaling a team-high 23 points on 60% shooting. He added seven rebounds.

Carter hit his first 3 from the right corner, but it was his lone make from beyond the arc. Still, he ended with 15 points and nine rebounds.

Difference from distance

Boston entered the contest averaging league highs of 49.3 attempts from 3-point range with 17.9 makes.

After hitting their first five shots from distance, the Celtics made 17 on the night with 37 attempts (45.9%).

In comparison, Orlando made five triples all game long.

The group, which entered already with the lowest percentage (30.7%) in the NBA, finished at 15.6% from beyond the arc.

That all led to a 36-point difference on 3s alone.

Rookie watch

Following a scoreless showing at Milwaukee, da Silva continued to search for offense at Boston.

The No. 18 pick finished with five points on 2-of-7 shooting and picked up three fouls by the 5:26 mark of the second quarter. He added three rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes.

Duke connection

The entire Duke men’s basketball team was in attendance for the game ahead of its contest at Boston College on Saturday night.

That included Montverde Academy’s Cooper Flagg, who’s piecing together a stellar freshman season for the Blue Devils with averages of 18.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists.

Orlando’s Banchero and Carter as well as Boston’s Tatum all went to Duke.