Orlando was downed by Boston on the road in the first game of this two-game road series in their previous contest, snapping their two-game win streak in the process. The Magic entered Saturday 16-8 on the season and they held a 2.5-game lead over the Heat in the Southeast Division standings. They were three games behind the Celtics for the top spot in the conference and 2.5 games clear of Miami to remain in a guaranteed playoff position. Against Boston, Orlando led 9-2 early but things went downhill from there. The Magic trailed by six after the opening quarter, by 13 at the half and by 23 after three quarters en route to the loss. Orlando shot 48.3% from the field, including 14 of 35 from three-point range, but turned the ball over 21 times to offset a 45-34 edge on the glass. Jalen Suggs led the Magic with 19 points in a losing effort.
The Magic enter this game 18th in the league in scoring offense as they average 113.9 points per game on the season. Orlando is 19th in the league in rebounding with 43.6 rebounds per contest while they are 22nd in assists by dishing 25.3 dimes a night. The Magic are 5th in the league in scoring defense by allowing 109.7 points per contest. Paolo Banchero is second on the Magic as he averages 20.4 points plus 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists a night on the season. Cole Anthony contributes 15.2 points, 4.3 rebounds plus 3.6 assists a game while Franz Wagner chips in 20.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.8 dimes a contest. Wendell Carter Jr. (9.4 points, 8.6 rebounds), Jalen Suggs (12.5 points, 2.9 assists) and Moritz Wagner (11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds) are solid contributors. Gary Harris, Markelle Fultz (11.4 points, 4.3 assists), Jonathan Isaac, Caleb Houstan, Joe Ingles, Chuma Okeke, Goga Bitadze and Anthony Black all have to contribute for the Magic. Orlando is 9th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 47.9% from the field on the year. The Magic is 29th in the league in threes per game as they hit 10.2 triples a night while they are 25th in three-point shooting by hitting 34.6% from beyond the arc.
Following his injury on November 2 against the Jazz, Carter underwent surgery on his hand. He probably won’t be back until late December. Fultz is out indefinitely due to a knee injury; he last played on November 9.
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In the first half of this two-game set, Boston defeated Orlando at home, extending their home record to a sparkling 13-0. With their fourth straight victory, the Celtics raised their record to 19-5 on the season and took a two-game lead over the 76ers for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. The top spot in the Eastern Conference playoff standings belongs to Boston. Boston’s game against Orlando got off to a slow start, but they rallied to lead by six points at the half. The Magic were only able to get as close as 11 points the rest of the way as the Celtics cruised to victory, building a 13-point lead at the half. Boston made 18 of its 42 field goals from three-point range, or 52.2% of their total shots,, and won the match despite having a 45-34 disadvantage on the glass. With 30 points, six rebounds, and four assists in the victory, Jayson Tatum led the Celtics.
