Orlando Magic (45-36) at Boston Celtics (55-26)Sunday, April 12, 20266:00 PM ETRegular Season Recreation #82 House Recreation #41TV: ESPN, NBCSB, FDSNFLRadio: 98.5 Sports activities Hub , WYGM 96.9, Sirius XMTD Backyard
The Celtics host the Orlando Magic for the 4th, and closing, assembly between these groups this season. They performed twice in a row in Orlando with the Magic profitable the primary recreation 123-110 and the Celtics profitable the second recreation 111-107. The Celtics received the third recreation 138-129 in Boston. The Celtics received the sequence 2-1 final season. The Celtics are 78-58 general all time in opposition to the Magic. They’re 51-18 all time in video games performed in Boston.
This could possibly be a preview of the Celtics more than likely first spherical matchup. Orlando can transfer as much as sixth in the event that they beat the Celtics and Toronto loses to the Nets. If Toronto beats the Nets, Orlando must play Philadelphia within the play in to determine the seventh seed. The Celtics are 12-10 in opposition to the Magic within the playoffs, together with a 4-1 win within the first spherical of final 12 months’s playoffs.
The Celtics are 2nd within the East, 4 video games behind 1st place Detroit. They’re 2 video games forward of third place New York, 4 video games forward of 4th place Cleveland, 9 video games forward of fifth place Atlanta and 10 video games forward of sixth place Toronto and seventh place Orlando. The Celtics are 35-16 in opposition to Jap Convention opponents. They’re 29-11 at dwelling and 8-2 of their final 10 video games. They’re coming off a win of their final recreation.
The Magic are seventh within the East, 6 video games behind 4th place Cleveland, 2 recreation behind fifth place Atlanta and tied with sixth place Toronto. They’re 1 recreation forward of eighth place Philadelphia, 2 video games forward of ninth place Charlotte and three video games forward of tenth place Miami. They’re 26-25 in opposition to Jap Convention opponents. They’re 19-19 on the street and 7-3 of their final 10 video games. They’ve received their final 5 video games.
The Celtics have an in depth harm report for this recreation. Jaylen Brown (Achilles), Neemias Queta (toe), Jayson Tatum (harm administration), and Derrick White (knee) are all listed as out. Sam Hauser (again), Payton Pritchard (plantar fasciitis), and Nikola Vucevic (finger) are all uncertain. Hugo Gonzalez was a late addition to the harm record as questionable with foot ache. I’ve simply made a wild guess as to the Celtics starters for this recreation. For the Magic, Jett Howard (ankle) and Jonathan Isaac (knee) are each listed as questionable.
Possible Beginning MatchupsPG: Max Shulga vs Jalen Suggs
SG: Baylor Scheierman vs Desmond Bane
SF: Hugo Gonzalez vs Franz Wagner
PF: Jordan Walsh vs Paolo Banchero
C: Luka Garza vs Wendell Carter, Jr
Celtics ReservesAmare WilliamsRon Harper, JrDelano BantonJohn Tonje
2-Means PlayersNoneInjuries/OutDerrick White (knee) outNeemias Queta (toe) outSam Hauser (again) doubtfulJaylen Brown (Achilles) outJayson Tatum (harm administration) outPayton Pritchard (plantar fasciitis) doubtfulNikola Vucevic (finger) doubtfulHugo Gonzalez (foot) questionable
Magic ReservesGoga BitadzeAnthony BlackJamal CainJevon CarterTristan daSilvaNoah PendaJase RichardonMoritz Wagner
2-Means PlayersColin CastletonAlex MoralesInjuries/OutJett Howard (ankle) questionableJonathan Isaac (knee) questionable
Key Matchups Jordan Walsh vs Paolo BancheroBanchero is averaging 22.2 factors, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per recreation. He’s capturing 46.2% from the sector and 31.1% from past the arc. In 2 video games in opposition to the Celtics this season, he averaged 21.5 factors, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per recreation whereas capturing 50% from the sector and 12.5% from past the arc.
Hugo Gonzalez vs Franz WagnerWagner is averaging 20.6 factors, 5.2 rebounds, and three.4 assists per recreation. He’s capturing 48.5% from the sector and 34.8% from past the arc. In 3 video games in opposition to the Celtics this season, he averaged 20.7 factors, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per recreation whereas capturing 42.2% from the sector and 25.0% from past the arc. Since Hugo is now questionable, if he can’t play I might guess that Ron Harper, Jr begins right here.Honorable MentionBaylor Scheierman vs Desmond BaneBane is averaging 20.2 factors, 4.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.1 steals per recreation. He’s capturing 48.5% from the sector and 39.2% from past the arc. In 3 video games in opposition to the Celtics this season he averaged 16.3 factors, 5 rebounds and 6 assists whereas capturing 48.6% from the sector and 37.5% from past the arc.
Keys to the GameDefense – Protection is at all times the important thing to profitable video games. The Celtics at the moment are 4th within the league with a defensive score of 111.8. The Magic are 14th with a defensive score of 113.7 Of their final loss, the Celtics allowed the Knicks to shoot 53.8% from the sector and 42.9% from past the arc. They have been lax on protection and that price them the sport. The Celtics are going to need to work more durable on protection than the Magic and lock down the Magic’s shooters.
Rebound – Rebounding can also be a giant key to profitable The Magic are nineteenth with 43.3 rebounds per recreation whereas the Celtics are third with 46.4 rebounds per recreation. They merely need to battle more durable to seize rebounds than the Magic. Each Celtic has bought to crash the boards and battle for each rebound. The Celtics can’t rating with out the ball and a great way to get the ball is to crash the boards.
Effort and Power for 48 Minutesc- The Celtics need to play with further effort general for all 4 quarters. The Celtics are lacking a whole lot of firepower on the harm record and so the easiest way to make up for that’s to play more durable than the Magic. The Celtics have to make taking part in with extra effort and vitality their identification for the upcoming playoffs and it wants to start out with this recreation.
Transfer the Ball Fastidiously – The Celtics play greatest once they share the ball and preserve it shifting. They will’t attempt to do an excessive amount of individually or the offense will get slowed down. They should transfer the ball to seek out the very best photographs as an alternative of taking fast photographs or over dribbling. They’ve to maneuver the ball rigorously, nonetheless, and never flip the ball over. The Magic rating 18.6 factors off turnovers per recreation. If the Celtics get sloppy once more, the Magic will make them pay.
X-FactorsCeltics Delight at House – The Celtics could have the house crowd behind them and that ought to give them a lift. The Magic could have all of the distractions of taking part in on the street similar to journey, lodge keep, and taking part in on an unfamiliar courtroom in entrance of a hostile crowd. The Celtics should be prepared for a staff that performs very arduous for 48 minutes. The Celtics have to match the Magic’s effort particularly on the defensive finish. The Celtics have to take pride and play more durable than the Magic to guard their dwelling courtroom and get a win in opposition to this motivated Magic staff.
Subsequent Man Up – The Celtics shall be lacking not less than 4 and presumably as many as 7 gamers for this recreation. The keep prepared group will get an opportunity to indicate that they’re prepared for playoff minutes and have to make the most of that chance. They should hit their photographs and defend at a excessive stage as a way to beat the motivated and wholesome Magic.
Officiating – The officiating is at all times an x-factor. Some referees name the sport tight and others allow them to play. Some favor the house staff and others name it evenly. Some refs simply appear to have an agenda that doesn’t match the occasions on the courtroom. At instances they miss essential calls that change the momentum of the sport. The Celtics have to play nicely sufficient to not go away the sport within the arms of the officers on the finish they usually can’t let dangerous calls take away from their focus.
