Magic Turn Tables on Celtics for 123-110 Win
Franz Wagner led the Orlando Magic with 27 points, one of seven players scoring in double figures, as the Celtics struggled late in the game.
Background
Last spring, the Celtics and Magic faced off in a grueling first-round playoff series, in which Boston frequently noted Orlando’s physical play and the difficulties it created. Although Boston won the series in five games, the intensity appeared to take a toll; they subsequently lost to the Knicks in the following round.
Team Changes Since Last Playoffs
- The Magic added Desmond Bane to improve their offense.
- The Celtics adopted a more scrappy, underdog approach, focusing on disrupting opponents’ games.
Recent Matchup Highlights
In their NBA Cup rematch on Friday night, the Magic caught fire from long range, hitting a season-best 17 of 36 three-pointers and outscoring Boston 39-XX in the fourth quarter. Despite Boston overcoming an early 16-point deficit and briefly reclaiming the lead in the fourth, they faltered late and lost 123-110.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 32 points and nine rebounds, with Payton Pritchard contributing 27 points.
“I didn’t feel like we got out-physicaled,” Pritchard said.
Summary
The Magic's sharp shooting and balanced scoring performance overwhelmed the Celtics in the final quarter, reversing the physical dominance seen in their last playoff encounter.
Author's Note
This game illustrated a shift in momentum, showing how both teams evolved strategically since their intense playoff clash earlier in the year.
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