Boston Celtics (4-5) at Orlando Magic (3-5)Friday, November 7, 20257:00 PM ETRegular Season Sport #10 Street Sport #5Emerates NBA Cup Sport #2TV: NBCSB, FDSNFL, NBA-LPRadio: Sirius XM, 98.5 Sports activities Hub, 104.5 The BeatKia Heart
The Celtics go to the Orlando Magic for the 2nd of 4 video games for the Emerates NBA Cup. That is the first of 4 conferences between these groups this season. They may meet in Orlando once more in 2 days on November 9. They may meet in Boston on November 23 and on April 12. The Celtics are 1-0 in NBA Cup play in Group B whereas that is Orlando’s first NBA Cup recreation.
The Celtics gained the sequence 2-1 final season. The Celtics gained 1 recreation in Boston and 1 recreation in Orlando and the Magic gained on recreation in Orlando. The Celtics are 76-57 general all time in opposition to the Magic. They’re 26-39 all time in video games performed in Orlando. The Celtics are 12-10 in opposition to the Magiic within the playoffs, together with a 4-1 win in final yr’s playoffs.
The Magic have made just a few adjustments since final season. Their greatest transfer was to commerce Cole Anthony and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and 4 first spherical picks to Memphis in trade for Desmond Bane. Up to now, Bane has struggled considerably along with his new group. They signed Jamal Cain and Colin Castleton to 2 Manner contracts. They signed Tyus Jones as a free agent. Lastly, they traded for the rights to Noah Penda from Boston in trade for the rights to Amari Williams and Max Shulga.
After this recreation at Orlando, the Celtics can have one other recreation at Orlando on Sunday after which a recreation at Philadelphia. Then they’ve 2 video games at residence in opposition to Memphis and the LA Clippers. Then it’s one recreation on the highway at Brooklyn earlier than taking part in Brooklyn, Orlando, and Detroit at residence. The house recreation in opposition to Brooklyn may even be an Emerates NBA Cup recreation.
After this recreation, the Magic will play the Celtics at residence on Sunday and at residence in opposition to Portland. They then head out on the highway to play one recreation at New York earlier than taking part in onr recreation at residence in opposition to Brooklyn. Then it’s one recreation at Houston earlier than a 3 recreation residence stand in opposition to Golden State, the LA Clippers and New York. Then it’s a 3 recreation highway journey by way of Boston, Philadelphia and Detroit.
Jayson Tatum stays out for this recreation as he rehabs from the torn Achilles that he suffered in final yr’s playoffs. Xavier Tillman may even miss this recreation for private causes. For the Magic, Moritz Wagner has but to debut this season and is anticipated to overlook this recreation. I’m anticipating the Celtics to begin the identical lineup as they did on Wednesday. I’ve listed the starters from the Magic’s recreation notes.
Possible Beginning Matchups PG: Derrick White vs Jalen Suggs
SG: Payton Pritchard vs Desmond Bane
SF: Jaylen Brown vs Franz Wagner
PF: Josh Minott vs Paolo Banchero
C: Neemias Queta vs Wendell Carter, Jr.
Celtics ReservesAnfernee SimonsHugo GonzalezJordan WalshSam HauserLuka GarzaBaylon ScheiermanChris Boucher2-Manner PlayersRon Harper, JrMax ShulgaAmari WilliamsInjuries/OutJayson Tatum (Achilles) outXavier Tillman (private causes) out
Magic ReservesGoga BitadzeAnthony BlackTristan da SilvaJett HowardJonathan IsaacTyus JonesNoah PendaJase Richardon
2-Manner PlayersJamal CainColin CastletonOrlando RobinsonInjuries/OutMoritz Wagner (knee) outHead CoachJamahl Mosley
Key MatchupsJosh Minott vs Paolo BancheroBanchero is main the Magic with 23.1 factors, 9.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 blocks per recreation. He’s capturing 44.6% from the sphere and 24.2% from past the arc. The Celtics want to stick with him on protection, particularly within the paint. Additionally they must field him out to stop him from grabbing rebounds as he has been sturdy on the boards.
Jaylen Brown vs Franz WagnerWagner is taking part in very nicely for the Magic and is averaging 22 factors, 5.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals per recreation. He’s capturing 49.6% from the sphere and 39.4% from past the arc. The Celtics must hold him off the three level line and defend him nicely to keep away from an enormous offensive recreation from him.Honorable MentionPayton Pritchard vs Desmond BaneBane has struggled considerably to start the season along with his new group. He’s averaging 13.9 factors, 3.9 rebounds, and three.5 assists. He’s capturing 41.4% from the sphere and 28.6% from past the arc. His stats are down from the 19.2 factors, 6.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists that he averaged final season. The Celtics must defend him nicely as he can escape at any time.
Keys to the GameDefense – Protection is at all times the important thing to profitable video games. The Celtics had been second within the preseason with a defensive score of 100.2, so they’re able to taking part in good protection. The Celtics are actually twelfth with a defensive score of 112.7. The Magic are 14th with a defensive score of 114.3. The Celtics picked up their protection in opposition to the Wizard and they should hold that up and play powerful lock down protection on this recreation.
Rebound – Rebounding could be the greatest key to profitable proper now because the Celtics’ 5 losses are largely as a result of they weren’t capable of rebound. The Magic are tenth with 45.9 rebounds per recreation whereas the Celtics are 18th with 42.6 rebounds per recreation. They merely must battle tougher to seize rebounds than the Magic. A lot of rebounding is effort as evidenced by Payton Pritchard grabbing 10 rebounds in opposition to the Pistons and averaging 4 rebounds per recreation. Each Celtic has acquired to crash the boards and battle for each rebound. Their effort on the boards will make all of the distinction.
Effort and Vitality – I’ve already talked about that the Celtics must put out extra effort on the boards however they must play with extra effort general for all 4 quarters. Of their 4 wins, the Celtics performed tougher and with extra power than their opponents. That needs to be their id this season. They must play tougher on protection. They must rebound tougher. They must play with power and additional effort for each possession. They’ll’t permit the Magic to play tougher than them.To three or To not 3 – The Celtics shot simply 21.6% from 3 in opposition to the Jazz. They’re twenty ninth within the league, averaging simply 31.2% from past the arc. It’s not only one Celtic who’s struggling to hit their 3’s, it’s virtually everybody on the group. They should work on their spacing and deal with their capturing. In the event that they wrestle early within the recreation, they should rating within the midrange or within the paint and never proceed to brick 3’s all the recreation. In opposition to the Wizards, they tried fewer 3’s and scored 52 factors within the paint. If the three’s nonetheless aren’t falling, they should go inside as soon as once more.Consistency – The Celtics have been capable of construct a lead of their losses. They led by 13 in opposition to the 76ers, 8 in opposition to the Knicks, 17 in opposition to the Pistons and 14 in opposition to the Jazz. Nonetheless, they weren’t capable of hold or construct on these leads. In opposition to the 76ers, they constructed a 24 level lead however gained by simply 1 level. They should play nicely on each ends of the court docket for all 4 quarters and never permit the Magic to construct a lead or to beat a Celtics’ lead. The Celtics know find out how to play to win, however they must play that manner constantly and never only for 1 or 2 quarters.
X-FactorsRoad Sport – The Celtics are taking part in on the highway. They’re dealing with distractions of journey and taking part in in an unfamiliar area in entrance of hostile followers. Though, the final time the Celtics performed in Orlando, there was an enormous contingent of Celtics followers within the area. They should shake off these distractions and hold their deal with taking part in the sport.
Officiating – Officiating can at all times be an X-Issue. In some video games, you don’t even discover the referees and in different video games, they appear to make the sport all about them. Some crews name the sport tight and others let the groups play. Some crews favor one of many groups whereas others name it pretty. Regardless of how the sport is known as, the Celtics should alter and never permit the officiating to remove from their focus.
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