Apr 20, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) controls the ball whereas the Orlando Magic defend through the second half at TD Backyard. Necessary Credit score: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Photos
The Orlando Magic can be on the lookout for extra secondary scoring Wednesday once they go to the Boston Celtics for Recreation 2 of their Japanese Convention first-round playoff collection.
Regardless of 36 factors from Paolo Banchero and 23 from Franz Wagner, Orlando dropped the collection opener 103-86 in Boston on Sunday. No different Magic participant scored greater than seven factors.
Orlando’s three different starters mixed for 10 factors: level guard Cory Joseph was scoreless, heart Wendell Carter Jr. had 4 factors and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope completed with six.
“Our capability to ensure that once we get the rebound or we do flip them over, we have now to verify we convert,” Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned. “It’s important to get simple baskets when you’ve got a high-level protection as they’re.”
The Magic held Jayson Tatum to 17 factors and Jaylen Brown to 16, however Boston’s supporting solid offered loads of offense. Derrick White was 7-of-12 from 3-point territory and tossed in 30 factors, and Payton Pritchard got here off the bench to attain 19 — two greater than Orlando’s non-starters.
“That is one thing as a staff we harped on coming in, is that they do have two major guys, however it’s actually the opposite guys that kill you,” Banchero mentioned. “I feel we simply must do a greater job of getting these guys off the road as a result of they actually kill you from three. … You do a great job on the principle guys, however a number of the function guys on the wings, they kill you. So, we have now to do a greater job taking them away.”
Boston trailed 49-48 at halftime, however outscored Orlando 30-18 within the third and 25-19 within the fourth.
“Wanting again at it, that momentum shift within the third quarter was massive,” Mosley mentioned. “Us being deliberate and intentional in a few of our defensive communication items … (we) had a pair mishaps. That is what received to their spark.
“We have got to push that ball up the ground loads sooner so we’re not sitting down enjoying towards a set switching protection.”
Brown scored 10 of his 16 factors within the third quarter. Jrue Vacation added 9 factors within the third quarter after failing to attain within the first half.
“I feel that within the first half, (the Magic) form of managed the depth stage of the sport,” Brown mentioned. “They have been extra bodily than us, and within the second half, we form of shifted that.”
The Celtics had a momentary scare early within the fourth quarter when Tatum drove to the basket and was fouled onerous by Caldwell-Pope. Tatum landed awkwardly on his proper wrist and remained on the ground in apparent discomfort, however remained within the recreation.
Tatum mentioned his X-ray got here again unfavorable, and he was feeling higher after the sport.
“I simply landed on it,” he mentioned. “It was throbbing for a second, then form of went away.”
Following Recreation 2, the best-of-seven collection will shift to Orlando for Recreation 3 (Friday) and Recreation 4 (Sunday).
“The purpose is to try to get one (on the street),” Banchero mentioned. “Recreation 2 we have now to return out with a better stage of focus and simply do what we are able to do to get a win on the street as a result of we’re not successful this collection until we do. So, that is the purpose.”
–Discipline Degree Media
