Sports

Celtics defeat Magic 92-79 on first night of home stand

Orlando, Florida, USA, November 3, 2021, Orlando Magic Guard Terrence Ross #31 attempt to run pass Celtic’s Jayson Tatum #0 at the Amway Center. (Photo Credit: Marty Jean-Louis)

ORLAND, FL – The Orlando Magic faced the visiting Boston Celtics Wednesday night at the Amway Center. The Celtics come into town with a (2-5) record and frustrated as they look to take advantage of the youngest starting 5 in the NBA in Orlando.

Coach Jamal Mosely has coached up his young team to strong performances recently, including a 115 – 97 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves the week, As well as a strong showing against the Toronto Raptors over the weekend.

Tonight was a test, as Boston, though struggling, is a much more talented and experienced squad. But Orlando held their own for the most part.

Orlando, Florida, USA, November 3, 2021, Boston Celtics Guard Jaylen Brown #7 attempt to make a shot during the third quarter at the Amway Center. (Photo Credit: Marty Jean-Louis)

Jalen Brown wasted no time going to work, going 6 for 10, and 2-4 in shooting and 17 points to lead in the half. Brown finished the game with 28 points and 4 assists. The low assist numbers by Brown and Tatum (3) show that recent comments by guard Marcus Smart to be true, with Smart basically saying that “they don’t pass the ball”, and more passing might lead to more winning.

One thing that is evident with this young Orlando club, is that they are fighters.

Orlando, Florida, USA, November 3, 2021, Boston Celtics player Jaylen Brown #7 attempt to score at the Amway Center. (Photo Credit: Marty Jean-Louis)

Orlando managed to have their first lead at the end of the first quarter of the year, with a 28-26 lead.

They also had their first halftime lead of the year tonight with an 46-44 lead at the end of the second quarter.

And they managed to keep Boston’s final score under 100 points.

Now the third quarter? um, well. Things got ugly.

Boston held Orlando to only 10 points in the quarter. They shut down almost all inside scoring, and the cold Magic were trying to rely on perimeter shots, which didn’t drop. Orlando Head Coach Jamal Mosely could see what happened.

Boston’s switching caused problems for the Magic, rendering them unable to get clean shots. The frustrations resulted in frustration, and some forced chances when the ball just would not fall. It’s a make or miss league after all.

What happened?

“Boston came out with a level of intensity and force.” Said Orlando Head Coach Jamal Mosely. “We needed to come out with movement, cuts, backdoor cuts instead of working around in the perimeter, but congrats to them for coming out with such intensity.”

Orlando, Florida, USA, November 3, 2021, Boston Celtics Center Robert Williams #44 makes a dunk against the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center. (Photo Credit: Marty Jean-Louis)

Oh, that performance by Franz Wagner(28) and Cole Anthony(31) against the Timberwolves, oh Boston saw that too. The Celtics managed to hold F Wagner to 9 points, and Anthony, to 13. Both were less effective tonight.

The future superstar, Jalen Suggs, is still learning his way, and even though the big portions are not showing up on the scoreboard, he’s in there, scrapping for boards, making the needed passes, and doing the dirty work. You can see it when he plays.

Orlando, Florida, USA, November 3, 2021, Boston Celtics Forward Al Horford #42 attempt to make a dunk but is fouled by Orlando Magic Center Mo Bamba #5 at the Amway Center. (Photo Credit: Marty Jean-Louis)

Mo Bamba had a spectacular block open an wide open Al Horford Dunk as the stopped Horford dunk attempts and sent him to the ground.

Even though it was all ball, Bamba was called for a foul.

that foul would got on to hurt Bamba later, as he was called for his 6th foul at the 3:46 mark in the 4th and fouled out.

A usual problem for young teams is turnover, and it was evident tonight for Orlando, with 15 turnovers, leading to 13 Celtics points.

The Magic had a rough night, shooting only 32% from the field, and 21% from behind the arc.

“Early on, the switching became a problem,” Said Mosely. “After the first time out, we were trying to get some actions, and we got some good looks that just didn’t fall, which make things look worse.”

The Magic next face the San Antonio Spurs on Friday November 5th at the Amway Center in Orlando. Game tine, 7pm

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