Orlando Magic (23-19) at Boston Celtics (28-12) Game #41 1/17/25

The Celtics return from a miserable performance in Toronto and take on the Orlando Magic for the second time this season. The first matchup between the two came on Dec. 23, when a shorthanded Orlando team pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 108-104 victory.

Celtics are 6-4 in their last 10 games and 4-3 in the month of January, most recently going 10-31 Toronto Raptors in a 110-97 loss Wednesday. The Celtics are still six games behind the first seed Cleveland Cavaliersbut has a two-game advantage over the three-seeds New York Knicks.

The Magic, meanwhile, have managed to hang on to the playoffs despite injuries to several rotation players and their two primary scoring options in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Banchero returned to action on January 10 after a two-month absence, with the Magic going 1-2 in his games back on the floor. They currently have the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference standings.

News about injuries

The Celtics have a clean bill of health heading into tonight’s matchup.

The Magic will once again be without some key players when they take on the reigning champions.

Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and Gary Harris have all been out for significant stretches, while Goga Bitadze will miss his second straight game after entering the concussion protocol.

Key matchups

Paolo Banchero vs. Jayson Tatum

In his first three games back from an oblique strain, Paolo Banchero has played fewer minutes compared to his usual time on the floor, but the Duke product has still maintained the aggressive style of play that has made him one. of the best young talent in the league. He is currently averaging 25.3 points per game. game in his remaining three games while shooting 49% from the field with 6.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists. It will be the first matchup between the two Duke forwards this season.

Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Photos

Wendell Carter Jr. vs. Kristaps Porzingis

With Goga Bitadze on the sidelines, expect to see a lot of Wendell Carter Jr. in this competition. WCJ was productive in the first meeting against Boston, shooting 5-of-8 from the field for 11 points to go along with seven rebounds and four assists. A willing shooter who is having a career-worst season from the perimeter (20% 3P), Carter has no problem pulling it from beyond the arc, but his ability as a glass breaker will be an area that Porzingis will need to account for before.

Cole Anthony vs. Derrick White

That the Magic are down to more backcourt options means another extended appearance for Cole Anthony, who can be a microwave scorer on any given night. Anthony’s usage and efficiency are way down from previous seasons, but against Boston he stepped up and scored 10 points with five assists in Orlando’s win, finishing as a +10. Derrick White handled that matchup for most of their first meeting, with Anthony making two of his three attempts over the All-Defensive Team guard.

Lately, Anthony has seen his minutes skyrocket due to the team’s myriad injuries, averaging 32 minutes a night in his last six games, scoring 17 points on a 44/32/68 split.

Jeremy Reper-Imagn pictures

Keys to the game

Make your open shots: The shooting slump has been felt by the entire team during Boston’s tough playing period. Since January 1, the Celtics rank second in open 3-point frequency (4-6 foot space), but are just 21st in efficiency on those looks (33.6%). Against the league’s second-ranked defense in Orlando, a defense that allows the fewest 3-point shots and attempts in the league, open shots may feel harder to come by, but when they do come, the Celtics have to make the Magic pay.

Watch for aggressive defense: Orlando has a top-tier defense for a reason, though the rotation is constantly changing shape to account for their injury issues. In their previous game, the Magic chased the ball, disrupted the Celtics’ drive-and-kick game and turned nearly every fourth quarter possession into a dogfight. Orlando has forced opponents to turn the ball over an average of 17 times a game this season, third best in the league. Regardless of who is available for Orlando, they make their opponents work to score buckets. The Celtics must be ready for active hands on any kind of drive to the paint.

Protect the paint: Orlando’s offense has the worst 3-point shooting in the league, and it’s not particularly close. As a team, they shoot just 31% from distance, with the closest “competitor” in that regard being Washington Wizards and their success rate of 33%. Despite that, the Magic are a competent paint attacking unit, especially with Paolo Banchero on the floor, who is making 55% of his shots inside 10 feet. With Al Horford and Porzingis both available along with Luke Kornet, Boston’s big players must disrupt Orlando’s bid for the Cup, while the rest of Boston’s rotation must communicate and avoid defensive lapses that end in open cuts to the rim.