Magic (9-20) at Celtics (22-7) Game#30 12/16/22

[FLCeltsFan]

  at   
Orlando Magic (9-20)  at Boston Celtics (22-7)   
Friday, December 16, 2022
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #30, Home Game #14
TV:  NBCSB, BSFL, NBA-LP
Radio: WBZ-FM, WYGM AM/FM
TD Garden



Probable Celtics Starters
PGSG SF PF C
PG: Marcus Smart
SG: Derrick White
SF: Jaylen Brown
PF: Jayson Tatum
C:  Al Horford

Celtics Reserves
Malcolm Brogdon
Grant Williams
Sam Hauser
Payton Pritchard
Luke Kornet
Blake Griffin
Justin Jackson
Noah Vonleh

2 Way Players
JD Davison
Mfiondu Kabengele

Out/Injuries
Danilo Gallinari  (ACL)  out
Robert Williams III (knee) probable
Marcus Smart (illness) questionable

Head Coach (Interim)
Joe Mazzulla




Possible Magic Starters

PG:  Markelle Fultz
SG:  Franz Wagner
SF:   Paolo Banchero
PF:   Bol Bol
C:   Moritz Wagner

Magic Reserves
Mo Bamba
RJ Hampton
Caleb Houston
Cole Anthony
Terrance Ross

2 Way Players
Kevon Harris
Admiral Schofield

Out/Injuries
Gary Harris   (hamstring) out
Jonathan Isaac (knee) out
Wendell Carter, Jr (foot) out
Chuma Okeke (knee) out
Jalen Suggs  (ankle) out

Head Coach
Jamahl Mosley

Game Notes
The Celtics are finally back home after a 13 day, 6 game road trip on which they went 4-2.  Two of the toughest games  for a team to play are the final game of a long road trip and the first game back home after the trip.  The Celtics won the last game on the road trip and now hopefully they can win the first game back at home.   

This is the second of 4 games between these two teams this season.   The Celtics won the first meeting between them 126-120 on October 22, on the second night of back to back games.  They will meet again in Boston in 2 days on December 18.  Their final meeting will be on January 23 in Orlando.  The Celtics won the series 3-0 last season. 

The Celtics have won the last 10 meetings between these two teams and 18 of the last 21 played in Boston.  Orlando's last win was on April 7, 2019 in Boston.  The Magic will forever be linked to Celtics history since they were the last opponent to play in the old Boston Garden before it was demolished.   The Magic beat the Celtics 95-92 in that game that was played on May 5, 1995. 

Orlando just finished a 5 game home stand where they finished 4-1.  Those 4 wins include the Clippers, the Raptors twice, and the Hawks.  This is the first game of a 4 game road trip for them, with the first two game on the trip against the Celtics.  The Celtics just completed a 6 game road trip and this is the first game of a 7 game home stand that will take them through the end of December. 

The Celtics are 1st in the East, 1.5 games ahead of 2nd place Milwaukee, who were blown out by the Grizzlies on Thursday night.  The Celtics are 11-2 at home and 7-3 in their last 10 games.  They are 14-5 against Eastern Conference teams.  The Magic are 13th in the East, 1.5 games out of last place.  They are 1-11 on the road and 4-6 in their last 10 games.  They have won their last 4 games.  They are 5-15 against Eastern Conference teams.

The Celtics got some good injury news on Thursday.  Robert Williams, who has yet to make his season debut is expected to play in this one.  Al Horford has missed the last 5 games, first for Health and Safety Protocols and then for the birth of his daughter.  Al isn't on today's injury list so should play.   I'm going to guess that Al returns to the starting lineup while Timelord comes off the bench for his first game back. 

Marcus Smart was ill during the Celtics game against the Lakers and at one point had to leave the court in order to avoid vomiting on the court.  He is listed as questionable with a non-covid illness.  If Marcus can't play, then I expect Derrick White to start at the point and Grant Williams to return to the starting lineup.  But there's also a possibility that Robert Williams will start as well.   Danilo Gallinari remains out. 

The Magic have 5 players listed as out on the injury list.  Wendell Carter, Jr (foot),  Gary Harris (hamstring), Chuma Okeke (knee),  and Jalen Suggs (ankle) are out for this game but may possibly be back for Sunday's game.  Jonathan Isaac (knee) is also out for this game but is expected to remain out until at least December 30. 

Key Matchups
vs
Jaylen Brown vs Paolo Banchero
Banchero was the #1 pick in this season's draft and is a candidate for Rookie of the Year.  He is averaging 21.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game.  He is shooting 45.1% from the field and 25.6% from beyond the arc.  This should be a fun matchup to watch. 

vs
Derrick White vs Franz Wagner
Wagner is averaging 19.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists.  He is shooting 49.3% from the field and 34.4% from beyond the arc.  I'm guessing that White will start at shooting guard but it's possible that Mazzulla will start Grant Williams or go with the double big lineup with Robert Williams starting. In either of those cases, Jaylen Brown will start at shooting guard. 

Honorable Mention
Jayson Tatum vs Bol Bol
Bol is averaging12.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.8 blocks per game.  He is shooting 60.4% from the field and 42.6% from beyond the arc.  The Celtics could also start Grant Williams or Al Horford at power forward, depending on what direction Mazzulla decides to go in.

Keys to the Game
Defense -  I can't say it enough, but defense is always the key to winning.   If you look at the best teams in the league, they are always at the top of the league in defense.  The Celtics have climbed to 8th in the league with a defensive rating of 111.1.  The Magic are 27th with a defensive rating of 114.8.  Hopefully the return of Robert Williams will lead to a more consistent defensive identity for the Celtics. 

Rebound - Rebounding is also crucial if a team wants to win games.  You can't score if you don't have the ball and the best way to get the ball is to grab rebounds and give themselves extra possessions.  Much of rebounding is effort and hustle and if the Celtics put the extra effort into grabbing rebounds, they usually show effort in all parts of the game. 

Play Hard 48 Minutes -  We saw the Celtics come out strong against the Lakers and build a 20  point lead, only to allow the Lakers to come back and surge ahead.  Thankfully the Celtics were able to close out that game but it would be much better not to let up in the first place.  The Celtics must come out strong and play hard until the final buzzer.  The Celtics need to avoid let ups and play hard for all 48 minutes. 

Don't Underestimate the Magic - The Magic may only be 9-20 but they have won their last 4 games over some good teams:  The Clippers, Raptors twice and the Hawks.  The Celtics can't come into this game and assume they can win without giving 100% effort because the Magics may surprise them and come away with a win if they do. 

X-Factors
Home Again - The Celtics are back home after a long 6 game road trip.  The first game home after a road trip is usually hard for teams because they relax somewhat being home and get too comfortable.  Often young teams struggle on the road and the Magic are just 1-11 away from home.  That one win was at Chicago.  The Celtics need to stay focused and not relax because they are back home.  Protect home court. 

Officiating - Officiating can always be an X-Factor.  In some games, you don't even notice the referees and in other games, they seem to make the game all about them.  Some crews call the game tight and others let the teams play.  Some crews favor one of the teams while others call it fairly.  No matter how the game is called, the Celtics must adjust to the way the game is being called and not allow the officiating to take away from their focus.  Complaining to the refs rarely does anything positive and often results in a tech or more calls against them.   

[Silas]

Let's go Cs and make it two in a row.  Welcome Rob.

[FLCeltsFan]

TP to  Silas   for being the first to post in the game thread!!!!!!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Celtics!!!!

Beat the Magic!!!!! 

[Silas]

Thanks for the great game thread FLCeltsFan and the TP...and a TP for you.   

[slamtheking]

tp for another great thread FL.  let's get another streak going

[radiohead]

Let’s go Timelord!!!

[trickybilly]

I will never understand why we got rid of a bargain contract budding star in Bol Bol.

Crazy shooting splits, reasonably good defense with a lot of room for bulking and maturation.

Go C's

[RockinRyA]

I will never understand why we got rid of a bargain contract budding star in Bol Bol.

Crazy shooting splits, reasonably good defense with a lot of room for bulking and maturation.

Go C's

From what Ive been seeing from his other former teams- high injury risk coupled with bad attitude and also not a good defender of the pnr. Brad is hellbent on building a team full of good character guys. We dont only mean how they are as a teammate but everything else, how coachable they are, are they lazy etc. Ainge actually took risks in talented guys with questionable characters and maybe brad felt they arent worth it so now he is GM, he doesnt go that direction.

[radiohead]

I will never understand why we got rid of a bargain contract budding star in Bol Bol.

Crazy shooting splits, reasonably good defense with a lot of room for bulking and maturation.

Go C's

https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/nba-trade-rumors-celtics-send-bol-bol-pj-dozier-magic-draft-pick

That pretty much sums it up.

[Birdman]

Bol was too tall for us 😁

[Vermont Green]

Are we really going to have both Robert Williams and Al Horford?  Wow, in all seriousness, this is a big moment for the team.  My guess is that they are going to be assessing RWill in terms of whether they think he is going to hold up for the season/playoffs (hard thing to assess).  If he proves to be reasonably durable, they may not make a trade for a big.  If he is questionable, it may force them to trade for a big.  That important assessment starts tonight.

To me, RWill is the story for this game.  I am sure they would not put him out there if he was not 110% healthy and that everything around the knee has been worked out and reconditioned.  Even with that, it is hard to know how he is going to look.  Should be a nice crowd moment when he enters the game and/or when he gets his first lob-dunk.  I expect highly managed minutes for him.

[RockinRyA]

Are we really going to have both Robert Williams and Al Horford?  Wow, in all seriousness, this is a big moment for the team.  My guess is that they are going to be assessing RWill in terms of whether they think he is going to hold up for the season/playoffs (hard thing to assess).  If he proves to be reasonably durable, they may not make a trade for a big.  If he is questionable, it may force them to trade for a big.  That important assessment starts tonight.

To me, RWill is the story for this game.  I am sure they would not put him out there if he was not 110% healthy and that everything around the knee has been worked out and reconditioned.  Even with that, it is hard to know how he is going to look.  Should be a nice crowd moment when he enters the game and/or when he gets his first lob-dunk.  I expect highly managed minutes for him.

Highly managed minutes for sure. Might also have to expect lower production overall as I dont think he will be in game-shape yet. We also have to factor in he will have some new adjustments with Mazz's schemes. I dont expect it to be too hard since he will probably slot into what Kornet usually does and offer more

[td450]

I will never understand why we got rid of a bargain contract budding star in Bol Bol.

Crazy shooting splits, reasonably good defense with a lot of room for bulking and maturation.

Go C's

Let's watch tonight and see how Bol does against us.

He doesn't seem strong enough or quick enough to make up for it. I'm guessing he'll be a poor defender but block some shots because he's incredibly long.

If he's able to rotate to Tatum and Brown when they drive and makes them alter shots, and/or if he can hold his spot against Horford, then he's a useable player.

[BringToughnessBack]

Go Celtics. The ascension of our mega star Tatum and super star Brown continues. Tatum is still not in his prime! But getting closer. Each year they improve and our season is a testament to the hard work they both continue to do to improve their games and raise them to the rafters. I hope we can keep these 2 together.

[SHAQATTACK]

Must see b ball

Returneth of Timelord


“ Wraith of Rob “