BSJ Game Report: Magic 96, Celtics 76 - C's reserves run out of gas against Magic regulars

Everything you need to know about the Celtics' loss to the Magic, with BSJ insight and analysis.

IN A NUTSHELL

The Celtics started out well enough to take an early lead with their effort, but their sloppiness led to 13 points off turnovers in the first quarter. A six-point deficit after one turned to 19 at one point, but the Celtics defense settled down and Boston went into the half down only eight. It got back to 19 thanks to Orlando’s hot shooting, and it got no better in the fourth as Orlando cruised to the win.

The Celtics sat their entire starting five and Al Horford. 

Box Score

HEADLINES

- Outmatched: It turns out missing the top six players in your rotation is not good for an NBA team. The Magic had something to play for (they clinched home court in the play-in tournament), which makes them a legit playoff team. It’s hard to ask a bunch of role players to become primary guys without some hiccups. Orlando turned those into big runs. 

- Out-Celtics’d: Orlando took and made more 3-pointers than Boston, shooting 16-44 while the Celtics shot 7-40. The Celtics offense didn’t exactly run smoothly enough to generate the looks we’re used to and the defense frequently lost shooters by over-helping. 

- Out of gas: The New York/Orlando back-to-back is a brutal one. After the game, Joe Mazzulla was asked a few different questions about the game, twice saying the guys ran out of gas before interrupting reporters and saying “I appreciate everyone's creativity and the type of questions that you're asking, but we got to the hotel at 4:30 in the morning." It’s no wonder they missed shots. 

TURNING POINT 

Orlando went on a 17-2 run in the middle of the third to turn a nine-point game into a 24-point game in about six minutes of playing time. 

THINGS I LIKED

- Luke Kornet in his bag: It wasn’t the typical Kornet game as he finished with 14 points and just three rebounds. But he had a couple of plays where he was forced to get creative. 

The offense was so bad in stretches that Kornet had no choice but create his own shot. At least this one will give them something to talk about on the plane. 

- Baylor Scheierman, also in his bag: I like this kid. He has a lot to improve over the next season or two, but he’s not that far off from contributing on a regular basis. He just has a feel for the game that make me feel he can be a part of a cohesive offense. He’s earning my trust on that end. He finished with 15 points on 6-14 shooting, but just 1-7 from 3. He also had five rebounds and three assists in his first career start.

- This Neemias Queta dunk: 

This dunk has the fourth-highest dunk score in the NBA this season. I don’t know what the hell that means, but it sounds good. 

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE

- Everything else Queta did: I think I’m out on Queta. He’ll have his moments here and there, but he needs a lot of work to be a regular contributor. The notion that he’ll be able to step into Kornet’s role if Kornet leaves this summer is a bit far-fetched to me. I don’t like the way he moves on the court.

- Shooting by the shooters: Scheierman and Payton Pritchard were 1-7 from 3. Sam Hauser was 2-8. Drew Peterson was 1-4. They need to do more than 5-26 from deep. 

- Turnovers: They had 16 for 25 Magic points. I’m sure tired legs played a role in that, but it also had to do with a lack of cohesion. 

- Rebounding: They allowed 12 offensive rebounds and 18 second-chance points. 

HIGHLIGHTS

TWO TAKES KARALIS WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

- This game shows you how much better Boston’s stars make the role players

This game was Thanksgiving dinner with just the sides. And as much as I like mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, I can’t make a whole meal out of it all. 

I know, I know, I look like I can make a meal out of anything, and the Celtics have been able to adjust nicely without certain guys, too. But not having a single star out there means there's no one to draw the defense’s attention and open up clean looks for all these guys. 

The strength of most of these players is how they operate in space and swim in the wake of the sharks in the starting five. It’s one thing to feed on the scraps left behind by apex predators, it’s another to have to hunt for your own food. 

Every ecosystem has that dynamic, a team is really no different. 

- The Celtics didn't give a damn about that road record. 

Listen to this word salad from him when he was asked about it. 

Hilarious. Still, it was a hell of a year away from home. 

Next up: The Celtics return home to finish the regular season with two games against Charlotte starting on Friday night.