BSJ Game Report: Celtics 111, Magic 107 - Bench delivers, defense shines, in Orlando rematch

Everything you need to know about the Celtics' win over Orlando, with BSJ insight and analysis

IN A NUTSHELL

The Celtics recovered after a slow start to cut a 12-point deficit to three heading into the second. Anfernee Simons took over to fuel an 11-point Celtics lead, but Orlando tied it at the half. After a back-and-forth third quarter, a mostly bench unit got Boston enough separation in the middle of the fourth to hold off a late Magic run. 

Box Score

HEADLINES

- Bench contributions: It started with Simons going nuclear in the first half. Then Jordan Walsh’s defense was a big part of Boston making a run. And then Luka Garza started grabbing offensive rebounds and finishing down low. Sprinkle in some nice plays by Hugo Gonzalez and this was the first game this season where the bench was responsible for the win. 

- Defense steps up: The Celtics forced 17 turnovers for 29 points. Orlando also shot 7-30 from 3 in this one after hitting 17 in their win Friday night. Asked if he changed anything defensively, Joe Mazzulla shook his head and said, “sure didn’t.” The Celtics simply executed better. 

“I thought we did a better job in our shifts. We did a better job in our close-outs,” Mazzulla said. “The other night, we left our feet on a ton of close-outs and gave guys drives there. We did a better job on that.”

Rebounding was better: The Celtics gave up 12 offensive rebounds and 17 second chance points, but they had 13 offensive rebounds and 18 second chance points. This is exactly the kind of night I’ve been talking about when I’ve said the Celtics just need to be okay on the defensive glass. They weren’t great, but they made up for it by being +1 in second-chance points and +14 in points off turnovers. 

TURNING POINT 

The Celtics went on a 13-0 run in the middle of the fourth quarter, mostly powered by a White, Walsh, Gonzalez, and Pritchard lineup with Garza and Neemias Queta splitting time over that stretch. The Magic made a late run, but they couldn't come all the way back. 

THINGS I LIKED

- The bench: Just in general, I want to shout all of them out as a group because the beginning of this game absolutely sucked and they changed the energy. I thought the Celtics were on their way to getting their doors blown off, but the bench saved the day.

- Jordan Walsh: I honestly thought things were going so poorly for him after his summer league and training camp performances that I wondered if he’d even make the roster. In a way, the Celtics’ misfortunes have benefited him by forcing Mazzulla to give him a chance.  This was his best performance in Boston because of the defensive energy he brought and hitting two huge 3-pointers, including the dagger at the end. 

- Luka Garza: He was huge on the boards (eight rebounds, four offensive) and he killed the Magic with putbacks and finishes through contact. He also had three assists. He might never be what the Celtics are looking for defensively, but he made enough plays on that end in this one to let his offense shine. 

- Anfernee Simons: He scored 14 points in a row for Boston as the Celtics flipped a 12-point deficit into an 11-point lead. He scored 25 in the first half overall and didn't score again in the second half, but he still had an impact on the game. 

“He also made them change their pick-and-roll coverage, which was great,” Mazzulla said. “He constantly gave us a two-on-ones in the second half.”

- Derrick White: He hit a huge 3 as part of a back-and-forth exchange with Orlando as they tried to come back down the stretch. He was 3-9 from deep, and 4-6 from the line, so his shooting isn’t all the way back, but it’s making progress. Beyond that, though, his defense was stellar again, and his chase-down steals were incredible. He also scored 11 in the first quarter to help keep the Celtics afloat during a rough start.

- Hugo Gonzalez: He played 12:36 and was +19. He also hit a big 3, and his deceleration step assist to Queta was a thing of beauty. 

He’s 19, but plays with the maturity of a guy who came up in a pro system. 

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE

- Josh Minott: The physicality is tough for a guy of Minott’s build. I don’t think he handled it well. 

- The start of the game: The Celtics looked like a bunch of tourists who were worn out from walking around Disney all day. I could see some golfers’ tans out there, so maybe these guys got a little too much sun on their off day. Either way, the energy completely sucked to start the game, and the Celtics were on their way to getting smoked if the bench didn’t save them. 

HIGHLIGHTS

ONE TAKE KARALIS WILL REGRET LATER

- I have no idea how this game will impact Jordan Walsh’s spot in the rotation. 

Last week, I thought Baylor Scheierman was stacking up enough positive plays to get himself a little more run. Then he didn’t get a single minute in Orlando. Walsh has similarly stacked up some nice nights, capped off with a beauty here tonight, so it’s natural to think he’s going to start getting consistent run. 

And he might. But also, he might not. 

What this game showed was Mazzulla will dip into his roster and go with whoever is working well in the moment. Scheierman might get 25 minutes against Philadelphia and Walsh might get a DNP. Mazzulla is going to read what the game needs and go with the guys he thinks can make it happen. 

This is how it will continue to go for a team with a bunch of equal talent at the end of the bench. 

I hope Walsh finds the level of consistency he needs to continue getting these minutes. I hope something clicks for him. At the same time, he doesn’t have a long leash. No one does when you get that deep in the bench. 

All of which means that if Walsh does end up getting consistent minutes, he will do so by earning them every second he’s on the floor. If he can actually hold onto a rotation spot, it’ll be extra satisfying because he knows that can go away at any time. 

Next Up: The Celtics visit Philadelphia on Tuesday night.