Final: Celtics 116, Magic 83 - Celtics flex defensive muscles late, move up to 6th in East

GAME 55
Boston Celtics (29-25, 11-15 road, 8th East) vs. Orlando Magic, (12-42, 5-19 home, 15th East)
Amway Center
6:00 PM - NBC Sports Boston

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS

Boston: Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, Robert Williams

Orlando: Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter, Jr., Mo Bamba, Cole Anthony, Jaylen Suggs

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

- Only Bol Bol and PJ Dozier on the injury report for Boston (both likely done for the season). Sam Hauser is back in the G League.

- Michael Carter-Williams (ankle), Markelle Fultz (knee), RJ Hampton (knee) are all out for Orlando.

- Boston is favored by 9.5

THREE THINGS TO WATCH FOR

1. Attacking with Bamba on the floor: The Celtics have done a great job of attacking the basket, but they have a tendency to settle when there's a shot blocker on the floor. They don’t challenge shot blockers very well, if at all, but the best way to deal with someone at the rim is to make him make plays. 

This is Mo Bamba, not Dikembe Mutombo. He’s going to foul. He’s going to make mistakes. Drive it, kick it, attack again, and make him slide and make decisions. 

2. Celtics vs. Celtics: Brian Scalabrine used this term before the Detroit game and I love it. This is the concept of Boston needing to hone in on their own shortcomings and continue to build consistency. Against Detroit and Orlando, it’s less about what they do against the Pistons and Magic, it’s more about Boston executing what they are trying to do well, and doing so for longer stretches. So this is just about ball-movement, attacking, defending, and getting out and playing with pace. 

3. Get out and run: Orlando has the league’s fifth-highest turnover percentage, so they’ll cough it up. The easiest way to pile up some points is to get out and run and pile up some 15-2, 12-0 runs. 

GAME THREAD

Stick around for more comments below as the game goes on. Feel free to add your two cents in the comments.