Final: Celtics 116, Magic 110 (OT): Jaylen Brown's 50 helps lead frantic C's comeback win

Game 37
Boston Celtics (17-19, 10-7 home, T-9th East) vs. Orlando Magic (7-29, 5-16 road, 14th East)
TD Garden
6:00 PM - NBC Sports Boston 

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS

Boston: Marcus Smart, Dennis Schroder, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, Grant Williams

Orlando: Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter, Jr., Mo Bamba, Gary Harris, Tim Frazier

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

- Jayson Tatum is out of Health and Safety Protocols, but is out due to “return to competition reconditioning". 

- Aaron Nesmith did actually clear the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols, but Ime Udoka said he went right back in this morning. It’s unclear why he came out and went back in on consecutive days, and Udoka says it’s the NBA’s decision. 

- Enes K. Freedom remains in protocols. He’s the only other Celtic currently in protocols. 

- Romeo Langford is out with a non-COVID illness. 

- Robert Williams (right big toe sprain) is out. Brodric Thomas (low back pain) is also out.

- Joe Johnson is longer with the team. His 10-day hardship contract expired and with a few of the Celtics returning, there's no longer a spot for him. But Udoka says that doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be. 

“From a physical and ability to play standpoint, yes. He was somebody that if we had more positives pop up, we would have been confident throwing him in for more minutes,” Udoka said. “His experience stood out immediately, his voice stood out immediately in the locker room, and from a respect level from all of the players that’s something that was very notable. 

“Other than the coaches, he spoke up more than some of the guys who had been here. He shared his experience with those guys. We talked about how much they looked up to him when he signed here (regarding) Jayson and the other guys. Whether it was JB or someone else’s ear, he was always there lending support and advice on things he’s been through. From a physical standpoint he’s as good as end of bench players across the league, so there’s no doubt about that. It’s just opportunity. He got that due to the circumstances, and maybe it will open something else up for him.”

- Orlando Magic players in Health and Safety Protocols: Robin Lopez, Chuma Okeke. 

- Orlando injuries: Cole Anthony (ankle), Michael Carter-Williams (ankle), Markelle Fultz (knee), Jonathan Isaac (knee), E’Twaun Moore (knee) are all out. 

THREE THINGS TO WATCH FOR

1. No let up: The Magic made Milwaukee sweat in their last game, turning a 15 point halftime deficit into a brief third quarter lead. Milwaukee asserted themselves after that and took off, but the Celtics don’t want to put themselves in that position. For once, it would be nice to see the Celtics go wire to wire. 

2. Trying the cutting thing again: The Celtics ran their offense through their bigs very effectively in the last game. The opportunity to do it again should present itself again for the Celtics. Robert Williams is out, so that's going to hurt them, but they can still use Horford very effectively. CUTTING LEADS TO EASY BUCKETS!

3. Winning the transition game: The Celtics are just awful in transition. If they can clean that up, they’ll get some easy points against the Magic. At the same time, they need to be able to get back and stop Orlando from running themselves. Winning the transition game could be the difference between an easy win and a battle. 

GAME THREAD

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