Final: Celtics 126, Magic 120 - Derrick White bails out C's

Game 2: Celtics (-8.5) vs. Magic, Amway Center, 7PM, NBCSN

Injuries: Boston - Danilo Gallinari, Robert Williams, Al Horford (low back tightness). Orlando - Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Issac, Gary Harris, Jalen Suggs, Mo Wagner

Orlando probable starters: Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter, Jr., Terrence Ross, Cole Anthony    

Refs: #74 Curtis Blair, #51 Aaron Smith, #92 Brent Haskill

A little something about the game: The Celtics are on a back-to-back and without Al Horford who is listed as out with back tightness. Basically, they're resting him, so there's no need to worry. The Magic have started the season 0-2, with losses to the Pistons and Hawks, but they're not to be taken lightly. They had a double digit lead against Atlanta and lost by 10 because they got cold. They did lose Jalen Suggs in the game, which doubled their pain, but they got 20 and 12 from Banchero.

How Boston wins: They can make quick work of the Magic by coming in and putting their foot on the gas right away. The Magic are talented but young and raw, so they will make plenty of mistakes. The Celtics need to put the pressure on early and get out in transition. They turned the ball over 17 and 18 times against the Hawks and Pistons, so a defense like Boston’s should be able to force that number up even higher. We can see 30 points off turnovers if the Celtics really bear down. 

How Orlando wins: Boston would have to be complicit here and settle for jumpers. If they are lacking because of the back-to-back, then they’ll give the Magic life and hope. Without Horford, Banchero is a threat to have a big night. This rookie is a special player, and if the Celtics take him too lightly, he’ll drop a double-double on them and maybe even a triple-double if the rest of the Magic get hot from the outside. 

Things I’m looking for

- Early fire: I want to see a 35-15 first quarter. They might go into cruise control mode after that and play the Magic even the rest of the way, but they need to lay the hammer down quickly and demoralize the young group. Beware, though, of young players’ inability to understand when they're beaten. I can see and early 20 point lead cut to single digits in the fourth before a final push to put them away.

- Bigs rotation: Horford is a very important player regardless of the opponent, so not having him at all is a significant drop-off. The Magic are also pretty big, going 6’10”, 6’10”, 6’10”, 6’7”, and 6’3” in their starting lineup. I wonder how Mazzulla will handle that big frontcourt. Will he go big to combat it, or will he go small to try to run it into the ground? 

- Jays staying hot? They combined for 75 in the first game, and 57 in the second. Can they keep that roll going?

Follow along below or in the comments during the game, chime in, and let’s have fun.