Final: Magic 113, Celtics 96 - Horrible second half sinks Celtics

BOSTON CELTICS at ORLANDO MAGIC

2:30 p.m., NBC Sports Boston/NBA TV

Line: Boston -4.5

INJURIES

Boston: Jrue Holiday (OUT, ankle)

Orlando: Wendell Carter, Jr. (OUT, hand), Markelle Fultz (OUT, knee), Kevon Harris (OUT, Coach’s Decision)

NOTES:

• Orlando is on a five-game winning streak, most recently beating Denver 124-119. 
• This is an in-season tournament game. A Boston win would clinch Group C.
• A Boston win would also eliminate Chicago from the tournament. It would also push Orlando towards elimination, which would happen if Toronto loses or if Milwaukee and Miami win. 

THINGS I’M LOOKING FOR

1. How they score: Orlando has the league’s second-best defense, tied with Boston. The Celtics have had a tendency to fall back into some bad habits when faced with defenses this good. However, this is the first time they’ve faced a top defense without an elite shot-blocking anchor. Goga Bitadze blocks a couple per game, but I don’t think he should be feared, so let’s see if they will continue to attack and let their offense flow off that. 

2. How they defend: There are some great individual scorers, but their offense is in the bottom third of the league. They're going to have to balance the help on Paulo Banchero and Franz Wagner without over-helping and allowing role players to get going. 

3. Continued bench success: Orlando’s bench has the third-best offensive rating and fifth best net rating in the league. What do you think Boston’s bench net rating is?

It’s 4.1. Second-best in the league. The bench also has played the third-fewest minutes in the NBA, so their stats are still prone to some wild swings. If they want to keep a hold on that great net rating, they're going to have to keep Orlando’s bench scorers in check. 

Follow along with my thoughts as the game goes on. They’ll show up below and in the comments section, so hop in and share your opinion as well.