Game Preview
The Boston Celtics roll into Orlando riding a wave of success, sporting an impressive 22-6 record and a stellar 78.6% win percentage on the season. Their high-powered offense has been firing on all cylinders, averaging a blistering 119.6 points per game while knocking down nearly 37% of their three-point attempts. The Celtics have been especially potent over their last 20 games, winning 15 of them while pouring in 118 points per contest.
Meanwhile, the Magic have been solid but unspectacular with an 18-12 record and a 60% win rate. Their offense has hovered around 107 points per game, fueled by respectable shooting percentages across the board. However, Orlando's defensive struggles stand out, allowing just over 104 points per game on the season. The Magic have hit a rough patch recently, dropping 3 of their last 5 while surrendering a concerning 108.6 points per outing during that stretch.
A key area to watch will be the battle on the glass. The Celtics have been crashing the boards effectively, grabbing nearly 46 rebounds per game. The Magic, on the other hand, have been merely average on the boards, pulling down just over 42 rebounds a night. With Boston's imposing frontcourt size, Orlando could find itself outworked on the glass, leading to extra scoring chances for the high-powered Celtics offense.
While the Magic have held their own at home, emerging victorious in 70% of their last 20 games at Amway Center, the red-hot Celtics present a daunting challenge. Boston has been virtually unbeatable of late, winning 15 of 20 and showing no signs of slowing down their torrid pace. Unless Orlando can find a way to neutralize the Celtics' potent offense and control the boards, this could be a long night for the Magic against the Eastern Conference powerhouse.