Celtics, Magic Clash in Playoffs after 15 Years

BOSTON, Mass. — The Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic are set to clash in the NBA playoffs for the first time in 15 years. The two teams last faced each other in the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals, where the Celtics prevailed in six games, fueled by their star trio of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. This postseason marks a new chapter as the Celtics, defending champions, take on a young Magic squad looking for their first significant playoff victory.

This year’s playoff series begins with the Celtics entering as the No. 2 seed, boasting a 61-21 record. The Magic, the No. 7 seed, finished the regular season at 41-41. They advanced to the playoffs after a crucial victory over the Atlanta Hawks during the No. 7 versus No. 8 play-in tournament matchup.

During the regular season, the two teams competed three times with the Magic winning twice. However, in those losses, the Celtics were missing key players, including Jayson Tatum. Notably, in the sole matchup where Boston fielded its complete starting lineup, the Celtics secured a dominant 26-point victory. Historically, the Celtics have shown prowess in the early playoff rounds, winning four of their last five first-round series by either a sweep or in five games.

The Magic’s chances hinge on their defensive capabilities, as they enter the playoffs with the NBA’s top scoring defense. However, their offensive performance has been lacking, particularly in three-point shooting, where they rank low among league teams. They excel in defense thanks to their size and length, which contributed to their top defensive rating. Despite that, their opponents hit 36.5% from beyond the arc during the regular season, indicating a potential vulnerability.

For the Celtics, maintaining an effective three-point shooting percentage could be crucial for their success in this series. They achieved a 36.5% or better rate from three-point range in 43 games this season, winning 37 of those matches. Notably, in the one game this season where both Tatum and Jaylen Brown faced the Magic, Boston shot an impressive 45.9% from deep.

The Magic have struggled in clutch situations, defined as the final five minutes of a game where the score is within five points. They ranked 28th in points per game during clutch moments, highlighting a concerning trend heading into the playoffs. Should the young Magic hope to advance, securing victories in close games will be essential, but they have yet to demonstrate the ability to win under pressure.

With their experience and firepower, the Celtics are favored to win the series, with predictions leaning heavily towards a quick finish. Analysts are suggesting the possibility of a Celtics sweep, citing the Magic’s inexperience and struggles with consistency. The Celtics have been preparing for this moment all season, and they are eager to prove that their journey toward retaining the Larry O’Brien Trophy continues through Boston.

As the playoff stage is set, all eyes will be on whether the Celtics can make quick work of the Magic or if the young team will rise to the occasion in an improbable bid for victory.