Celtics Overcome Magic in Postseason Opener, 103-86

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics began their playoff run with a strong second-half performance, defeating the Orlando Magic 103-86 in Game 1 of the first round Sunday afternoon at TD Garden. The atmosphere shifted dramatically during halftime as Boston struggled to maintain a double-digit lead.

Jrue Holiday, pivotal in the second half, noted that the team’s lack of initial aggression needed to change. “We just knew, going into the third, we needed some energy,” he told reporters. Al Horford added that Holiday’s energy lifted the team both offensively and defensively.

Within two minutes of the third quarter, Holiday made a significant play by forcefully defending against Magic forward Franz Wagner, leading to a defensive stop. He then transitioned to offense, making a stepback 3-pointer that contributed to a swift 7-0 run. The Celtics outscored the Magic 30-18 in the third quarter.

Despite only scoring nine points, Holiday’s impact was felt in various areas. His hustle and defensive prowess became crucial as he assisted teammates on fast breaks, including a key pass to Derrick White for a layup.

<p“Tonight, he put the team on his back from that passion and emotion standpoint,” Joe Mazzulla, Celtics head coach, said. The Celtics relied heavily on White’s offensive contributions, as he scored 30 points on 10-for-18 shooting.

On the defensive side, the Celtics faced a challenge against Orlando’s formidable defense, which ranked second in the league this season. Boston’s three-point shooting remained a concern as they made only 37 shots, following a record-setting average of 48.2 attempts during the regular season.

Concerns arose for the Celtics following the game, as Jayson Tatum suffered a wrist injury during a hard fall. He underwent an X-ray, which returned clean, but was listed as doubtful for Game 2. If Tatum is sidelined, the Celtics will need to rely on the depth of their roster, including Holiday and White, to fill the offensive void.

Now, the Celtics face the challenge of maintaining their intensity and physicality against the Magic as they prepare for Game 2. Jaylen Brown emphasized the need for a ‘hunter mentality’ going forward. “It’s going to be a lot of that this series. Can’t expect nothing less. It’s gonna be more of a fight than it is skill,” he stated.