Orlando Magic Overcome Celtics with Strong Finish in NBA Cup
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The Orlando Magic secured a significant 123-110 victory over the Boston Celtics, showcasing their depth and talent in the NBA Cup. Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane were standout performers for the Magic, with Wagner scoring 27 points and Bane contributing 22 points along with seven assists.
The game marked a crucial moment for the Magic as they look to establish themselves in the NBA Cup. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 32 points, but his scoring was concentrated in the earlier quarters, as he struggled in the pivotal fourth quarter.
Payton Pritchard also had a strong game for Boston, finishing with 27 points, but it was not enough to overcome the Magic's late-game surge. According to the Boston Herald, the Celtics faced a sluggish start and a sloppy finish, ultimately allowing the Magic to pull away in the final minutes.
The Celtics had tied the game at 96-95 after a series of strong plays, including a go-ahead 3-pointer from Anfernee Simons, who scored all 11 of his points in the fourth quarter. However, a critical 17-4 run by the Magic, featuring three-pointers from Wagner, Bane, and Wendell Carter Jr., sealed the victory for Orlando.
The Boston defense, which has been one of the league's best, struggled to contain the Magic's perimeter shooting, as Orlando made 17 of 36 three-point attempts, shooting 47.2% from beyond the arc. The Celtics, in contrast, shot only 35.1% from three-point range, hitting 13 of 37 attempts.
The Boston Celtics had been riding on a wave of optimism, but with this loss, they fell to 4-6 on the season and 1-1 in NBA Cup group play. Coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged the team's need for better execution on both ends of the floor during tight games.
The Celtics will face the Magic again in a non-Cup game on Sunday, hoping to rebound from this defeat. This matchup was the first since the Celtics eliminated the Magic in a five-game playoff series last spring, and while there were no major altercations in this game, the rivalry remains palpable.
Both teams will look to improve in their next outings, with the Celtics needing to address their defensive lapses and the Magic looking to build on this momentum as they continue their NBA Cup journey.