What is the difference between the Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics?

The bench

Yes, Orlando’s depth was a problem all season.

The Celtics got 19.0 points per game from Isaiah Thomas alone. Evan Fournier led the Magic bench players with 12.0 points per game.

Boston was able to throw out some decent players in Thomas, Jae Crowder, Kelly Olynyk and, when finally healthy, Jared Sullinger. Orlando’s second unit consisted of Fournier, Chaninng Frye, Willie Green, Andrew Nicholson and Aaron Gordon.

There is not a lot of offensive creativity within that group. Whereas a guy like Thomas, granted a favorite for Sixth Man of the Year for a good chunk of the season, is an offensive creator who can score against bench players and drive the offense.

The Magic never quite had that. Their injuries did not help, but the Magic’s second unit was extremely inconsistent — blowing leads or coming back in one half and then doing the opposite the next time they are in. It was this way game to game.

The offense that Brad Stevens created and the talent he had on the roster was more like what the Magic wanted to be. They played well together and had multiple options for scorers. Their closing lineup was never really set. It was based on who was playing well and who had good rhythm.

Stevens really pulled his unit together in a major way. They were bigger than the sum of their parts.

Even if the Magic could outman them at almost every position.

Next: The centers and forwards