Orlando Magic Grades: Boston Celtics 104, Orlando Magic 88

The Orlando Magic never could get over the hump or find their offense once again as the Boston Celtics ran away for a victory at the Amway Center.

Terry Rozier is all of 6-foot-2. His presence might be a bit bigger.

And when the Orlando Magic let him be even taller, it was a symbol of their frustration and their status in this battle of supposed Eastern Conference titans.

On a third-quarter rebound, Terry Rozier outleaped Mario Hezonja and Bismack Biyombo to get the offensive board. What happened next really may not have mattered. It was the symbol of the diminutive Rozier beating the Magic to that board. That was the posture Boston Celtics took all game in a 104-88 win at the Amway Center.

The Magic, again shorthanded with Elfrid Payton and D.J. Augustin out and without their 3-point shot falling, struggled to find any answers. The floodgates opened in the second quarter and the Magic could not keep up.

Each time the reserves came in, the Magic’s stretched-out depth prevented them from keeping pace. No player off Orlando’s bench who played more than 10 minutes had a +/- better than -10. And Mario Hezonja’s -10 was helped by a +5 run from the third unit to end the game.

Jonathon Simmons, starting at point guard for the first time all year, picked up two quick fouls and left the game. That enabled Kyrie Irving to attack in the pick and roll and give the Celtics a healthy lead.

The Magic never could muster enough offense to get themselves back into the game. The lead mostly stayed near eight points, close but just out of reach. Orlando got it to within four at one point but never could scratch closer.

For the game, the Magic shot 36.3 percent and 20.7 percent from beyond the arc. There was no rhythm and the Celtics were able to blow up the Magic’s basic sets.

Orlando was clawing for offense again, seemingly going at it alone and trying to force offense. The ball movement and attack might have been better than it was Friday, but the result was the same.

The Magic still have a lot of work to do offensively, even given the fact the Celtics boast the best defense in the league so far.

Getting a point guard back will help — Elfrid Payton is expected back Wednesday. Making a few 3-pointers to gain some confidence will too. But the Magic are now facing down some of the weaknesses their winning hid. And they will now have to find a response.

Next: Mario Hezonja still fighting for his chance

The Orlando Magic hope to get Elfrid Payton back for Wednesday’s game against the New York Knicks at the Amway Center.