Orlando Magic Grades: Boston Celtics 92, Orlando Magic 83

The Orlando Magic were stifled by the Boston Celtics. The Magic offense was nowhere to be found as they lost at home.

The Boston Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic 92-83 at Amway Center on Friday in a game that showed the differing identity between one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference and one of the worst. The Celtics displayed their defensive prowess and the Magic displayed their ineptitude.

Another rough contest for the Magic, who shot just 39.5 percent from the field and 5 for 28 from behind the arc. Orlando found a way to stay within arm’s reach of Boston, who also couldn’t hit their shots.

One thing Orlando should hang its hat on is the defense. Boston was without Kyrie Irving and Jaylen Brown. The Magic did their job and shut down a shorthanded squad. The Celtics shot 37.8 percent from the field and were unable to string together good possessions.

In the end, Orlando failed to come close to a team without its primary offensive weapon.

At the tail end of the third quarter, Orlando finally surpassed 50 points. It was nothing short of a miracle, there was something of a spark, which quickly faded and the Magic would fall behind 75-54 with one period left.

The first half was one to forget for the Magic. They faced a 48-31 deficit into the locker room and the offense was missing in action. There was no flow and without Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon, there wasn’t a player that could take the reigns.

The Magic’s 31 first-half points were their lowest total in any half this season. Boston shut down Orlando and it would take a fantastic second half to come back from the 17-point deficit.

Nikola Vucevic and Jonathon Simmons shot a combined 3-of-15. When the two best offensive weapons available shoot that poorly, Orlando is doomed.

Compared to the victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night, the Orlando Magic were firing on all cylinders offensively and scored 126 points. Just a contest later, the offense disappeared. The inconsistency on offense has been a trend throughout the 2018 campaign.

After a rough start, the struggles continued in the second quarter. At least offensively, as Orlando failed to record a point until well over three minutes into the quarter. The bench unit had couldn’t take the lid off the basket and it allowed the Celtics to keep their lead.

From the opening tip, the Celtics displayed their defensive dominance. But Orlando matched the intensity and the first quarter was a low-scoring affair. Orlando shot a brutal 28 percent from the floor and trailed 25-16 after one. Even shorthanded and on the road, Boston attacked a struggling Magic team.

The Magic just never could find the offense to keep pace. They used a late fourth-quarter rally to make the score look respectable.

Next: Orlando Magic face reality of a lost season

The Orlando Magic have a few days off before getting back to action at the Amway Center against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.