Magic Wands: Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics — Jan. 12, 2019
The Orlando Magic return home as they begin the second half of the season against a strong Boston Celtics team that has found its groove this season.
Boston Celtics (25-16) vs. Orlando Magic (17-24)
Time/TV: 7 p.m./FOX Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-CELTICS ON FUBO TV
Line: Celtics by 6.5
Tickets: $55-$483 on Vivid Seats
2019 Season Series: Magic 93, Celtics 90 in Boston on Oct. 22; Tonight in Orlando; April 7 in Boston
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | 100.1 | 110.8 | 104.5 | 53.3 | 26.3 | 13.1 | 21.8 |
| Orlando | 98.4 | 104.1 | 108.4 | 50.5 | 24.6 | 14.1 | 21.6 |
1) The Orlando Magic are not pushing the panic button after a frustrating 1-5 road trip as the Playoffs remain within reach, Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel writes. The Orlando Magic believe they are still in the hunt and are confident they will get back on track, John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com writes.
2) Josh Robbins of The Athletic offers his grades for the Orlando Magic so far this season. Sekou Smith of NBA.com hands the Magic a C- for their season so far. Garrett Townsend of Orlando Pinstriped Post looks at who and what is trending up and down for the Magic.
3) The Orlando Magic are fighting a crisis of confidence at the midpoint of the season with plenty still to fight for, Josh Robbins of The Athletic writes.
4) The third quarter of the season will bring a ton of questions for the Orlando Magic for both the short-term and the long-term.
5) The Orlando Magic are stuck in basketball Purgatory as they cannot decide whether to push for the Playoffs or tank for the Lottery once again, Mike Cali of Orlando Pinstriped Post writes.
6) The Orlando Magic are fighting their past demons as they reach the midpoint of the season.
7) The New Orleans Pelicans could be one of the many teams interested in Terrence Ross as the trade deadline approaches, Sean Deveney of The Sporting News reports.
8) The Orlando Magic lack consistency as a team, but Nikola Vucevic has been the team’s anchor and rock once again.
9) Jonathan Isaac still has loads of potential but what his future has not taken root in the present quite yet.
10) Zach Lowe of ESPN is still waiting for Aaron Gordon the offensive player to emerge.
11) A fan video captured an altercation on the bench between Marcus Morris Jr. and Jaylen Brown as the Boston Celtics struggled against the Miami Heat. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge says not to read too much into it, Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald reports.
12) The Orlando Magic’s point guard problem is reaching a crisis point.
13) The Orlando Magic’s current losing streak has left them asking themselves questions that have no evident answers.
14) Marcus Morris Jr. is putting together a masterful shooting season, Ryan Eggers of Hardwood Houdini writes.
15) Aaron Gordon is trying to be more efficient, John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com writes. His involvement in the offense is vital to recovering the team’s scoring, Spencer Henderson writes.
16) The Orlando Magic’s cap space is hard to figure and depends wholly on what they do with Nikola Vucevic and Terrence Ross, Danny Leroux of The Athletic writes.
17) R.J. Hunter is happy to have a second chance with the Boston Celtics after his recent call-up from the G-League, Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald writes. Hunter put together an impressive run with the Erie BayHawks to get back on the NBA’s radar, John Karalis of Mass Live writes.
18) There is a major disconnect in the theory the Boston Celtics should trade Jaylen Brown, CelticsWC of Hardwood Houdini writes.
19) Brendon Kleen of The Step Back has the Orlando Magic taking Texas Tech wing Jarrett Culver in their midseason mock draft.