Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 105, Boston Celtics 103
The Orlando Magic had every reason to put their heads down early. But they found their fight again and got a crucial win over the Boston Celtics.
18. 105. 38. Final. 103
Aaron Gordon easily could have put his head down after the first two minutes of the game. He got called for a foul against Jayson Tatum on the first possession after his block attempt put him out of position for a rebound. A few possessions later, he extended his arm and got called for an offensive foul.
The Orlando Magic have had this air of a team fearing a return to the team’s frustrating past. Coming off this 1-5 road trip, the season seemed to be heading in the wrong direction and precariously close to the edge.
And this game seemed to be heading in the same direction. Gordon was in early foul trouble. The Orlando Magic found it difficult to crack a stout Boston Celtics defense. The team was settling for mid-range jumpers and struggling to keep the ball moving. Boston opened a 10-point lead that Orlando never seemed able to crack.
This is not how the Magic want their season to go. With half of the schedule still remaining, the team still has plenty to say about it. If Game 42 is any indication, the Magic might be able to help turn things around.
Aaron Gordon was chief among them, exploding for 28 points and getting to the foul line to make all 13 of his attempts. He helped lead a bench unit that was suddenly alive and producing, rescuing the Magic and giving it the spunk and edge it needed.
Orlando climbed into the lead and held on a late Boston rally, withstanding some poor games from key starters. And in the end, Wesley Iwundu stared down Jayson Tatum and got the stop to give the Magic a 105-103 win over the Celtics at Amway Center on Saturday.
Orlando scored 64 points against the strong Boston defense in the second half, getting out on the break and forcing its way to the line. The Magic did have to hold on at the end, losing a nine-point lead with 1:38 left and giving the Celtics a chance to win. But Orlando rediscovered some of the resilience that characterized their play early in the season.
At least for one night.
B+. Aaron Gordon has not had that big offensive game this year. This is the more than fair criticism of his season so far and a part of the attack. Orlando needs him to be a bit more aggressive. This was one of the first games where he kept up his aggression and his smarts for the entire game. There was no break in how Gordon attacked the basket. Even if there were still a few hiccups in the process.<p>Gordon finished with 28 points, making all 13 of his free throws and adding 12 rebounds for good measure. He kept the pressure on the defense throughout the game. And even as Orlando was struggling offensively, Gordon was going to press the issue.</p><p>Sometimes it was a bit too much. He had six turnovers in the game. That was a sign of how he was sometimes reckless and sometimes forcing things. Gordon is still figuring out the best balance to his playmaking and his aggression. But Orlando needed him to have a scorer’s mentality and he did.</p>. F. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON
A. The Orlando Magic were once again without <a href=. C. Orlando Magic. KHEM BIRCH
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Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC. C+. At halftime, Aaron Gordon told the FOX Sports Florida broadcast the team needed to get the ball into <a href=. C
The Boston Celtics had control of the game throughout. Their first half was one of a slow burn. They built their lead and seemed able to keep the Magic at a distance. This was a game Boston should have felt like it could win and could fix some of the woes that have kept the team from reaching its potential.<p>The Magic never went away. And despite Orlando’s struggles, Boston never put the team away. So when the Magic found their energy in the second half, the Celtics struggled to get themselves refocused and get it all back. Boston nearly came back to win the game in the final two minutes, showing their major talent advantage. But that snap to attention was far too late.</p><p>The Celtics lacked a good rhythm throughout the game. It felt like everyone had their turn — <a rel=. 25-17. 5th East. BOSTON CELTICS. C
Next. 5 questions for the third quarter of the season. dark
The Orlando Magic are right back to action Sunday as they take on the Houston Rockets at the Amway Center.