Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 116, Boston Celtics 108
The Orlando Magic clinched a spot in the playoffs holding off the Boston Celtics and executing down the stretch behind their two longest-tenured players.
18. Final. 116. 38. 108
The Orlando Magic were suddenly on the ropes. Their 14-point deficit had been cut to one and the crowd in the TD Garden was starting to swell to push the Boston Celtics to a win to keep their hopes of finishing third alive.
The Orlando Magic were fighting for a playoff berth and looking to avoid a must-win situation on the road against the Charlotte Hornets on the final day of the season. The pressure was ramped up. Orlando could not let another double-digit deficit slip away and go struggling into that must-win game.
Orlando had to make its stand. It had to make its statement. The team had to do what it needed to make the playoffs, reaching deep down and finding the way.
Evan Fournier delivered with a dunk over Aron Baynes. Then Michael Carter-Williams delivered a block on a Jaylen Brown 3-pointer. Aaron Gordon put the finishing touches as the spark to a 10-2 run, taking a pass from Nikola Vucevic for a lay in.
Orlando did not need to rely on anyone else to get the team to its first playoff berth in seven years. The team took care of business itself with a 116-108 victory at TD Garden on Sunday.
The joy and energy after the game were palpable. For longtime Magic players Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier, it felt like catharsis. The team had finally achieved what they had worked so hard for.
It helped too that Vucevic and Fournier were so instrumental in pulling this game out.
Vucevic was the only guy who had anything rolling in the first half. His 19 points in the first half were vital to the Magic.
Orlando recovered from the early struggles and found its groove to take a lead of its own. Terrence Ross sure helps with that.
Then it was Fournier finishing the Celtics off at the end of the game. His poise late was the reason the Magic withstood the Celtics final flurry.
That is how the Magic ended their playoff drought.
C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC. A-. Nikola Vucevic was the reason the Orlando Magic are in the position they are. He has been steady for the team throughout the year and the most important offensive player. With so much riding on this game, the Magic turned to their All-Star to get the job done. And he stepped up early.<p>It was not just the 19 first-half points he scored that kept the Magic on pace as they struggled. He was chasing rebounds and doing everything he could to make sure the Magic won. He was not going to mess around and give less than his all.</p><p>Orlando got a very good version of Vucevic. Especially while the team was struggling. He stayed active defensively and did a solid job allowing Aron Baynes to shoot and contesting <a rel=
A-. The Orlando Magic have consistently turned to Evan Fournier late in games. When the chips are down and they need a good shot, they give it to Fournier and trust him to make not only a good decision but to make a winning play. That is where the Magic turned in the final minutes after the Boston Celtics tied it at 106.<p>In the biggest moment for the Magic, Fournier delivered in the biggest way. He broke the tie and was involved in the next play that seemed to put the Boston Celtics completely away. He was the closer once again.</p><p>Fournier scored 24 points on 8-for-16 shooting. He did a fantastic job squeezing his way through the defense and finding holes to get his shot off. He worked in and around the defense effectively. All the while providing mostly solid defense. Fournier was the star at the end and delivered the Magic their playoff berth.</p>. G/F. Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER
B+. Where would the Orlando Magic be without <a href=. G/F. Orlando Magic. TERRENCE ROSS
B+. Everything Nikola Vucevic seemed to be doing offensively, <a href=. F. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON
48-33. 4th East. BOSTON CELTICS. B. The Boston Celtics wanted this game. This was a competitive and tight game between two playoff teams who both had a lot on the line. The Boston Celtics were battling for playoff positioning as much as the Orlando Magic were also battling for their playoff lives. It had all the intensity of a playoff game for the most part.<p>The Celtics were able to work for good shots and defend at a high level for a good chunk of the game. They lost some of their intensity only as injuries hit them. And maybe Brad Stevens held back some players more than he should.</p><p>That would have fooled Kyrie Irving and Jaylen Brown late in the game. They went into serious mode and guided the Celtics back into it. Boston forced turnovers and had its chances to win. The Magic locked in more as the game wore on and Irving could not hit shots. Neither could <a href=
The Magic conclude the regular season Wednesday against the Hornets at the Spectrum Center.
Next. The Orlando Magic never backed down, now they are playoff bound. dark
With the win, the Magic have clinched a playoff spot. They are tied with the Brooklyn Nets for sixth. With one win or one Detroit Pistons loss, the Orlando Magic will clinch the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference.