Orlando Magic Grades: Boston Celtics 100, Orlando Magic 75
The Orlando Magic saw their strong preseason come crashing down as their offense cratered in a loss to the Boston Celtics on the home floor.
Things started off so well for the Orlando Magic.
Jonathan Isaac crowded Jayson Tatum and forced him to double-clutch, giving Mohamed Bamba enough time to come over and block the shot. It was a strong defensive statement for the Magic. One they are used to making and the one that gives opponents fear about this frontcourt.
That was about the best moment for the Magic throughout the entire game. The Boston Celtics kept the Orlando Magic frustrated throughout a 100-75 dismantling at the Amway Center in preseason action.
Boston kept forcing turnovers and kept pushing right back at Orlando after every missed shot. And there were plenty of missed shots throughout this one.
The Celtics made the Magic pay for every mistake — 22 points off 21 turnovers — and ran on the Magic before their defense could get set with 27 fast-break points. That hurt the Magic as they continued a frustrating trend from their win Wednesday. Orlando did not move the ball effectively, forced drives and struggled to get much going.
Orlando shot just 31.3 percent from the floor. Boston scored the first 11 points and led 22-2 at one point. The game, for as much as the result mattered, was over fairly early. The Magic never cut the lead to within 20 points in the second half.
It was not like anyone was finding much of a rhythm offensively. Aaron Gordon, taking the lead with Nikola Vucevic out with an ankle injury, missed his first 13 shots. The fluidity that characterized the Magic through the first two preseason games was certainly not present.
Orlando could still count on a few good things defensively. The Magic recovered from the early shock to give up just 100 points and 41.9 percent shooting overall. But the Celtics hit on 52.3 percent of their shots in the first half. The defense struggled and their poor play in transition getting back and tracking players only made things worse.
This was a game where the team’s inability to hit shots only made things worse. The Celtics were more than happy to take advantage and attack a Magic team scrambling to find its footing.
It is just a preseason game. So it ultimately does not matter. But now that hole is exposed more clearly to work through.
The Orlando Magic continue their preseason Sunday at the Amway Center against the Philadelphia 76ers.