Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics (Jan. 2, 2022): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic open up 2022 with some good news on the injury front as they slowly come out of their pandemic absences.
Orlando Magic (7-29) at Boston Celtics (17-19)
Time/TV: 6 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-CELTICS ON FUBO TV
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Line via WynnBet: Celtics by 11.5
Tickets: $10-$333 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: Celtics 92, Magic 79 in Orlando on Nov. 3; Tonight in Boston; Feb. 6 in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 98.6 | 103.2 | 113.1 | 49.5 | 26.8 | 15.1 | 22.5 |
| Boston | 98.0 | 108.3 | 107.5 | 51.1 | 27.8 | 14.0 | 24.3 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic have gone through a lot since that first meeting in early November. The team was still figuring itself out at that point. But that game still stands out with one of the worst quarters of the season. The Magic saw their lead disappear with a 21-0 run in the third quarter and they never recovered. The fact the score was so low probably hurt as the Magic kept the game tantalizingly close. Orlando still has those long stretches where the team just struggles.
Both teams are very different. The Celtics are still seemingly in inconsistent crisis but have had their own issues with health and safety protocols that they are on the way out. So too are the Magic. They seem set to get guys back from injury and they might finally see their roster healthy.
Still, good luck predicting what anyone will get. Boston has still gotten strong play from Jaylen Brown and picked up a nice win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday afternoon. Robert Williams’ triple-double was a stunning part of that game. That broke a three-game losing streak largely without Jayson Tatum.
Orlando has played better of late and integrating some players back should help some too.
38. 104. 18. Prediction. 101
3 Keys To Watch
Back from Protocols
The Orlando Magic are desperate to get guys back from injury and health and safety protocols. While Cole Anthony remains out with his sprained ankle, the Magic are getting some guys back very very soon.
Terrence Ross, who was out of protocols and in reconditioning for Thursday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, is now off the injury report. He will be available to play.
Orlando certainly can use the threat of his shooting. Before he went into protocols, Ross scored 15.4 points per game and shot 44.2-percent from the floor in the seven games before his absence. He had turned something of a corner, even if his 3-point shooting has still struggled. Orlando has been hurting in the seven games he has missed.
The Magic are also near some more relief.
Mo Bamba, Hassani Gravett and Mychal Mulder are also in the return to play conditioning part of their recoveries. They are each QUESTIONABLE for Sunday’s game. Orlando is certainly glad to have the depth back as they appear near the end of this COVID wave (only Chuma Okeke, Robin Lopez and Markelle Fultz remain in the health and safety protocols now).
Inconsistent Celtics
The Boston Celtics have seemingly gone from one crisis to another this year. They have been unable to find their center. Their roster has just not gelled together.
When the Orlando Magic faced the Boston Celtics the last time, the Celtics were publicly calling each other out. That message was momentarily received. But it has still been an up-and-down journey for the team.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are still putting up numbers — 25.6 points and 23.1 points per game respectively. They still have a ton of weapons and offensive potential, even if it grinds to a halt as they settle for isolations instead of moving the ball effectively — Boston is 20th in assist rate.
Nobody ever knows what the Celtics are going to do each game.
Offensive crawl
The Orlando Magic have been down their best offensive player for a while in Cole Anthony. The team is still not winning or competing into fourth quarters consistently. The Magic are only fractions of the team they want to be at this point. So it is hard to look at the full picture.
But Orlando’s offense is starting to pick up some steam. And that is exciting with the prospect of Cole Anthony’s return eventually and the near-future return of Markelle Fultz.
In the seven games since Anthony first got hurt, the Magic are averaging 106.6 points per 100 possessions. That is still in the bottom 10 in the league. But it is a marked improvement over the team’s overall season numbers. And how much better would that be with Anthony in there and healthy?
dark. Next. Wendell Carter steps into the lead to organize Orlando Magic
That is what the Magic are hoping for that something is clicking on that end. Orlando has played a lot more fluid and focused offensively and that is a positive sign as the team continues to grow.