Tonight the Orlando Magic begin a back to back starting in Boston against the Celtics.
Tip-off at TD Garden is at 11:00 pm here in the UK (6:00 pm Eastern time for our friends in Orlando). You can find all of the dates and tip-off times over on our Schedule page.
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Previous Games
Thursday 30th December – Milwaukee Bucks 136 – 118 Orlando Magic
Magic Top Performers – Franz Wagner coming off a career high on Tuesday continues to impress finishing with 20 points on 6/12 from the field including two three-pointers.
His brother Moritz Wagner poured in 19 points off the bench despite struggling from beyond the arc (1/8), Gary Harris had 17 points, 15 points for R.J. Hampton off the bench and Wendell Carter Jr finished with a double-double 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists.
Friday 31st December – Boston Celtics 123 – 108 Phoenix Suns
Boston is coming off an impressive win at home against the Phoenix Suns, the team with the second best record in the NBA.
Marcus Smart returned from injury to give the Celtics a big boost as he led the team in scoring along with Jaylen Brown, both finished with 24 points.
Josh Richardson scored 19 points off the bench and Romeo Langford finished with 16 points.
Season Records
The Orlando Magic is 7-29 sitting 14th in the Eastern Conference, winners of just 3 out of the last 21 games. The Magic is 2-13 at the Amway Center and 5-16 on the road.
Orlando is 27th in points per game (101.7) and 25th in opponents points per game (111.5).
The Boston Celtics are 17-19 in 9th place in the Eastern Conference, tied with the New York Knicks, they have only won 4 of their last 10 games, but despite a losing record, they’re 10-7 at TD Garden this season.
The Celtics are 15th in points per game (108.0) and 14th in opponents points per game (107.0).
Head-To-Head – Boston Celtics
Head to head the Boston Celtics lead 70-51 in regular season games and Orlando have had their struggles over the last 3 seasons, losing 7 straight.
The last Magic win over the Celtics was 7th April 2019, that famous win in Boston that secured a Playoff spot for Orlando.
Tonight is the second of three meetings with Boston this season, Orlando lost 92-79 back in November and we’ll see them again on Sunday 6th February at the Amway Center.
Back in November Orlando had their issues offensively getting outscored 31-10 in the third quarter, a tired effort having played 4 games in 6 days.
Wendell Carter Jr had himself a 13 point, 13 rebound double double and Cole Anthony also finished with 13 points that night.
Our Opponents – Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are led by first year Head Coach Ime Udoka, who spent last season as an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets.
Jayson Tatum (25.6 PPG) and Jaylen Brown (23.1 PPG) lead the Celtics in scoring, like Orlando, Boston have had their struggles of late with several injuries and players being placed in NBA Health and Safety Protocols.
According to ESPN, Jayson Tatum and Enes Kanter are both OUT of tonight’s game under NBA Health and Safety Protocols, whilst Robert Williams III is listed as DAY-TO-DAY.
Injury Report – Orlando Magic
The Magic have potentially 10 players available tonight in Boston: Ignas Brazdeikis, Wendell Carter Jr, Tim Frazier, Freddie Gillespie, RJ Hampton, Gary Harris, Terrence Ross, Admiral Schofield, Franz Wagner and Moe Wagner.
According to ESPN, Orlando has 11 players unavailable, all currently listed as OUT.
Markelle Fultz has entered NBA Health and Safety Protocols, so Magic fans will have to wait even longer for Markelle’s return.
The other players also in NBA Health and Safety Protocols are Mychal Mulder, Robin Lopez, Hassani Gravett and Chuma Okeke.
Cole Anthony is out again for management of his ankle injury.
Mo Bamba continues to work on his conditioning after leaving NBA Health and Safety Protocols.
Jalen Suggs is out with a fractured right thumb. He will be out for “an extended period of time” and is said to be progressing steadily.
E’Twaun Moore remains out with a sprained left knee.
Michael Carter-Williams is out after surgery to remove a bone fragment and repair his left ankle ligament.
Jonathan Isaac continues to be out as he rehabilitates from a left knee ACL injury that saw him miss all of last season. He is said to be making great and steady progress but is not yet cleared for contact.
Check Out Other Orlando Magic UK Content
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Mikey’s Final Thoughts
On this weeks episode of the Penny For Your Thoughts podcast, I circled tonight’s game as one of two I think the Orlando Magic can win this week.
Boston will be without their leading scorer Jayson Tatum who is in NBA Health and Safety Protocols, missing him will definitely give this Magic team a lift.
We’ve seen against the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks this week in back to back games, this shorthanded Orlando Magic will compete and fight.
We will need another big night from Franz Wagner who posted a career high 38 points on Tuesday vs Bucks and if we’re to walk away with a win tonight, we need another big performance from the German.
The Magic may get a boost tonight from the bench, Terrence Ross is no longer on the injury report and may feature tonight. Orlando has had their offensive struggles when breaking the starting unit, getting T-Ross back will help.
On Saturday the Magic announced they’ve signed Tim Frazier and Freddie Gillespie to a second 10-day contract, both originally signed via hardship exceptions.
Frazier had his best game in a Magic uniform on Thursday with 13 points and 5 assists, if he starts tonight, we need more production from the point guard position a position we’re very shorthanded in.
Meanwhile, I have to say I like what I’ve seen from Freddie Gillespie, an energetic big many have said they’d like to see stick around, perhaps on a 2-way contract, something I’d like to see too.
Orlando will have to do a better job rebounding the ball tonight, Boston is 7th in total rebounds, something the Magic struggled with against Milwaukee.
The Celtics are 5th in offensive rebounding, limiting them to one possession will be key defensively, so we can get out in transition and attack the Celtics on fast breaks, something R.J. Hampton loves to do off the bench.
Will Boston take it easy tonight after a big win versus the Phoenix Suns? Can the Magic string four solid quarters together? Let’s snap this four game losing skid and knock off the Boston Celtics.
Go Magic
