The Boston Celtics secured a significant victory against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden this past Friday, breaking a four-game losing streak against the Magic in the process. Despite the challenges of playing on the back end of a back-to-back and missing their top three centers in Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Kristaps Porzingis the Celtics were surprisingly resilient in the 128-111 win over Orlando, going small and fast to rattle the Magic’s expectations.
And it wasn’t just fans of the ball club who were pleasantly surprised by what sounded like a scheduled loss on Friday given how Boston has fared in recent games vs. the Magic. Star forward Jaylen Brown was very pleased with how his team responded to the situation.
“I think this is the biggest game of the year so far,” said the Georgia native postgame.
New episode of the Celtics Lab Podcast on YouTube, via @CelticsCLNS ☘️🧪📺
Previewing all the latest NBA trade buzz with @ASherrodblakely
Sponsored by: @FDSportsbook https://t.co/0gEAFTB5iG
— Celtics Lab Podcast (@CelticsLab) December 13, 2023
“In my opinion, for us, I think one we had a bunch of guys out and were on a back-to-back versus a team that’s been kicking our (expletive) the last four or five times we played,” he suggested. “I think this was the biggest game to me so far.”
With the bench putting up a season-high 47 points and six players scoring in double figures, that speed, ball movement, and focus helped the Celtics secure the win, Boston turning over Orlando 21 times to their own 10.
Lamar Stevens credits teammates for helping him succeed in limited role https://t.co/xJoFzhqKLn pic.twitter.com/ebXaqTDxRP
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 16, 2023
“I think we came out, even though they came out swinging like the first shot they took was a 3 (…),” added Brown.
“But we took those punches and kept throwing punches back and that’s what we want to instill in our guys. We fight, we make it hard for you, we play the game the right way.”
Seeing the Celtics weather the storm down so many big men was a reassuring site for fans, to be sure. And while the team may still need to address that thin frontcourt depth, if Boston can manage to play this way when the chips are down, the odds of hanging a banner this summer are looking better than ever.
PHOTOS: Boston vs. Orlando – Celtics wallop Magic 128-111 despite thin frontcourt https://t.co/NbYsyXylIA pic.twitter.com/hQGaYlx8fM
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 16, 2023
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ
