(http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1364000/ff_1364204_xl.jpg&w=200) at (http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1364000/ff_1364198_xl.jpg&w=200)
Orlando Magic (27-48) at Boston Celtics (48-27)
Friday, March 31, 2017
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #76, Home Game #38
TV: CSNNE, FSFL, NBA-LP 756(DTV), 754(xfinity)
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, ESPN 580 AM
TD Garden
(http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/336623/2587354586_9eb59b3cd9.jpg)
Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
(http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/statscube/players/large/isaiah_thomas.png) vs (http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/statscube/players/large/elfrid_payton.png)
Isaiah Thomas vs Elfrid Payton
Shooting Guard
(http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/statscube/players/large/avery_bradley.png) vs (http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/statscube/players/large/evan_fournier.png)
Avery Bradley vs Evan Fournier
Small Forward
(http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/statscube/players/large/jae_crowder.png) vs (http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/statscube/players/large/terrence_ross.png)
Jae Crowder vs Terrence Ross
Power Forward
(http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/statscube/players/large/amir_johnson.png) vs (http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/statscube/players/large/aaron_gordon.png)
Amir Johnson vs Aaron Gordon
Center
(http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nba/players/full/3213.png&w=250&h=180) vs (http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/statscube/players/large/nikola_vucevic.png)
Al Horford vs Nikola Vucevic
(http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/76/7628/MFPF300Z/posters/boston-celtics-td-garden-2012.jpg)
(http://i.usatoday.net/_common/_images/_sports/logos/nba/celtics_50t.png) Reserves
Jaylen Brown
Gerald Green
Terry Rozier
James Young
Jonas Jerebko
Tyler Zeller
Kelly Olynyk
Demetrius Jackson
Jordan Mickey
Marcus Smart
Injuries
Jonas Jerebko (knee) game time decision
Head Coach
Brad Stevens
Magic Reserves
DJ Augustin
Bismack Biyombo
Mario Hezonja
Jodie Meeks
Damjan Rudez
CJ Watson
CJ Wilcox
Stephen Zimmerman
Injuries
Jeff Green (back) game time decision
Head Coach
Frank Vogel
Game Notes
The Celtics host the Orlando Magic for the 3rd and final meeting between the Celtics and Magic this season. These two teams were 2-2 last season. The Magic have lost 2 straight and 7 of their last 10. The Celtics are 7-3 in their last 10 games and are looking to close out their home stand with a win. The Celtics are 27-10 at home while the Magic are 13-24 on the road.
The Celtics won both games so far this season. They won 127-98 in Boston on January 27. They also won in Orlando 117-87 on December 7. The Magic are 12-42 all time against the Celtics. They have lost 12 straight in Boston.
Jonas Jerebko is a game time decision for the Celtics with a knee injury. Former Celtic Jeff Green is a game time decision with back soreness. The Magic traded Serge Ibaka at the trade deadline and so have a different look than they did the last time these two teams met.
Standings Reset
With the loss to the Bulls on Thursday night, the Celtics once again move half a game in front of the Cavaliers for first in the East. The Wizards and Raptors both lost on Wednesday and so Washington remains 2 games back of the Celtics and the Raptors remain 3 games back. Milwaukee and Atlanta are both 9 games back.
Games to Watch Indiana at Toronto, Philadelphia at Cleveland, Washington at Utah
Key Matchups
(http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/statscube/players/large/isaiah_thomas.png) vs (http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/statscube/players/large/elfrid_payton.png)
Isaiah Thomas vs Elfrid Payton
Payton is averaging 12.5 points, 6.1 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals. He is quick and will try to limit Isaiah's looks at the basket. He also has a size advantage and may try to use that to challenge Isaiah's defense.
(http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nba/players/full/3213.png&w=250&h=180) vs (http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/statscube/players/large/nikola_vucevic.png)
Al Horford vs Nikola Vucevic
Vucevic gives the Magic length to protect the paint. He is averaging 14.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists. The Celtics need to box him out, to keep him from getting rebounds and second chance baskets. They also need to keep him out of the paint to keep him from getting layups.
Honorable Mention
Avery Bradley vs Evan Fournier
Fournier has given the Celtics problems in the past. It will be up Avery to keep him from having a big game in this one. He is averaging 16.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Avery will need to stay with him beyond the arc or he will make them pay.
Keys to the Game
Defense - Defense wins games pure and simple. It seemed as though the Celtics had found their gritty defense during this home stand but then they let it slip once again against the Bucks. They need to get back into the mindset of making defense their priority and once again play tough team defense.
Rebound - The Celtics have to crash the boards in order to give themselves extra possessions as well as to prevent the Magic from getting second chance points and fast breaks. The Magic are averaging 43.2 rebounds per game. The Celtics need to work hard to beat the Magic to the rebounds.
Be Aggressive - The Celtics need to be the more aggressive team. They must be the first to loose balls and rebounds, and they have to be aggressive in driving to the basket and not always settling for jumpers. They must be aggressive on defense and set the tone for the game. They have to play like they want it more.
Move the Ball Carefully - The Celtics have to move the ball and find the open man. But in moving the ball, they have to make careful passes and not get sloppy. The Magic will make the Celtics pay if they don't value every possession. The Celtics play much better when they keep the ball moving and don't play hero ball.
Play 48 Minutes - The Celtics have to get off to a good start and build a lead and then not let up until the final buzzer. They have to be ready for every Magic run and meet it with defense and then make their own runs. They have to play from opening tip till final buzzer with no let up.
X-Factors
Bench Play - The Celtics bench struggled against the Bucks and the Celtics will need more out of them in this game. The Magic's reserves are averaging 35.4 points per game this season and so the Celtics reserves have to give them more than they did on Wednesday.
Officiating Factor - Officiating will be an X-Factor for every game. Every crew has their own way of calling the games and they have their own agendas. Will they call it fairly or in favor of one team or the other? Will they let them play or call every little minor contact? The way the game is called always has an effect on the players and the way they play. The Celtics have to be able to adjust to however the refs call it.