Boston Celtics mystified by depleted Magic, lose 108-104 on road

On By Littum

The Boston Celtics followed up their revenge win over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday (December 21) at the United Center with more road action against the Orlando Magic Monday (December 23) evening. With the Magic down for several of their key players in both Moritz and Franz Wagner, as well as forward Paolo Banchero, the potential for a trap game for Boston was obvious.

The Celtics started the contest by picking at each of a beleaguered Orlando team’s many weak spots on the floor, jumping out to an early 14-point lead. The Magic cut Boston’s lead to single digits in the early part of the third quarter around the same time Celtics forward Jayson Tatum was ruled out of the game with a non-COVID illness.

Orlando briefly took the lead late in the penultimate frame and took a multi-possession lead to start the fourth, which they would hold on to and extend when a kerfuffle broke out late in the quarter between Kristaps Porzingis, Jalen Suggs and Goga Bitadze, who ended with the Orlando big man getting ejected.

Add in a missed Coaches Challenge for Boston and a late dagger 3 as regulation neared its end, and the Celtics simply ran out of time to make a finish they should have seen coming from a mile away, and Boston lost 108-104.

The Celtics take on the Philadelphia 76ers next Christmas Day at the TD Garden this Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25th. Let’s take a look at the best plays from tonight’s game while we wait for the Celtics’ next game to arrive.

December 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) is guarded by Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (23) during the first quarter at the Kia Center. Mandatory credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesDecember 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) is guarded by Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (23) during the first quarter at the Kia Center. Mandatory credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

December 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) is guarded by Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (23) during the first quarter at the Kia Center. Mandatory credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

December 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) is guarded by Orlando Magic guard Trevelin Queen (12) during the first quarter at the Kia Center. Mandatory crediting: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesDecember 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) is guarded by Orlando Magic guard Trevelin Queen (12) in the first quarter at the Kia Center. Mandatory credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

December 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) is guarded by Orlando Magic guard Trevelin Queen (12) in the first quarter at the Kia Center. Mandatory credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

December 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) is guarded by Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (23) during the first quarter at the Kia Center. Mandatory credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesDecember 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) is guarded by Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (23) during the first quarter at the Kia Center. Mandatory credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

December 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) is guarded by Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (23) during the first quarter at the Kia Center. Mandatory credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

December 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic in the first quarter at the Kia Center. Mandatory credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesDecember 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic in the first quarter at the Kia Center. Mandatory credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

December 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic in the first quarter at the Kia Center. Mandatory credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

December 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic in the first quarter at the Kia Center. Mandatory credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesDecember 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic in the first quarter at the Kia Center. Mandatory credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

December 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic in the first quarter at the Kia Center. Mandatory credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast at:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics mystified by depleted Magic, lose 108-104 on road