Magic Defeat Celtics in NBA Cup Opener
The Orlando Magic won against the Boston Celtics 123-110 in their NBA Cup opener on Friday night.
Key Performers
- Franz Wagner led the Magic with 27 points.
- Desmond Bane contributed 22 points and seven assists.
- Paolo Banchero added 15 points and nine rebounds.
- Wendell Carter Jr. scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds.
- Jaylen Brown was top scorer for the Celtics with 32 points.
- Payton Pritchard scored 27 points, and Derrick White had 16 points with 10 assists for Boston.
Game Highlights
Orlando opened strong with a 20-2 run, including three-pointers from Wagner, Tristan da Silva, and Anthony Black, creating a 16-point lead in the first quarter— their biggest advantage of the game.
The Celtics fought back, tying the score in the second half and briefly leading 96-95 when Brown made a jumper midway through the fourth quarter.
“Brown scored 14 straight points for Boston before taking a six-minute break with 2:20 remaining in the third quarter.”
Wagner, Bane, and Carter Jr. responded with crucial three-pointers in a 17-4 run that sealed the victory for Orlando.
Anfernee Simons scored all 11 of his points early in the fourth quarter, keeping Boston competitive until the closing minutes.
Tournament Context
The Celtics and Magic are part of the East Group B in the NBA's in-season tournament, alongside Brooklyn, Detroit, and Philadelphia. This marked their first encounter since Boston eliminated Orlando in a five-game first-round playoff series last April.
Team Shooting Statistics
- Orlando shot 50% overall.
- They made 17 of 36 three-point attempts (47.2%).
- Boston converted 13 of 37 three-pointers (35%).
Author's summary: The Orlando Magic showcased strong offense and critical runs to secure a 123-110 win over the Celtics in the NBA Cup opener, marking a competitive rematch since last season's playoffs.