The Lead
Terrence Ross racked up 29 points, Paolo Banchero scored 23 in his first regular season game at Amway Center, and Cole Anthony filled up the box score with 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists, but, despite a valiant effort, the Orlando Magic came up short against the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics, 126-120, on Saturday night.
Clutch Plays
Derrick White, acquired by Boston in the middle of last season, made several big plays down the stretch for the C’s as part of his 27-point performance. First, he converted on an AND-1 driving layup with 3:35 left. A couple possessions later, he flushed home a dunk on a drive down the lane to extend Boston’s lead back to five. Moments later, he took a charge on Anthony. Jayson Tatum, who erupted for 40 points, subsequently drilled a dagger 3-pointer with 1:29 remaining.
Interesting Fact
Banchero became the fourth No. 1 overall draft pick in NBA history to score 20-plus points in his first three games. The others to accomplish this were Elvin Hayes (10 straight to start 1968-69 season), Oscar Robertson (six straight to start 1960-61 season), and Walt Bellamy (three straight to start 1961-62 season).
Key Stats
While both teams shot it well from 3-point distance – the Celtics 40.4 percent and Magic 44.1 percent – Boston knocked down four more threes than Orlando. They also made eight more free throws than the Magic. Banchero took 11 of Orlando’s 23 foul shots.
Injury Report
Jalen Suggs (sprained right ankle), Markelle Fultz (toe), Moe Wagner (sprained right midfoot), Gary Harris (left knee rehabilitation), and Jonathan Isaac (left knee rehabilitation) were unavailable for the Magic. Al Horford (back), Robert Williams III (knee), and Danilo Gallinari (knee) were out for the Celtics.
Quote of the Day
“The thing about Paolo is that he’s just going to play the right way. I don’t know that you put an expectation on him for whatever he’s going to be. Obviously, there’s going to be that (publicity and exposure) for the number one pick. But the way in which he plays just speaks for itself. He’s going to always try do the right thing. Whatever happens within the game, it’s just him trying to do the right thing. That’s just his talent level kind of just takes it there.” – Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley on Banchero
This Day in History
This wasn’t the first time the Magic and Celtics played on an Oct. 22. In 2018, they played up in Boston, where Orlando pulled out a thrilling victory behind double-doubles from Nikola Vucevic (24 points, 12 rebounds) and Isaac (18 points, 12 rebounds). Isaac, then just in his second year in the NBA, made a huge shot with 53 seconds left that put the Magic up five. Kyrie Irving led Boston with 22 points, while Horford had 15.
Rivals Report
Do the Celtics have the best duo in the league right now with Tatum and Jaylen Brown? Other tandems in that conversation include the Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the Pelicans’ Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, the Nets’ Kevin Durant and Irving, the Sixers’ Joel Embiid and James Harden, the Lakers’ LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. It’s just wild that this time a year ago many questioned whether Tatum and Brown’s chemistry was good enough for Boston to commit to both for the long haul. That debate seems archaic now.
Up Next
The Magic head back out on the road for two games, starting Monday in New York where they will take on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden at 7:30 p.m. Orlando had great success playing in the world’s most famous arena last season, winning both times they stepped on that floor. Ironically enough, the Magic played there on the same day last year (Oct. 24) and prevailed behind a dazzling 29-point, 16-rebound, and eight-assist performance from Anthony. The Magic won again at MSG on Nov. 17. Ross led all scorers that night with 19 points.