Since January 3 and a setback in Oklahoma City, the Boston Celtics, leaders of the Eastern Conference and best team in the NBA regular season, had not lost. The Massachusetts franchise had chained nine consecutive victories. But this beautiful series of invincibility ended Monday against the Orlando Magic (113-98). If the Florida team is only 13th in the Eastern Conference, it is however very comfortable with the Celtics. Monday’s win is the third against Boston this season.
In front of his audience, the Magic entered the game well, leading by 14 points after a quarter of an hour of play (43-29, 16th). But the visitors were able to react, passing a 16-1 to their opponent and taking the lead on the scoreboard (45-44, 20th). In the second half, Orlando again stepped on the accelerator (86-73, 24th). But Boston came back to score again (97-95, 42nd). The last breakaway was finally the good one. The Magic concluded their meeting with a 16-3 which the Celtics could not face.
Isaac back after two and a half years away
To win, Orlando was able to count on Paolo Banchero (23 points) and Wendell Carter Jr, author of a double-double (21 pts and 11 rebounds), as well as on Cole Anthony, from the bench (18 pts in 23 minutes). Jonathan Isaac himself played ten minutes, scoring as many points. The Magic strong winger was playing his first game in two and a half years. In August 2020, he had suffered a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament of a knee.
For the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both scored 26 points. Despite this loss, the Massachusetts team retains control of the Eastern Conference, with five wins ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers. She will play again on Tuesday, at the Miami Heat. The Orlando Magic, for its part, will return to the NBA courts on Wednesday, receiving the Indiana Pacers.
