Playoff basketball returned to Boston on Sunday afternoon, as the Celtics opened their first round series against Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and the Orlando Magic. Earning the second-seed in the Eastern Conference, Boston matched up with the 7-seed Magic, one of the better rated defensive teams in the playoffs this postseason. It was a much different experience in the first half against Orlando, as the Celtics only scored 48 points in the first half, and shooting 15 total threes in the first half as well.
Orlando controlled the glass early in the game, grabbing 10 offensive rebounds in the first half of the game, but Boston came out with big changes to start the second half. Shooting threes often and early to begin the third quarter, Boston started to create distance with their lead.
Here’s a quick recap of Boston’s Game 1 victory over the Orlando Magic
Keys to the game:
Defense stepped up big: As it normally has come playoff time, the defensive performance by the Celtics stepped up in the first meeting between the two teams. Neither team had a big offensive first half, but then in the third quarter Boston put on the clamps, and through the first three fames the team had 11 steals, including four from Kristaps Porzingis, and they would end the game with a total of 12 steals.
Derrick White’s stat sheet: With all the attention coming in on Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White stole the spotlight in Game 1. White led the way with 30 points, 4 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal. It is a performance like the one from White that will make this team extremely dangerous in the playoffs, where opponents will have to try their best to pick their poison and who to focus on in this deep and dynamic offense.
Highlight of the game: Payton Pritchard keeps it alive, Jaylen Brown takes out frustration in big dunk
Turn up your volume 🔊 pic.twitter.com/p0wxs6X1Rx
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 20, 2025
What’s next: Game 2, vs Magic, Wednesday, April 23, 7:00PM ET on TNT/MAX
After snatching the Game 1 victory over Orlando in the second half of Sunday’s game, the two will run it back at TD Garden on Wednesday. It’ll be the only two day break between games in this series, and the second home game for the Celtics before embarking on potentially three road games in the best of 7 series. Coming out slow in the first half of this game, it’ll be a point of emphasis to watch and see how the team comes out to begin Game 2, and if they’ll have their foot on the gas from start to finish.
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts:Â https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics use big second half to snatch Game 1 from Orlando Magic
​
Playoff basketball returned to Boston on Sunday afternoon, as the Celtics opened their first round series against Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and the Orlando Magic. Earning the second-seed in the Eastern Conference, Boston matched up with the 7-seed Magic, one of the better rated defensive teams in the playoffs this postseason. It was a much different experience in the first half against Orlando, as the Celtics only scored 48 points in the first half, and shooting 15 total threes in the first half as well.
Orlando controlled the glass early in the game, grabbing 10 offensive rebounds in the first half of the game, but Boston came out with big changes to start the second half. Shooting threes often and early to begin the third quarter, Boston started to create distance with their lead.
Here’s a quick recap of Boston’s Game 1 victory over the Orlando Magic
Keys to the game:
Defense stepped up big: As it normally has come playoff time, the defensive performance by the Celtics stepped up in the first meeting between the two teams. Neither team had a big offensive first half, but then in the third quarter Boston put on the clamps, and through the first three fames the team had 11 steals, including four from Kristaps Porzingis, and they would end the game with a total of 12 steals.
Derrick White’s stat sheet: With all the attention coming in on Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White stole the spotlight in Game 1. White led the way with 30 points, 4 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal. It is a performance like the one from White that will make this team extremely dangerous in the playoffs, where opponents will have to try their best to pick their poison and who to focus on in this deep and dynamic offense.
Highlight of the game: Payton Pritchard keeps it alive, Jaylen Brown takes out frustration in big dunk
Turn up your volume 🔊 pic.twitter.com/p0wxs6X1Rx
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 20, 2025
What’s next: Game 2, vs Magic, Wednesday, April 23, 7:00PM ET on TNT/MAX
After snatching the Game 1 victory over Orlando in the second half of Sunday’s game, the two will run it back at TD Garden on Wednesday. It’ll be the only two day break between games in this series, and the second home game for the Celtics before embarking on potentially three road games in the best of 7 series. Coming out slow in the first half of this game, it’ll be a point of emphasis to watch and see how the team comes out to begin Game 2, and if they’ll have their foot on the gas from start to finish.
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts:Â https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics use big second half to snatch Game 1 from Orlando Magic
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