JUST IN: Joe Mazzulla Honest verdict on Celtics’ Loss to Magic

The Boston Celtics were defeated 113-96 by the Orlando Magic in the In-Season Tournament despite missing several starters. Jrue Holiday was out with an ankle sprain, and Kristaps Porzingis left the game with left calf tightness. Jaylen Brown had a good first half, but he and Jayson Tatum had quiet games.

The Magic’s premier defense continued to shine as they held the Celtics to under 100 points for their sixth consecutive victory. Boston was outrebounded by Orlando by 17. The Celtics couldn’t get anything going in the second half against the Magic’s defense, missing ten free throws. Worse, the visitor’s performance was subpar.

The Boston Celtics were defeated 113-96 by the Orlando Magic in the In-Season Tournament despite missing several starters. Jrue Holiday was out with an ankle sprain, and Kristaps Porzingis left the game with left calf tightness. Jaylen Brown had a good first half, but he and Jayson Tatum had quiet games.

The Magic’s premier defense continued to shine as they held the Celtics to under 100 points for their sixth consecutive victory. Boston was outrebounded by Orlando by 17. The Celtics couldn’t get anything going in the second half against the Magic’s defense, missing ten free throws. Worse, the visitor’s performance was subpar.

Mazzulla also discussed how the Celtics became complacent after playing solid basketball for the most part.

“And we came down and threw a lazy pass and turned it over, and then we got a take foul, and then, before you know it, it’s a different game,” he said. “That team makes great runs like that, and we just didn’t execute, and you have to guard them in transition.” They excel at transition play, getting to the free throw line, and offensive rebounding. So, tonight, we did a good job on free throws, a bad job in transition, and a bad job on the offensive glass.”

The Celtics’ head coach went on to discuss the game’s turning point.

“It was two stretches where they go on that 17-0 run in the middle of the third, and then they went on a run in the middle of the second,” Mazzulla said. “With the exception of those two bad stretches, we played really good basketball, but that isn’t enough against a team like this; this is a good team.” As a result, those two stretches cost us.”

The Celtics will look to rebound in their season opener against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night in Boston.