Celtics Take a Dive: Rest and Rotation Lead to a Rough Night
Okay, so the Boston Celtics ended their road trip with a pretty brutal 96-76 loss to the Orlando Magic. Honestly, who saw that coming? I mean, not *really* surprising, considering what happened.
With their playoff seeding locked in and the playoffs looming, Coach Mazzulla decided to give his starters a night off. All of them. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford – all sitting this one out. That left Payton Pritchard leading a lineup that felt more like a G-League squad than an NBA team. We’re talking Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet, Torrey Craig, and Baylor Scheierman getting serious minutes.
It was… an experience. This “B-team” struggled mightily on offense, shooting a dismal 39 percent from the field and missing a whopping 33 of 40 three-pointers. Yikes. We knew the offense would be weaker, but this was another level.
What We Learned (or Didn't)
So, what did we take away from this blowout? A few things, actually. First, it really highlighted just how much the Celtics rely on their star players. The bench guys got a chance to shine, but it also showed where the team’s vulnerabilities lie. And it wasn’t pretty.
Second, the Celtics got outrebounded and outscored in the paint for the second night in a row. That's a worrying trend, regardless of who's on the court. It's something they need to address before the playoffs, even with the starters back. You know how sometimes things just spiral? This felt like that in the paint.
And finally, a few bright spots emerged from the wreckage! Neemias Queta threw down a seriously impressive dunk. Baylor Scheierman showed some nice passing skills. And Miles Norris even scored his first NBA points! Small victories, people.
Looking Ahead: Playoff Prep Begins
The Celtics have two home games against the Charlotte Hornets to wrap up the regular season. While we probably won't see the starters playing major minutes, the focus will shift to playoff preparation. And guess who their likely first-round opponent is? The Orlando Magic, the very team that handed them this shellacking. Wednesday's game gave us a little preview—a not-so-subtle reminder that a healthy and well-rested Celtics roster is crucial for a deep playoff run.
This loss, as disappointing as it was, served as a valuable (though painful) lesson. It underscored the importance of rest and strategic game management, particularly as the playoffs approach. The Celtics need to be at their best to compete for a championship, and this game served as a reminder of that.
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