NBA playoff preview: Who can beat Boston or Cleveland?
Analyzing if the Bucks, Knicks, or Pacers have what it takes to beat Boston or Cleveland in the playoffs
The Boston Celtics are looking to become the first team since 2018 to repeat as NBA champions, and their quest starts Sunday against the Magic.
Boston’s roster is essentially the same as last year’s version that rolled through the NBA playoffs. This season, however, the Celtics seem to have embraced their offensive philosophy even more. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the stars, but every single player in the rotation is capable — and is given the green light — to shoot 3s. No team had a higher percentage of its points (45.8%) come from 3-point shots.
The Magic, meanwhile, are built quite differently. A defense-first squad that rarely seeks to break out in transition, Orlando is led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, two players who suffered a similar injury (torn oblique) in the heart of the 2024-25 season.
Here’s everything you need to know about the first-round series between the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics:
Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics preview
How the Magic will win: If Orlando wins, something will have gone awry in Boston’s offense — most likely, the Celtics will have gone uncharacteristically cold from the perimeter. The issue is that, while the Magic are a very good defensive team, they struggled to rein in teams from beyond the arc, tied for 21st in opponent 3-point percentage (36.5%). Orlando will need to do much better in order to have a shot against Boston, and it will need Banchero and Wagner to erupt.
How the Celtics will win: If the Celtics stay healthy and play their game — spacing the floor, moving the ball selflessly and defending — it’s difficult to see Orlando outscoring them; the Magic ranked 27th in the NBA in offensive rating, scoring just 108.9 points per 100 possessions.
Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics stat
- The Celtics set the NBA record for most 3-pointers made in a single season with 1,457, which comes out to 17.8 per game. The Magic, on the other hand, ranked dead last in the league this season in made 3s per game, with just 11.2.
Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics player to watch
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Magic: Though he started 77 games, Caldwell-Pope averaged just 8.7 points per game for Orlando. His 3-point shooting, however, will be a requirement for the young Magic, as will be his leadership and championship experience.
- Kristaps Porziņģis, Celtics: As with any matchup Boston will have, Porziņģis may be the ultimate game changer. His ability to knock down deep 3s in a 7-foot-2 package creates so many matchup issues; opposing bigs are drawn out, opening up the rest of the floor.
Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics predictions
- Lorenzo Reyes: Celtics in five
- Heather Tucker: Celtics in four
- James Williams: Celtics in five
- Jeff Zillgitt: Celtics in six
Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics schedule
All times Eastern. *-if necessary
- Game 1: Magic at Celtics | Sunday, April 20, 3:30 p.m. | ABC
- Game 2: Magic at Celtics | Wednesday, April 23, 7 p.m. | TNT
- Game 3: Celtics at Magic | Friday, April 25, 7 p.m. | ESPN
- Game 4: Celtics at Magic | Sunday, April 27, 7 p.m. | TNT
- Game 5: Magic at Celtics | TBD*
- Game 6: Celtics at Magic | TBD*
- Game 7: Magic at Celtics | TBD*
Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics season series
The Magic won the season series, taking two out of three games.
- Dec. 23: Magic 108, Celtics 104
- Jan. 17: Celtics 121, Magic 94
- April 9: Magic 96, Celtics 76
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