At Long Last, The Boston Celtics Finally Beat Their Boogeyman In The Dreaded Orlando Magic

Brian Babineau. Getty Images.

As soon as the 2023-24 NBA schedule was released, after looking it over, there was really only one part of it that stood out to me

Anyone who experienced December 16th-18th 2022 understood why

Following those back to back losses at home, there would be two more to add to the list prior to last night as well. So to see we were going for Round 2 with this little 2 game mini series against the Magic, immediately following a 2 game mini series against the Cavs (2-0), I was ready for war. Then we saw what happened to start this year in the IST, with the Magic winning their 4th straight. At some point, the Celts were going to have to cut the shit and punch back. Enough about how the Magic are a tough matchup and their young players are great etc. That's all fine and true. But the Boston Celtics are NBA title favorites. To me, that means there is no bad matchup for you. I expect dominance, especially at home. I expect everyone within the franchise to take this matchup seriously and send a message. Things were starting to get a little out of hand, and this was a great opportunity for the Celts to punch back.

For them to blow out the Magic the way they did, down their top 3 centers, that didn't feel like just any other regular season win. That felt like a true contender reminding the up and comer who still runs the NBA. Not just the East. The NBA. There are levels to this thing. 

I saw a focused Boston Celtics right from the opening tip. Without their size, the Celts were going to have to play small and play fast while fully embracing Mazzulla Ball for a full 48 minutes. Everyone on the perimeter was going to have to hold their own because the backline was Lamar goddamn Stevens. What we ended up getting was something all too familiar whenever the Hospital Celtics have to make an appearance. The entire team showed up. If someone touched the floor, they made a positive impact. You add that to the Jays being the best players on the court, and I'd say that's a pretty good way to restore order.

Now let's talk about it.

The Good

- When I think about the Celts taking a stand and punching back, my brain starts with one guy. Jayson Tatum. In a situation like this, playing a young confident team who has had your number the last 4 times you've played, this is where the best player needs to say enough is enough. Watching Tatum play, my brain also kept going back to this video

Tatum went home, got some rest, and then did this

30/6/4 on 11-22 (2-9) with just 2 TOs and a +14 in his 38 minutes. The best part, is this wasn't one of those nights where maybe Tatum starts off slow and then picks up his efficiency in the second half. He was dominant from the jump. Tatum started 3-6 in the first quarter, and then picked right up where Jaylen left off in the second quarter, leading everyone with 11 points on 5-8. One of the biggest reasons the Celts had that 64-51 half-time lead was the fact that the Celts two best players were the two best players on the floor.

What was different about last night for Tatum was how his role also had to change. Tatum is already one of the best defensive rebounders in the league, ranking 6th in the NBA in defensive rebounds. In fact, he's the only wing in the top 11

But now with the Celts down their top 3 rotation centers, Tatum's rebounding was going to be even more important. While he only finished with 6, it felt like they came in big moments. No other starter had more than 3, and only one other player (Hauser) on the entire team had more than 3. He answered the bell in that department while on the floor.

It was also nice to see him take good care of the basketball. Did you know Tatum has finished with 3 or fewer TOs in 4 of his last 5 games? Not only that, he's been at 2 or fewer in 3 of those games. That isn't just important for his own success, it also helps the team defense by not enabling easy transition baskets. You can always tell when Tatum is taking something seriously when he's not fucking around with the basketball. No lazy careless passes, no losing focus on his dribble 5 times in a game, he plays with purpose. 

You know how when we watch Tatum play this season there are stretches where it feels like he remembers he's a beast and he just goes right through the entire defense and finishes at the rim? We all sit and watch and collectively wonder why he doesn't do that every single offensive trip while he continues to struggle from three. Well, I have a working theory. 

That Tatum, is Playoff Tatum. 

That approach is what's coming in the Spring. The regular season is for just getting reps with it in spurts, but not to put too much on tape. That's why Tatum is still fucking around with the 3s despite shooting 27% over his last 10 games. He knows he can unleash that player, we know he can unleash that player, but it's not for full time regular season use. I feel like that's why he picks his spots with it throughout a game, usually saving it for the biggest moments late. Because make no mistake, when Tatum makes a quick and confident decision to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim, he gets to the rim. 

- You know who else gets to the rim with ease? This fella named Jaylen Brown. If the Celts goal was to send a message, Jaylen Brown played like he was the messenger

This was as angry as I think I've ever seen Jaylen play so far this season. He was inflicting violence at the rim at every opportunity while also playing extremely in control. It was as if Jaylen was able to channel his rage and turn it into focus and then use that to produce a level of basketball that if we see in the playoffs, the Celtics are winning the title. Tell me I'm wrong. And the thing is, this level of play for Jaylen is starting to become the rule, not the exception. 

Since that MIL game, so over the last 10 games, we're seeing Jaylen play at the All NBA level we not only saw last season, but expect him to play at this season. 

22.7/4.3/3.6/1.4/0.9 with only 2.4 TOs on 50/30% splits

Like Tatum, the three point shooting is still a disaster at the moment, but everything else? Perfect. Over these last 10 games, only Derrick White's +88 beats out Jaylen's +61

Again, if this is the Jaylen Brown the Celts get in the Spring, they are winning the title.

The turnovers? Down. The FG%? Way up. The passing? Looks the best it's maybe ever looked in Jaylen's entire career. The defense? I dunno, you tell me

I also was happy to see Jaylen was able to sit the entire fourth given his little knee issue before the game. I saw everything I needed to from his minutes, and I'm thankful for Tatum + the deep bench for not choking away a lead and letting us all enjoy a fourth quarter without stress or Jaylen needing to go back in.

- This morning I got a DM from a stoolie telling me I had to check Payton Pritchard's B2B splits. Yeah, some people get girls sliding into their DMs, I get dudes telling me to look into Payton Pritchard numbers, so what? I wouldn't want it any other way. Boy am I glad he did because….holy shit

In 3 B2B games this season, Payton Pritchard is currently averaging 16.3/5.0/4.0 on 58/66% splits. He has 12 assists and 1 TO. Think of how massive that is. On these B2Bs, we know Al is out. Chances are, he's not the only one. These are the games where the Celts have to turn to their bench and rely on their production. If they don't get it, chances are it's going to be a long game. 

Last night, Payton delivered once again

Do you even remember Payton's slump? I sure don't. Pritchard has been shooting 43.5% from three over his last 15 games and 39% over his last 21 games. The Celts have only played 24 so I'd say that's pretty damn good. Certainly back to the level we all thought he needed to be at since he was now a rotation guard again. 

The player we got last night and the one we've currently been watching is certainly someone who I would say is playing up to his new deal, and to me, Payton looks like a much more well rounded backup point guard than just a catch and shoot 2 guard trapped in a point guard body. I trust him with the basketball, which might be the highest compliment I could ever give a member of the Celtics. 

- Between Payton (6-7 from deep) and then Sam Hauser putting on a show in front of his parents (3-6 from deep)

When the Celts shooters are going 9-16 from deep off the bench, you're cooked. That's how blowout happen. The Magic already had enough trouble with the Jays and the rest of the starters, to also have to deal with Pritchard and Hauser drainging three after three after three right in your eyeball is tough.

The beauty of both is how they happened. Pritchard getting his corner threes off great ball movement and unselfish play. Guys willing to make the extra pass is the exact way you get rewarded by the Basketball Gods. Him making all those corner 3s isn't an accident, it's the Gods rewarding this team for playing the right way.

Then with Hauser, we had everything. Catch and shoot, coming off screens, I think we need to take a second and talk about this. Sam Hauser becoming an elite shooter off movement is a very big deal for this offense. He's not just a stand in open space and catch and shoot. Being able to run him off screens, him being able to execute off the dribble into a pullup, it all makes Hauser so much more playable in addition to opening up things for everyone else even more. Over Hauser's last 21 games? How does 48.8% from three sound. I mean holy shit

- Of course, we can't go too long without mentioning Derrick White. Ho hum, just another near perfect display of basketball in a huge game against a good team. Bald Derrick is changing our lives, and that becomes more and more clear every second you watch him on the floor

Without a doubt, the biggest difference in this version of Derrick is his confidence. Compare this player to the guy who first got here from SA and they aren't even in the same galaxy. What we're seeing is what things look like not only with Derrick being comfortable in Boston, we're seeing a version of Derrick that is empowered. This is EXACTLY how I want Derrick to play at all times. Does he feel like taking a 25ft pull up 3? Hell yeah. Does he want to exploit his mismatch and get into the paint for a floater? Sign me the fuck up. Does he want to let it fly if he has a sliver of space on a catch & shoot 3? Grip it and rip it. 

A confident Derrick White, one that plays without hesitation, is how the Celts elevate to that next level. Always has been, always will be. You know who understands that? Bald Derrick. We got it all in this one, efficient scoring, 8 assists and 1 TO, 4 steals, you name it Derrick did it. Second on the team in FGA (15), it's not the first time that White has stepped up his aggressiveness when the Celts were shorthanded in a big game, and to me this was just another example of White being willing and able to give the Celts whatever they might need on that particular night. Some nights it's his offense, others his defense, sometimes it's both. Whatever it is, he answers the call.

- The same has to be said about Oshae Brissett and Lamar Stevens. They absolutely answered the call. To put it nicely, the Celts have gotten jack shit from both guys so far this season. They've barely played, but in the few instances we have seen them on the court, things were pretty gross. Both have shown great energy, but anything in terms of actual basketball production has been rough.

Last night though, we got their best games as Celtics. Brissett a surprising 4-4 (1-1) off the bench doing cool shit

Lamar Stevens filled his role with tough defense, finishes around the rim and even a corner three of his own. Maybe this type of performance from both will help Joe feel more comfortable when it comes to minutes, but to be fair this is not how either guy has played so far this season. If this is what we can expect, then sure let's give them some run here and there to keep guys fresh.

- The Magic own one of the best defenses in the NBA. It's been the backbone of their success this season, so for the Celts to put up 128 on 52/42% with 18 3PM and only turn it voer 10 times is big time stuff. That my friends, is embracing Mazzulla Ball. I'd say the Celts checked off every box you need to see for things to translate into a win when you take a step back and look at it

Efficient from the floor? Check

Made a shit ton of 3s? Check

Took a shit ton of 3s? Check

Moved the ball? Check

Took care of the ball? Check

Hit the 120 magic number (50-4 now)? Check. 

Without their inside presence, the Celt still matched ORL in points in the paint at 52 a piece. They dominated fastbreak points 18-8. And most importantly, they didn't choke away a 20+ point lead.

- A pretty decent 13-0 at home and 19-5 overall. Not bad.

- I am so in on Neemias Queta it'll make your head spin. We're watching Rob-Lite. I know when I see it and I see it. The lobs, the offensive rebounding, the loud blocks, it's all there

- It doesn't happen often, but it was nice to see the Celts force 21 turnovers. That is just not something the 2023-24 Celts are doing a whole lot of, so I would love to see that come back. There are too many great defenders on this team so be generating so few opponent turnovers because, becuase as we saw once this team gets out in transition, it's a wrap.

The Bad

- It was expected given who was out, but can't say I love the 13 OREB / 17 2nd chance points numbers for the Magic. We all knew something was going to give there and it shouldn't really be a surprise that a team that started a 6'4 center or whatever had some issues keeping the Magic off the glass, but I still can't call that good.

- I find it to be a very dumb rule that if a team wins a challenge they get to keep it for another try, but then if they win that second challenge they still lose it. That's stupid. If a team goes 2-2 in challenges, they shouldn't be penalized for being right. It's not their fault the refs are blind as hell and are missing easy calls. You should be able to keep a challenge for as long as it takes before you're wrong. 

Think about it. A coach goes 2-2 on bad calls, but it's the 3rd quarter. Then you have a controversial play and he can't challenge because he was too good at being right? What if he had to use one of those challenges earlier to save a player from foul trouble that was ultimately overturned? That's bullshit. 

Yes, I only care about this because Joe went 2-2 on challenges. So what. It is dumb, you know I'm right.

- I'm trying my hardesst to not freak out over the outside shooting of the Celts best players. Not just recently, but dating as far back as 10+ games. KP, Jaylen, Tatum all being in the low 30s or below is concerning. Not a big "c", but still concerning. I guess you could look at it as a positive that the Celts are still winning (8-2) despite those three shooting like dogshit from deep, but I've watched enough Celts basketball to know that they cannot be that brutal if the Celts are going to win a title. You can't be 30% or worse. Not when you're the three highest volume 3P shooters the team has.

The Ugly

- I don't know where else to put Tatum's FT shooting. None of this makes any sense to me. Another brutal 6-9 last night, Tatum is now below 80% on the season. This is the worst FT shooting season of his entire career. Back in early November when I started to notice it, I thought it was mostly just a weird quirk. No no, this is starting to become something. The drop from 85% to under 80% is crazy, so what gives? Is he rushing? Is his form fucked? Is it a lack of focus for just one second? Our sample size is now large enough to the point where I can't really ignore it.

Not that Jaylen has been any better, but him being around 70% is his standard. We are NOT seeing Tatum at his standard from the line and I can't say I love it. He's too good to be shooting this poorly from the FT line. It has to get better.

- I don't love the next meeting with the Magic coming at a weird early afternoon time. That feels like a setup. What the hell did the Celts to do the schedulemakers to get this type of start? Every game is against someone good, early Sunday games against a good team, it's all a little crazy at this point.

But hey, at least we finally saw that this team was capable of beating their boogeyman. Doing it once was fun, but it means nothing if you can't back it up and do it again tomorrow. Give us 14-0 at home. I need it.