In a heart-stopping matchup, the Orlando Magic edged out the Boston Celtics with a thrilling 95-93 victory. The turning point came in the third quarter, where Cole Anthony’s scorching hot shooting propelled his team to a crucial win.
The Magic 95, 93 Celtics was a thrilling matchup between two of the NBA’s top teams. The ‘It’s going to be a tough game,’ said Orlando Magic coach, ‘We’re expecting a lot from them.’
The Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic have a long-standing rivalry in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Their first meeting was in 1989, but it wasn't until the early 2000s that their rivalry intensified.
The Celtics' success during this period, including their 17-1 start in the 2007-08 season, fueled the Magic's determination to compete against them.
Despite the Celtics' dominance, the Magic have shown resilience and skill in their matchups.
Their rivalry has been marked by intense games, with both teams pushing each other to excel.
Third-Quarter Surge Propels Magic to Victory
The third quarter proved to be the turning point in the game as the Magic came out strong. They increased their lead and maintained it throughout the rest of the period. The Celtics tried to mount a comeback, but the Magic’s defense held firm.
Cole Anthony led the charge for the Magic, scoring 25 points in the quarter alone. His hot shooting helped his team take control of the game. Meanwhile, the Celtics struggled to find their rhythm, and their offense was hindered by turnovers.
Cole Anthony is an American professional basketball player who plays as a point guard.
Born on January 7, 2000, in New York City, he rose to prominence during his high school years at Archbishop Molloy High School.
The University of North Carolina recruited him, and he played college basketball for the Tar Heels from 2019 to 2020.
Anthony's impressive skills led to him being drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft.
Celtics’ Late-Game Push Falls Short
Despite a late-game push, the Celtics were unable to overcome the Magic’s lead. They scored 15 points in the final quarter but were unable to cut into the deficit. The Magic’s bench also played a crucial role in the game, providing key contributions off the bench.
The Orlando Magic is an American professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida.
The team was established in 1989 as one of the four expansion teams in the NBA's 25th season.
They played their first game on November 3, 1989.
The team has a rich history, including appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals in 1995 and 2009.
'Shaquille O'Neal' was the team's first-ever draft pick in 1992.
The Celtics’ loss marked their third straight defeat, and they will need to regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the playoffs. For the Magic, this win was a much-needed boost to their season, as they look to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
