For the second time this month, the Boston Celtics have lost as a double digit favourite. After losing 117-108 to the Chicago Bulls as a 14.5 point favourite on December 19, the Celtics lost 108-104 to the Orlando Magic as a 10 point favourite on Monday.
The Magic win over the Celtics was stunning when you consider all the injuries Orlando have. They include center Moritz Wagner of Berlin, Germany (torn anterior cruciate ligament), small forward Franz Wagner (Moritz’s younger brother) of Berlin with a torn oblique, and forward Paolo Banchero of Seattle, Washington (torn oblique).
With all of the Magic connections to Germany, it was rookie small forward Tristan Da Silva of Munich who led the team in scoring. He had 18 points in 35 minutes and 35 seconds. One of Da Silva’s key shots was a three-point shot from 23 feet with nine seconds left in the game to close out the scoring.
Four other Magic players reached double digits in points. Shooting guard Trevelin Queen of Baltimore, Maryland had 17 points, guard Jalen Suggs of Saint Paul, Minnesota had 16 points, center Wendell Carter Jr. of Atlanta, Georgia had 11 points and point guard Cole Anthony of Portland, Oregon had 10 points.
It was an excellent second half for Orlando who came from behind in a second straight game. On Saturday, they were losing 76-44 to the Miami Heat before beating 121-114. On Monday, the Magic were trailing the Celtics 58-43 at halftime before outscoring Boston 65-46 in the second half.
The Magic are now fourth in the Eastern Conference at 19 wins and 12 losses. The Celtics drop to 22 wins and seven losses.
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