Orlando Magic Set to Take on Boston in NBA Playoffs

Round one of the NBA postseason begins tomorrow, and the Orlando Magic are set to matchup with the Boston Celtics.

Orlando’s Road to the Postseason

Finishing the season with an even 41-41 record, the Magic earned the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference, placing it in the play-in tournament. It got the job done, dominating the Atlanta Hawks 120-95 on Tuesday.

After dealing with injuries all season long, the Magic enter the Celtics series with most of its roster healthy. That may not be enough, though, as Boston finished the season with a 61-21 record.

The Orlando Magic became the first Play-In team to advance to the NBA Playoffs after tearing the wings of the Atlanta Hawks, 120-95, during the first scheduled Play-In eliminator on April 16, 2025.https://t.co/mlhk6k4FxP

— Daily Guardian (@dailyguardianph) April 17, 2025

Orlando has a bevy of young talent, but having to defeat the reigning champs won’t be easy. Despite All-Star forward Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner averaging a combined 50 points per game, the Magic’s offense has struggled. Scoring 105.4 points per game, which is the third-worst average in the league, the Magic will need to find ways to orchestrate offense against Boston’s stellar defense.

On the other side of the ball, the Magic rank No. 1 in opponent points per game, which allows Orlando something to fall back on when its offense suffers dry spells.

The Efficiency Landscape. What Jumps Out? pic.twitter.com/OpTi2pMQdm

— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) April 18, 2025

Boston’s Keys to Success

Since 2020, Boston has made it to the Eastern Conference finals every season, make it the most experienced postseason in the NBA currently. It knows how to turn things up at the right time, as it enter the playoffs having won eight of its last 10 games.

The duo of forward Jayson Tatum and guard Jaylen Brown headline the Celtics, but their all-around offensive dominance is what makes this team so special. The Celtics hit 1,457 3-pointers this season, which is the most by any team in league history. Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis and possible Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard complete the Celtic’s primary rotation, each contributing an outside threat in Boston’s offense.

https://twitter.com/vbproton/status/1913013123126067300

The Matchup

While the Celtics have a better roster on paper, the Magic match up well. Boston thrives behind the arc, and the Magic have one of the best 3-point defenses in the league. The big men will also be a factor in this series, as the Magic have struggled in the paint as of late, while the Celtics have one of the most well-rounded rotations in the NBA.