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GAME INFO
Who: Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics
What: 2025 NBA Playoffs Round 1 Game 5 (Celtics lead 3-1)
When: Tuesday, April 29 at 8:30pm ET
Where: TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
How: NBATV, FanDuel Sports Network Florida and 96.9 The Game

GAMBLING
Line: BOS -11.5
Over/Under: 197.5


ORLANDO MAGIC HEAD COACH
Jamahl Mosley - Career Record: 144-184 regular season, 1-0 play in, 4-7 playoffs



ORLANDO MAGIC STARTERS

G: Cory Joseph



G: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope



F: Franz Wagner



F: Paolo Banchero



C: Wendell Carter Jr.



ORLANDO MAGIC BENCH

G: Anthony Black



G: Cole Anthony



G: Gary Harris



F: Caleb Houstan



C: Jonathan Isaac



ORLANDO MAGIC DEEP BENCH
G: Jett Howard
F: Tristan Da Silva
C: Goga Bitadze

Injuries: Moritz Wagner (knee) and Jalen Suggs (knee) are OUT.


Boston Projected Starters
G: Derrick White
G: Jaylen Brown
F: Jayson Tatum
F: Al Horford
C: Kristaps Porzingis

Bench
G: Payton Pritchard
F: Sam Hauser
C: Luke Kornet

Injuries: Jrue Holiday (hamstring) is OUT. Jaylen Brown (knee) is QUESTIONABLE.

If this is the last one of these we get to do this season, it was truly a pleasure of mine to be your go-to game thread creator.

Go Magic!

Knightro wrote:If this is the last one of these we get to do this season, it was truly a pleasure of mine to be your go-to game thread creator.

Go Magic!

Thank you for the game threads and all you do.

Mixed emotions.

Franz and Paolo era is upon us. Let’s hope it’s a long and prosperous one.

Media loves our defensive performance. However, we've only had one game better than our defensive rating. Our offense has been bad, under our offensive rating in all but one game. Off the top of my head we are 2-2 against the spread.

I come away thinking that the Celtics are just obviously a juggernaut. They are versatile enough that they don't really have any weaknesses. It feels like last season's final run where no one really was able to push them. Winning tonight will blow my mind

Also, thanks knightro for all you do for this community! Appreciate you, brother.

Hopefully this isn’t the game that Boston starts making it rain from 3. It would be awesome to extend the series but that would come with Franz/Paolo BOTH having monster games especially the way the offense has looked. I don’t see many changes being made in rotation or personnel so hopefully they can just keep it close.

eyriq wrote:Media loves our defensive performance. However, we've only had one game better than our defensive rating. Our offense has been bad, under our offensive rating in all but one game. Off the top of my head we are 2-2 against the spread.

I come away thinking that the Celtics are just obviously a juggernaut. They are versatile enough that they don't really have any weaknesses. It feels like last season's final run where no one really was able to push them. Winning tonight will blow my mind

Also, thanks knightro for all you do for this community! Appreciate you, brother.

You want some optimism my guy?

I don’t think the Magic are that far off from being really good. Genuinely.

I just don’t trust Weltman or Mosley to make the hard decisions necessary, both from a personnel and schematic standpoint, to get this team where it needs to go.

Tonight's the night that I'd like to see a couple of "margin guys" like KCP, Caleb, Goga, Cole, or even Jett have a big night...even if just to raise their trade value.

I'd also like to see TdS put in some quality playoff minutes...just to strengthen his armor going forward

We need 65+ from our stars.

Don’t leave this game to the refs like in Game 4.

Mosley has to change the lineup and rotation.

If this is the last game can we please see TDS, Jett, and Goga get some type of minutes (yes, I understand if it is complete blowout they’ll play). I wish they all played in spurts.

Knightro wrote:

eyriq wrote:Media loves our defensive performance. However, we've only had one game better than our defensive rating. Our offense has been bad, under our offensive rating in all but one game. Off the top of my head we are 2-2 against the spread.

I come away thinking that the Celtics are just obviously a juggernaut. They are versatile enough that they don't really have any weaknesses. It feels like last season's final run where no one really was able to push them. Winning tonight will blow my mind

Also, thanks knightro for all you do for this community! Appreciate you, brother.

You want some optimism my guy?

I don’t think the Magic are that far off from being really good. Genuinely.

I just don’t trust Weltman or Mosley to make the hard decisions necessary, both from a personnel and schematic standpoint, to get this team where it needs to go.

Don't want to be labelled a pessimist , but I agree. Hope I'm wrong

CocoaFan wrote:

Knightro wrote:

eyriq wrote:Media loves our defensive performance. However, we've only had one game better than our defensive rating. Our offense has been bad, under our offensive rating in all but one game. Off the top of my head we are 2-2 against the spread.

I come away thinking that the Celtics are just obviously a juggernaut. They are versatile enough that they don't really have any weaknesses. It feels like last season's final run where no one really was able to push them. Winning tonight will blow my mind

Also, thanks knightro for all you do for this community! Appreciate you, brother.

You want some optimism my guy?

I don’t think the Magic are that far off from being really good. Genuinely.

I just don’t trust Weltman or Mosley to make the hard decisions necessary, both from a personnel and schematic standpoint, to get this team where it needs to go.

Don't want to be labelled a pessimist , but I agree. Hope I'm wrong

If next season doesn’t meet expectations, hopefully it’s enough to finally replace FO/Coach.

Knightro wrote:I just don’t trust Weltman or Mosley to make the hard decisions necessary, both from a personnel and schematic standpoint, to get this team where it needs to go.

I'll put in my critical thinking cap:

Case against Weltman:

1. Persistent offensive struggles
2. Lack of trade activity
3. Questionable draft picks
4. Lack of playoff success
5. Fan discontent

Case against Mosley:

1. Offensive struggles
2. Late-game management
3. Lack of playoff success

Case for Weltman:

1. Overseeing a rebuild
2. Development of young talent
3. Emphasis on team culture
4. Long-term vision
5. Recognition from peers
6. Injuries as a factor

Case for Mosley:

1. Significant improvement
2. Strong defensive identity
3. Player development
4. Positive team culture
5. Coach of the year recognition
6. On contract extension

I just don't think a good case can be made to fire Mosley, and the Weltman case is weak.

eyriq wrote:

Knightro wrote:I just don’t trust Weltman or Mosley to make the hard decisions necessary, both from a personnel and schematic standpoint, to get this team where it needs to go.

I'll put in my critical thinking cap:

Case against Weltman:

1. Persistent offensive struggles
2. Lack of trade activity
3. Questionable draft picks
4. Lack of playoff success
5. Fan discontent

Case against Mosley:

1. Offensive struggles
2. Late-game management
3. Lack of playoff success

Case for Weltman:

1. Overseeing a rebuild
2. Development of young talent
3. Emphasis on team culture
4. Long-term vision
5. Recognition from peers
6. Injuries as a factor

Case for Mosley:

1. Significant improvement
2. Strong defensive identity
3. Player development
4. Positive team culture
5. Coach of the year recognition
6. On contract extension

I just don't think a good case can be made to fire Mosley, and the Weltman case is weak.

you can't fire Mose if you're not also firing Weltman. Mose is working with what he has, it's up to Weltman to make actual moves to improve this roster. I give the FO this summer to show they're going to improve and make change sor I am 1000% done with them.

This could be a brutal beatdown or a pleasant attempt at saving face

Orlando needs 2 of AB, KCP, Isaac to score 10+ points to have a chance, Boston smells blood and they're at home.

..

Anti-jinx post:

ORLMagicGirl15 wrote:If this is the last game can we please see TDS, Jett, and Goga get some type of minutes (yes, I understand if it is complete blowout they’ll play). I wish they all played in spurts.

could be the last game of the season, might as well empty the clip

I just want them to make it a game. It doesn't even have to be a game we win.

If this is it for the rest of the season. It was a pleasure reading all of the collective meltdowns.

I feel like we are due a good game. Definitely beating the spread!

Its ends tonight. I think the first half will be close. Then we will have one more of our horrific third quarters and this time we won't be able to get off the mat. Celtics win by 15 I think. They are due for an offensive explosion.