ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic got another look at why the Boston Celtics have had the league’s top-ranked defense for the last two months.
The Celtics stifled the Magic’s offense Sunday at the Amway Center, holding Orlando to 35.8% shooting (29 of 81) and 20% on 3-pointers (5 of 25) in their 116-83 win.
Sunday’s defeat dropped the Magic (league-worst 12-43) to 0-2 in their two-game homestand, which started with a blowout loss to the Memphis Grizzlies Saturday.
It marked the second time the Celtics held Orlando to fewer than 85 points. The Magic’s worst offensive performance came in a 92-79 loss to Boston on Nov. 3.
Sunday also marked the second time the Celtics, whose 105 defensive rating — points allowed per 100 possessions — is the league’s best-mark since Dec. 8, held Orlando to sub-36% shooting.
Jalen Suggs (17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists) and Wendell Carter Jr. (14 points and 8 rebounds) were the lone Magic players to finish with 10-plus points.
The Celtics, who had six players finish in double-figures scoring, were led by Jaylen Brown’s 26 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Dennis Schröder had 22 points (8 of 15) off the bench.
The Magic’s offensive woes were apparent early: their first eight possessions either ended with a missed shot or turnover. Orlando went 5 of 21 (23.8%) from the field, including 0 of 4 on 3-pointers), in their 19-point first quarter.
The Magic only trailed the Celtics by 6 at the end of the first and 49-39 at halftime despite their 31.7% shooting through the opening to quarters because of their advantage on free throws (12 to the Celtics’ 5 at halftime) and the Boston’s own shooting struggles (42.2%).
Orlando tried getting out in transition more in the third quarter, with the Celtics having one of the league’s top halfcourt defenses. But the Magic turned the ball over 6 times in the quarter, helping Boston take a 78-61 lead at the end of the third.
The Celtics, who led by as many as 33, outscored Orlando 38-22 in the fourth quarter.
The Magic will play the Portland Trail Blazers at 10 p.m. on Tuesday to kick off a West Coast road swing, which will include matchups against the Utah Jazz (Friday), Phoenix Suns (Feb. 12) and Denver Nuggets (Feb. 14).
