Latest news with #WendellCarterJr.
Forbes
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
The Boston Celtics Are Showing Stylistic Versatility To Begin Playoffs
There are many pleasant features of playoff basketball. Sure, not every game will be classified as 'beautiful' with the amount of physicality that's allowed compared to the six-month regular season – by the way, are we sure that's good for the sport if there's no semblance of consistency there? That's a larger conversation. One of the best parts of the postseason, though, is watching how many counters a team has when they are pressured. How does a team respond when their favorite style of attack isn't on the table? The Boston Celtics reminded us of that while dispatching the Orlando Magic in Game 5, advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals and buying themselves a few days of rest. Boston completely flipped the script and answered the call. What would happen if a team was dedicated to keeping Boston away from their favorite shot diet? They would be in trouble, right? Boston shot 80% at the rim during their gentleman's sweep, which shouldn't be too much of a surprise considering they finished third in restricted area efficiency during the regular season. Also throw in the fact Orlando's most-used lineups included 6-foot-10 Wendell Carter Jr., who most perimeter forces don't fear on drives, and the formula easily pointed to Boston exposing the Magic's weakness. But there was a reason Carter, the Magic's center, defended fewer shots at the rim than Paolo Banchero, their superstar wing. A significant chunk of Boston's gamplan focuses on hunting big men (or smaller guards) on switches, attacking favorable matchups with the idea of drawing two defenders on the ball. From there, Boston trusts Remember, these are the same Celtics who smashed the NBA record for 3-point frequency in a single season. They attempted 50.1% of their shots from deep (excluding garbage time possessions). It was nearly seven percentage points higher than second place and 11 percentage points more than league average. Considering the full context of Boston's identity – one that Joe Mazzulla is extremely proud of – you could easily argue the Magic did their job. Orlando held the defending champions to a 3-point frequency of 36.6%, a number far below expectation. Anyone looking at the statistical breakdown through a neutral lens would estimate Orlando taking this series the full distance, or at least forcing a Game 6 in Boston, if the outside shooting discrepancy wasn't out of control. Well, there goes that narrative. It does appear the Celtics are capable of throttling opponents if they are forced to adjust, or if defensive pressure makes them slightly uncomfortable. Boston just won a five-game series in which they attempted the same number of threes (156) as their opponent. The Celtics have won 23 of their last 28 playoff games dating back to the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, the series that will forever be remembered as the weirdest roller-coaster and near-comeback. Boston stumbled out of the gate versus Miami and dropped the first three games, only to win three straight and force a decisive Game 7, which they ultimately lost by double-digits. Since Game 4 of that series two years ago, Boston's 23-5 playoff record stacks up nicely with a few of the NBA's legendary dynasties and dominant East powerhouses: Now, Boston awaits the winner of New York and Detroit's intense back-and-forth battle. While the Knicks hold a 3-2 series lead, only five total points separate them after 240 minutes of action.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jayson Tatum, Celtics overpower Magic in final four minutes
Jayson Tatum collected game highs of 37 points and 14 rebounds to lead the visiting Boston Celtics to a 107-98 victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday in Game 4 of their NBA Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. The second-seeded Celtics made 30 of their 32 free-throw attempts in the victory, which gave Boston a 3-1 edge in the best-of-seven series. Orlando tied the score at 91 on a Wendell Carter Jr. putback with 4:18 to play, but the reigning NBA champions seized control by scoring 10 of the next 11 points. Four of Boston's five starters scored at least 18 points. Jaylen Brown had 21 points and 11 rebounds, Kristaps Porzingis tossed in 19 points and Derrick White finished with 18. Paolo Banchero led seventh-seeded Orlando by scoring 31 points. Franz Wagner added 24 points, six rebounds and seven assists, and Carter finished with nine points and a team-high 11 rebounds. Cory Joseph (12) and Anthony Black (10) were the other Magic players who scored in double figures. ANALYSIS: Ant-man on the rise, a hole in the middle and perfect timing. How Timberwolves won Game 4. MORE: This Luka Dončić trait is making the Lakers' role players better Boston's Jrue Holiday missed his second straight game in the series with a hamstring strain. Boston's reserves were limited to six points, all from Sam Hauser. The Celtics were 9 of 31 on 3-point attempts (29 percent). Orlando was 8 of 30 from behind the 3-point arc (26.7 percent). Boston led 32-29 after one quarter and stretched its lead to nine, 42-33, with 7:46 left in the second. Orlando went in front 48-46 on a Banchero layup with 3:17 remaining in the first half. The Celtics finished the quarter on a 7-0 run and had a 53-48 halftime lead. Orlando edged Boston 27-26 in the third quarter, which left Boston with a 79-75 advantage entering the final 12 minutes. Brown scored 11 of his 21 points in the third. The Celtics can advance if they win Game 5 on Tuesday night in Boston. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Magic's final four minutes doom them as Celtics take control of series
Miami Herald
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Jayson Tatum, Celtics too sharp for Magic
Jayson Tatum collected game highs of 37 points and 14 rebounds to lead the visiting Boston Celtics to a 107-98 victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. The second-seeded Celtics made 30 of their 32 free-throw attempts in the victory, which gave Boston a 3-1 edge in the best-of-seven series. Orlando tied the game at 91 on a Wendell Carter Jr. putback with 4:18 to play, but Boston seized control by scoring 10 of the next 11 points. Four of Boston's five starters scored at least 18 points. Jaylen Brown had 21 points and 11 rebounds, Kristaps Porzingis tossed in 19 points and Derrick White finished with 18. Paolo Banchero led seventh-seeded Orlando by scoring 31 points. Franz Wagner added 24 points, six rebounds and seven assists, and Carter finished with nine points and a team-high 11 rebounds. Cory Joseph (12) and Anthony Black (10) were the other Magic players who scored in double figures. Boston's Jrue Holiday missed his second straight game in the series with a hamstring strain. Boston's reserves were limited to six points, all from Sam Hauser. The Celtics were 9 of 31 on 3-point attempts (29 percent). Orlando was 8 of 30 from behind the 3-point arc (26.7 percent). Boston led 32-29 after one quarter and stretched its lead to nine, 42-33, with 7:46 left in the second quarter. Orlando went in front 48-46 on a Banchero layup with 3:17 remaining in the first half. The Celtics finished the quarter on a 7-0 run and had a 53-48 halftime lead. Orlando edged Boston 27-26 in the third quarter, which left Boston with a 79-75 advantage entering the final 12 minutes. Brown scored 11 of his 21 points in the third. The Celtics can advance if they win Game 5 on Tuesday night in Boston. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
USA Today
09-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NBA picks: Magic vs. Celtics same game parlay – Wednesday, April 9
NBA picks: Magic vs. Celtics same game parlay – Wednesday, April 9 Two streaking teams square off when the Orlando Magic (39-40) host the Boston Celtics (59-20) on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 7 p.m. ET. The Magic will put their three-game win streak on the line against the Celtics, who have won three straight. For same-game parlay picks, see the article below. Watch the NBA with NBA League Pass Successfully hitting the spread, total and Franz Wagner under 23.5 PTS parlay for the Magic-Celtics matchup nets $58.74 on a $10 bet using the computer picks below. Want to know how each of those wagers looks? Continue scrolling to learn more. NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Wednesday at 11:17 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Celtics vs. Magic spread pick Favorite: Magic (-6.5) Magic (-6.5) Pick ATS: Celtics +6.5 (Projected score: Celtics 113, Magic 105) Celtics +6.5 (Projected score: Celtics 113, Magic 105) Orlando has beaten the spread 39 times in 79 games. As 6.5-point favorites or more, the Magic are 11-9 against the spread. Boston is 38-40-1 against the spread this season. Celtics vs. Magic total pick Total: 206 206 Pick OU: Over 206 (Projecting 217.8 total points) Over 206 (Projecting 217.8 total points) Orlando's games this season have gone over 206 points 47 out of 79 times. Boston has combined with its opponents to score more than 206 points in 71 of 79 games this season. The Magic and their opponents have scored an average of 213.9 points per game in 2024-25, 7.9 more than Wednesday's total. In 2024-25, games involving the Celtics have averaged a total of 227.0 points, 21.0 more than the set over/under in this contest. Wendell Carter Jr. points prop Points prop: OU 23.5 OU 23.5 Pick: Under (Projecting 23.3 points) Under (Projecting 23.3 points) The 24.2 points Franz Wagner has scored per game this season is 0.7 more than his prop bet over/under set for Wednesday (23.5). So far this season, Wagner is 30-for-59 at going over the total set for his points prop. Celtics vs. Magic game info
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Orlando Magic's Wendell Carter Jr. hosts VA charity event
Orlando Magic Center Wendell Carter Jr. hosted a charity event last night that benefited the VA Center for Development & Civic Engagement's STEM programs. The event at Top Golf Orlando included many people, celebrities, and Magic talent. People could also participate in golf, spade tournaments, and silent auctions. Carter presented a $20k dollar check to help the VA center kickstart the innovative initiative designed to empower veterans with valuable skills. Carter's A Platform² Foundation is set up to empower youth and families through programs and resources designed to elevate their quality of life and create opportunities for success. In just his short time in the NBA, his foundation has already had major impacts on the community, including: Flight 34 – hosting area high school students for events and flying experiences to inspire them to consider a career in the exciting world of aviation. STEM Aviation Program – providing schools and students with the necessary equipment to enhance existing programs at Title 1 schools in Orlando and his hometown of Atlanta. Community Events – collaboration with organizations such as Boys to Men Mentoring to provide guidance to young students needing positive role models. Holiday Events – ensuring that families in need enjoy a better holiday season with Thanksgiving turkey giveaways and Christmas gift and coat giveaways. Basketball Camps – beyond teaching student athletes ways to improve their game on the court, he includes education sessions such as financial literacy into the camp to assist them off the here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
