Tatum and the Celtics take on the Magic

Sun, Jan 22, 2023
NBA News (AP)

Boston Celtics (35-12, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (17-29, 13th in the Eastern Conference)

Orlando, Florida; Monday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Jayson Tatum leads Boston into a matchup against Orlando. He's third in the league scoring 31.2 points per game.

The Magic have gone 7-19 against Eastern Conference teams. Orlando has an 11-18 record against teams over .500.

The Celtics are 20-8 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston is second in the league scoring 118.5 points per game while shooting 47.5%.

The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Magic won the last meeting 95-92 on Dec. 18, with Paolo Banchero scoring 31 points in the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Banchero is scoring 20.7 points per game and averaging 6.5 rebounds for the Magic. Franz Wagner is averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Orlando.

Marcus Smart is averaging 11.1 points and 7.2 assists for the Celtics. Tatum is averaging 29.5 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 46.1% over the past 10 games for Boston.

LAST 10 GAMES: Magic: 4-6, averaging 114.1 points, 40.5 rebounds, 24.1 assists, 7.4 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.9 points per game.

Celtics: 9-1, averaging 118.2 points, 47.8 rebounds, 27.5 assists, 5.7 steals and 6.4 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.8 points.

INJURIES: Magic: Jonathan Isaac: out (knee), R.J. Hampton: out (illness), Chuma Okeke: out (knee).

Celtics: Jayson Tatum: out (wrist), Danilo Gallinari: out for season (knee), Robert Williams III: day to day (knee), Marcus Smart: day to day (ankle).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.