Image Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Orlando Magic Get Better Of Boston Celtics, Clinch Second Straight Division Title and Seventh Play-In Seed

The Magic secured the seventh seed in the 2025 Play-In Tournament.

Image Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

The Orlando Magic outclassed the Boston Celtics 96-76 in a low-scoring affair at Kia Center on Wednesday, April 9. This was the last road game for the Celtics in the ongoing season, which saw all of their main starters sitting out. On the other hand, with the win, the Magic improved to 40-40 and secured the seventh seed in the 2025 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament as well as the Southeast Division title.

Franz Wagner recorded his 12th-straight 20-point game, and came up with 23 points, eight rebounds and two assists. While Paolo Banchero came up with 15 points, four rebounds and six assists, Cole Anthony finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists.

On the other hand, the Celtics rested many players including Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford, considering the playoffs are just around the corner. Their starting lineup featured Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet, Torrey Craig, and Baylor Scheierman taking the court.

WAGIC WIN 🪄 pic.twitter.com/vjwnI9xFQz
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) April 10, 2025

While it might have seemed like a meaningless game for the Celtics, they fell one win short of tying the Golden State Warriors for the most wins on the road in a season.

Coming back to the Magic, they will now host the eighth seed at home, on Tuesday, April 15. The winner of the game will earn the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference and will face the second-seeded Celtics in the First Round of this season’s playoffs.

Also Read: 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament Odds, Structure, Schedule and Playoffs Favorites- Riveting 7-10 seed battle, West has a sizzling race from top to bottom

Orlando Magic Maintain Upper Hand Over Celtics to Record 20-Point Win

The Boston Celtics got off to an 8-0 run in the first quarter and took a 10-7 lead over the Magic. However, with an 8-0 run and Cole Anthony’s seven points, the Magic soon took a 27-20 lead, and ended it 27-21. Baylor Scheierman led the Celtics with seven points. Within no time into the second quarter, Torrey Craig tallied his career-high first half record for defensive rebounds with 6.

The Magic continued their dominance in the second half and finished it with 49-41. Wagner scored 14 points with two steals while Cole Anthony was 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. The Magic went on a 13-4 run in the third quarter and extended their lead to 67-50. They finished the quarter with 80-61 while shooting 15-for-33 beyond the arc. Banchero led the Magic with nine points.

In the final period, the Celtics went on an 11-2 run, and cut the lead from 26 points to 17 points. However, the Magic kept on their momentum and finished the game with a 96-76 win over the rivals.

Baylor Scheierman and Payton Pritchard finished with 15 points, each to lead the Celtics’ scoring sheet. Luke Kornet finished with 14 points, three rebounds and one assist. Apart from them, Sam Hauser and Neemias Queta finished with 10 and 11 points, respectively.

Also Read: NBA’s 2024–2025 Defensive Player of the Year Race: Who Should Win the Award This Season?

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Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.