Celtics Catch Shorthanded Magic Without Paolo Banchero as Win Streak Hits the Road

The Celtics begin a tough stretch of schedule Sunday afternoon in Orlando. Here's a full preview, starters, injury report, things to watch, and a prediction

Apr 27, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) is guarded by Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) in the fourth quarter during game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Boston Celtics have won four straight and start their first full road trip Sunday afternoon in Orlando (Their one road game so far was the season-opener in Detroit). The Magic will be without five players, including All-Star forward Paolo Banchero. 

Records: Celtics 4-1 (4-0 home, 0-1 road). Magic 2-3 (0-2 home, 2-1 road)

Broadcast details

Tip-off: 3:30 p.m. ET, Kia Center
TV: NBC Sports Boston.  No national broadcast.

Projected Starters

• Celtics: Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Paul George, Jordan Walsh, Neemias Queta
• Magic Jase Richardson, Desmond Bane, Anthony Black, Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter, Jr..

Officials

Curtis Blair (#74) Gediminas Petraitis (#50) Che Flores (#91)

Injury report

• Celtics: Guard Devin Carter is out with mononucleosis, but he’s been around the team and on the bench the past two games, so he’s progressing. Center Mitchell Robinson is out (rest).
• Magic: Paolo Banchero (right high ankle sprain), Jalen Suggs (right knee bone bruise), Jonathan Isaac (left knee), Noah Penda (right hamstring) and Izaiyah Nelson (left ankle) are all out.

Here's your full-season Celtics guide, with the full roster, schedule, salaries, and more.

Season Series

This is the first of four meetings between these teams.

Three Things I’m Watching For

Turnovers: Orlando is one of the highest turnover teams in the league, while Boston ranks fifth in forcing them. As we have seen with recent games against the Bulls, live-ball turnovers against the Celtics quickly turn into points and a big lead. 

Shot diet: The Magic allow the fifth-fewest three-point attempts in the league, but they are 22nd in opponent three-point percentage, so the shots teams are getting against Orlando tend to be good ones. They are also 21st in opponent attempts in the restricted area, and in the middle of the pack in opponent percentage there. So there will be chances to drive and finish first, then the Celtics can explore the kick-outs.

Rotations: With a very difficult back-to-back in Houston tomorrow, I’m very curious to see how Joe Mazzulla handles his rotations. Robinson is already out, so how does Mazzulla lean on Boston’s depth? Does he unleash everyone and try to keep overall minutes down, or does he hold a few guys back today and give them bigger minutes tomorrow?

Prediction

The Magic are just too sloppy without Suggs handling the ball and their defense has taken too big of a hit to do much against the Celtics. I can see a typical back-and-forth start and then a turnover-fueled run that breaks the game open. I think Boston ends up with a comfortable 117-104 win.

Make sure you come back for postgame coverage here on Celtics On SI, and on the Locked On Celtics podcast.