Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics Picks and Predictions April 27th 2025

Celtics Prepared to Put Up Fight vs. Physical Magic in Game

The NBA playoffs have a unique way of exposing not just skill, but also resilience. For the Boston Celtics, the first three games against the Orlando Magic have been a brutal reminder that playoff basketball is a war of attrition as much as it is a test of talent.

After a frustrating loss on Friday, the Celtics will look to regroup and retake control of their first-round series when they visit the Orlando Magic for Game 4 on Sunday night. Orlando, meanwhile, has no intentions of backing down and sees an opportunity to even the series at two games apiece.

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Celtics’ Offense Stalls in Game 3

Heading into Friday’s contest, Boston appeared firmly in control, having won both games at home with relative ease. However, the script flipped dramatically in Orlando. Despite building a 10-point halftime lead, the Celtics stumbled badly after intermission, scoring a season-low 11 points in the third quarter.

Star forward Jayson Tatum acknowledged the team’s offensive stagnation afterward, offering a simple but telling analysis.

“We just got stagnant,” Tatum said. “We’ve just got to play with some more pace and movement. That’s when we’re just at our best.”

It wasn’t for a lack of effort from Tatum himself. Playing through a bruised wrist that had kept him out of Game 2, Tatum delivered a gritty 36-point performance, including 21 points in the first half alone. But as the Magic ratcheted up the defensive pressure, Boston’s offensive rhythm disintegrated.

Tatum admitted that pain tolerance was part of the challenge but emphasized that his wrist was steadily improving.

“It’s just dealing with pain tolerance,” he said. “The treatment has been progressing every day and I felt like I could try to go out there and play.”

The Celtics have proven time and again that they can shoot their way out of slumps, but against a physical team like Orlando, finesse alone may not be enough.

Orlando’s Physicality Sets the Tone

If there was any doubt that the Magic planned to make this series a street fight, Game 3 erased it.

Franz Wagner led the charge offensively with 32 points, while Paolo Banchero added 29 of his own. Wagner also dished out eight assists and grabbed seven rebounds, embodying the all-around aggression that has become Orlando’s playoff identity.

When asked about Wagner’s performance, Banchero praised his teammate’s relentlessness.

“I would say really gutsy,” Banchero said. “He was locked in from start to finish on both sides of the ball, just being ultra-aggressive.”

Orlando’s aggression, however, came at a cost. Cole Anthony earned the team’s third flagrant foul of the series when he yanked Jaylen Brown’s arm during a drive to the basket, resulting in a dislocated index finger for Brown.

Brown downplayed the severity but made it clear he wouldn’t be backing down.

“I dislocated my index finger, but I got nine more so I’m all right,” Brown said, flashing a bit of humor. Then, shifting to a more serious tone, he added, “There might be a fight break out or something because it’s starting to feel like it’s not even basketball, and the refs are not controlling the environment. So it is what it is. If you want to fight it out, we can do that. We can fight to see who goes to the second round.”

Brown’s frustration was evident, and it underscores the razor-thin line between playoff physicality and outright brawling — a line the Magic seem willing to flirt with if it throws Boston off its game.

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Injury Concerns Loom Over Game 4

As if the emotional intensity wasn’t high enough, injuries are now playing a significant role in the series narrative.

The Celtics were already without key guard Jrue Holiday, sidelined by a strained right hamstring. His absence was felt in Game 3, particularly in Boston’s struggle to contain Orlando’s guard play and their inability to generate easy offense in the halfcourt.

Compounding matters, Kristaps Porzingis has been playing through his own lingering injuries, and the cumulative toll of the series’ physical play is evident across Boston’s roster.

On the Magic’s side, Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley has been careful to rotate his big men effectively, managing minutes for Goga Bitadze and Wendell Carter Jr. to ensure they stay aggressive without fouling out.

Both teams understand that health — or lack thereof — could swing the outcome of the series.

Boston’s Adjustments: Matching Fire with Fire

Game 4 will test the Celtics’ ability to adapt and respond. If Orlando is going to lean into physicality, Boston must be prepared to meet force with force.

“We have to also bring our game and our physicality,” Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis said. “That’s what teams need to do to compete with us. They got us (Friday), but we’ll bounce back.”

Boston has the experience advantage — many of their core players have made deep playoff runs — and Rivers’ playoff acumen should not be underestimated. Expect the Celtics to be better prepared to absorb Orlando’s blows and respond with smarter, tougher basketball.

The return of Jrue Holiday would be a massive boost if he’s cleared to play, but even if he remains sidelined, the Celtics are capable of adjusting their strategy.

In particular, look for Boston to lean more heavily on ball movement and spacing to punish Orlando’s aggressive defense. The Celtics’ success in the regular season was built around efficient three-point shooting and swift ball rotation, and a return to those principles could be the key to silencing the raucous Amway Center crowd.

Magic’s Mindset: Stay Aggressive, Stay Focused

For the Magic, the blueprint is simple: continue playing tough, physical basketball without crossing the line into recklessness.

Orlando’s role players have been instrumental. Cole Anthony’s energy off the bench, even beyond the flagrant foul, has sparked runs. Wendell Carter Jr.’s inside presence has helped neutralize some of Boston’s size advantage. And veterans like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have provided much-needed playoff savvy.

Carter spoke to the team’s focus heading into Game 4.

“(The Game 3 victory) can propel us into whatever the future holds for us,” Carter said. “At the same time, you don’t want to dwell on this win too long. It’s still a series. It’s still the first to four. Our job is to take care of home court, take care of Sunday and we go from there.”

Orlando is playing with house money to a degree, but make no mistake — they believe they can win this series.

What’s at Stake

For Boston, a Game 4 win would put them firmly back in the driver’s seat heading back to TD Garden. A loss, however, would turn the series into a best-of-three toss-up with Orlando carrying all the momentum.

For Orlando, a Game 4 win would validate their gritty approach and give them real belief that they can upset one of the East’s heavyweights. After struggling for years to rebuild, stealing this series would represent a major step forward for the Magic’s young core.

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Conclusion: Prepare for a War

There are no more secrets between these two teams. Three games in, they know each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies. Game 4 won’t be decided solely by talent; it will be about grit, poise, and execution under playoff pressure.

Boston will come out with something to prove. Orlando will fight to hold their ground. Expect physicality, drama, and plenty of fireworks.

If you’re a fan of playoff basketball at its rawest, you won’t want to miss a minute.