Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics: Game Preview – NBA.com

BOSTON – There are not many teams that can say they’ve had success against the Boston Celtics over the course of the last two seasons. 
However, the Orlando Magic are one of those squads. 
Orlando has won four straight meetings with Boston, including a 17-point triumph just a few weeks ago. 
The Magic (16-7) will attempt to become the first team to defeat the league-leading Celtics (18-5) at TD Garden this season when they go head-to-head on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET. 
“It’s a great opportunity for our guys with them being undefeated at home,” said Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley of facing a C’s team that’s 12-0 in Boston. “The Garden is packed, it’s loud, and our guys are prepared and ready for the situation that we’re going to face. It’s a great opportunity for this group.” 
Orlando knows all about the value of home cooking. The Magic have won nine consecutive contests in Orlando – most recently delivering a dominant defensive effort in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.  
Now, they’ll look to take that show on the road. 
“It (requires) a high level of communication,” said Mosley, whose team will play in Boston again on Sunday. “The thing that this group has continued to do is we play hard. We play hard and we play for each other. But on the road, because of the atmosphere and because of the environment, you’ve got to be more connected. You’ve got to communicate with each other at a high level when the building is loud and people are screaming. You’ve got to make sure that you’re connected together on floor.” 
The Magic will need to play together as a seamless defensive unit to slow down a Celtics squad that’s loaded with weapons. Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis were valuable offseason additions and Derrick White continues to blossom in Boston. 
However, any defensive game plan starts with limiting perennial All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Both Tatum (27.3) and Brown (22.1) are averaging over 20 points per game this season. 
“Boston does a great job of not only their team being a good team, but their fans are great fans,” said Magic forward Jonathan Isaac. “The same way we see our homecourt as an advantage for us, it is an advantage for them. It would be exactly what we want and need right now, to come in here and get two wins.” 
IN AND OUT: Markelle Fultz (left knee tendinitis) is listed as questionable and will be a game-time decision. Wendell Carter Jr. (left hand; fractured third metacarpal), Kevon Harris (coach’s decision) and Trevelin Queen (G League – Two-Way) are out for Orlando.  
Boston’s injury report is not yet submitted. 
KEY STATS: The Magic held the Cavs to 35.3 percent from the floor on Monday – the lowest field goal percentage allowed in the NBA this season. Orlando also held Cleveland to 94 points. It was the eighth time this season that the Magic held their opponents to less than 100, tied for the most in the association. 
QUOTE TO NOTE: “It is who we are as an organization, as a team, all of our players, our staff, our coaches; it’s what we represent. You talk about being involved in the community and being champions on and off the court. The way that you do that is by taking care of those around you and taking care of the community that supports you.” – Mosley on the Magic’s efforts in the community leading up to the holidays  
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