The Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic delivered a thrilling Game 3 inside the Kia Center, with the Magic pulling out a 95-93 win. Orlando managed to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole and now has a chance to even the series when they step back onto the court Sunday.
The Celtics seemed to have control early, taking a 59-49 lead into halftime. But they came out flat in the third quarter, scoring just 11 points and struggling offensively. The Magic capitalized, taking a 73-70 lead heading into the fourth and holding on for the win.
Orlando’s dynamic duo of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner led the charge, finishing with 29 and 32 points, respectively. Jayson Tatum dropped 36 points for Boston, but it wasn’t enough. With Game 4 approaching, controversy around Game 3’s ending, particularly with a few questionable calls, is now front and center.
NBA Makes Huge Officiating Mistake in Celtics-Magic Game 3
NBA officials have had a rough season. While some mistakes are inherent to the job, the quality of officiating has come under heavy scrutiny. At times, it feels like the officials are watching a different game than the rest of the arena.
Several calls during Game 3 raised eyebrows, including a backcourt violation initially called on Paolo Banchero, which was later overturned. The fact that it was even called in the first place shows how shaky some of the officiating has been.
One particularly important missed call came when Franz Wagner drew a foul on Al Horford with under two minutes remaining. According to the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report, the foul call was incorrect and should have been in Boston’s favor. While that single call didn’t decide the game, every possession counts in the final minutes of a close playoff matchup.
With the technology now available to help review plays, many wonder why these mistakes continue to happen. Now, the focus turns to how Game 4 will be officiated — and how both teams respond.
Can the Magic Tie the Series?
The Magic have a golden opportunity to even the series at 2-2. But the Celtics, fueled by frustration over the Game 3 finish and the L2M report, are likely to come out swinging.
Will Boston take a commanding 3-1 series lead, or can Orlando pull off another upset? The keys for the Magic are simple: Banchero and Wagner must continue to play at an All-Star level. If they do, Orlando has a real chance.
However, the Celtics’ depth remains their biggest advantage. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Kristaps Porziņģis are all capable of heating up — and when Boston’s offense gets rolling, very few teams can keep up.
Can the Magic pull off another win and tie the series? We’ll find out soon.