The Celtics have hit a rough stretch as they’ll look to bounce back from some recent losses. Fortunately, the injury news continues to be positive. The Celtics have nobody listed on their injury report ahead of the 7 p.m. Friday game at TD Garden against the Magic.
That’s been the case for the past few games as the C’s have been at full strength, starting their preferred lineup. But that hasn’t resulted in wins as the C’s dropped their game to the Raptors last time out. They’re just 7-7 over the past 14 games.
The starting lineup has also hit some snags recently, including slow starts to games. That five-man group of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis played great last season, but that hasn’t been the case through the early parts of the year.
The Celtics looked uninspired throughout the Raptors loss as they dropped another game as part of a frustrating overall stretch. They went 8-6 in December then are just 4-3 in January thus far as the schedule doesn’t lighten up going forward.
The Magic come into Friday’s game with a 23-19 record as they’re fifth in the East right at the midway point of the year. They’ve endured injuries early on this season, but they’ve remained competitive. Paolo Banchero has also played in the last three games as he’s looked good since coming back from an oblique injury.
But the Magic will be shorthanded again Friday missing key guys. They have six players on the injury report in Franz Wagner (reconditioning), Goga Bitadze (concussion protocol), Gary Harris (left hamstring strain), Jalen Suggs (low back strain), Jett Howard (left ankle sprain) and Mac McClung (G League). Still, Orlando beat Boston 108-104 back on Dec. 23 despite being shorthanded. Plus, considering how the C’s have played recently, no game will be an easy one.