The Orlando Magic suffered a decisive 121-94 defeat to the Boston Celtics on Friday night, highlighting a critical weakness that has plagued the team throughout the season. Despite a solid performance from Paolo Banchero,

Despite injuries to their top three players, the Orlando Magic have found ways to remain competitive. Jamahl Mosley's team has fought tooth and nail to remain in the playoff picture and is currently fourth in the Eastern Conference.

SportsLine's model has simulated the Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics matchup 10,000 times and revealed its NBA picks for Friday

After Wednesday loss at Milwaukee, Magic players pointed to an atypical lack of energy at the root of the rout. At Friday's shootaround, second-year guard Anthony Black said games like this one with the Celtics are the ones "hoopers get up for."

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, right, looks to shoot against Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Orlando heads to Milwaukee for an Eastern Conference matchup Wednesday. The teams meet Wednesday for the first time this season.

Milwaukee turned in a well-balanced performance at home to pass Orlando and take over fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Boston and Orlando will play in a matchup of Eastern Conference foes. Friday's meeting is the first of the season for the squads.

the Orlando Magic have found ways to remain competitive. Jamahl Mosley's team has fought tooth and nail to remain in the playoff picture and is currently fourth in the Eastern Conference.

the Orlando Magic have found ways to remain competitive. Jamahl Mosley's team has fought tooth and nail to remain in the playoff picture and is currently fourth in the Eastern Conference.

The Magic are shooting 44.2% from the field this season, 2.2 percentage points lower than the 46.4% the Nuggets allow to opponents. The Nuggets score 16.2 more points per game (120.3) than the Magic allow (104.