Celtics irked by Magics physical play during NBA playoff series: Its not basketball

The Orlando Magic’s physicality has been bothersome for the Boston Celtics.Despite having a 2-1 lead in the series, the first-round Eastern Conference playoff encounter has been notable due to the old-school nature of the series, which is expected.

The Magic entered 6-3 against Boston in their last nine games before this series, largely aided by defense.The Celtics, more of a finesse team by comparison, aren’t happy about it.The Celtics are calling out the Magic for what they describe as overly physical and dirty play during their playoff series.“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 their environment,” said 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, who was limited to 19 points in Game 3, which the Magic won 95-93 on Friday.Brown continued, “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.”The equally disgruntled Kristaps Porzingis, who was inadvertently elbowed in the face in Game 2 by Magic center Goga Bitadze and had seven points on 3-of-10 shooting, chimed in.“I mean, they’re just borderline fouling.

That’s what it is,” he assured.“Borderline fouling and fouling, and some of it, [the referees] call it, of course, and some of it they don’t, and that’s how it’s going to be.

We have to accept the reality — and also, we can use that.It’s not that there’s only one way; it’s both ways.”In Game 1, Jayson Tatum was flagrant fouled and injured his wrist, which caused him to miss Game 2 of the series — the first of his playoff career.The Porzingis incident followed, along with a Game 3 incident where Brown was swung to the ground, where he recoiled in pain with a dislocated index finger on his left hand.In Game 2, another flagrant foul by the Magic split open Porzingis’ forehead, requiring five stitches to close the Celtics center’s bloody wound.In the Magic’s ...