Before the Boston Celtics stepped onto the floor to defend their championship in Game 1 of the playoffs, former Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard stirred the pot with a bold claim. While the Celtics have the title and talent, Howard hinted that the underdog Magic could still pull off something special.
Stephen A. Smith backed the underdog Magic during the latest NBA episode on ESPN while delivering a strong message to the Celtics ahead of Sunday’s game. He cautioned that Orlando’s unique edge could turn the series into something “very interesting.”
“Even though the Magic can’t shoot threes, they will lock your behind. If they can do that against the Boston Celtics, they can make it very interesting,” Smith said.
"Even though the Magic can't shoot threes … they will lock yo behind up."@StephenASmith believes the Magic can make this series "very interesting" if they run the Celtics off the 3-point line 👀 pic.twitter.com/ndI3NmOlsR
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 20, 2025
But once the ball tipped at TD Garden, the Celtics clarified that they weren’t here for surprises. Boston came out with intensity on both ends of the court and then wrapped up the night with a 103-86 victory. They clamped down on Orlando’s rising star Paolo Banchero, holding him to just 15 points on 6-of-17 shooting.
Stephen A. Smith Believes Jaylen Brown’s Health is Crucial For The Boston Celtics’ Title Hopes
The Boston Celtics have begun their playoff journey in pursuit of back-to-back championships. Meanwhile, Stephen A. Smith has made it clear that the fate of their title defense may rest squarely on the shoulders of Jaylen Brown.
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“Primary thing I want to see is the health of Jaylen Brown. Because I think if they’re going to repeat as champions, they need Jaylen Brown,” Smith said.
Brown’s health remains a key concern for Boston, as he sat out the final three games of the regular season. However, he looked solid in limited action against the Magic, finishing with 16 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals in just 30 minutes on the court.
