Morning Sports Update
“You can’t take people lightly, because you have to understand, when you’re the champs, there’s a target on your back.”
Paul Pierce’s Celtics-Magic prediction: Given that former Celtics star Paul Pierce has frequently argued on behalf of his former team during his media career, it should come as no surprise that he fully expects Boston to brush past its first-round playoff opponent, the Orlando Magic.
Pierce spoke about the upcoming series — which begins on Sunday at TD Garden at 3:30 p.m. — during a segment on Fox Sports’s “Speak.” He tried to find a way to credit the Magic (as Orlando recently won the play-in tournament game against the Hawks in decisive fashion).
“I’m not taking anything away from the Magic,” Pierce began. “They are an NBA team. As a matter of fact, they beat the Celtics twice to one this season.”
“They’re an NBA team. They are. They really are,” he reiterated.
Joking aside, he took issue with a problem that he thinks will cost the Magic against the Celtics.
“The thing is, they’re young, they’ve got a franchise player in Paulo Banchero. When I look at their offensive ranks, they’re 28th in scoring — which is not that good, last in 3-point percentage, last in 3-pointers made,” said Pierce. “They can’t score. They’re 27th in field goal percentage.”
He cautioned the Celtics, entering the playoffs as defending champions, against complacency facing a younger team like Orlando.
“Regular season, they’ve been having the Celtics’ number over the last couple years, but it is the playoffs. You can’t take people lightly, because you have to understand, when you’re the champs, there’s a target on your back,” he pointed out. “You’re going to get their best.”
Ultimately, Pierce could only give the Magic so much credit before unveiling his straightforward prediction.
“They have one of the best young rosters in all of basketball. With that being said, Celtics in four.”
Trivia: According to Basketball Reference Stats, three of the top 20 all-time NBA playoff scorers played for the Celtics during their careers. Can you name them?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: Two played in Boston for their entire careers, one was there for just a single season (his last in the NBA).
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox got a 1-0 win over the Rays on Wednesday to take two of the three-game series.
Boston will begin a four-game series against the White Sox on Friday at Fenway Park. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
A notable throwback: On Wednesday, the Patriots marked the 25th anniversary of drafting Tom Brady with the video clip from when he was selected in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.
This kid has plenty of potential 😉@TomBrady | #PatsDraft pic.twitter.com/2OMLwY3ekV
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 16, 2025
The case for Ashton Jeanty: Rich Eisen made his pitch for the Patriots to take a running back in the first round.
On this day: In 2022, Jayson Tatum scored at the buzzer to give the Celtics a 115-114 series-opening win over the Nets in the first-round playoff matchup. Boston would go on to sweep the Nets 4-0.
Daily highlight: David Hamilton’s first home run of the season was all the offense the Red Sox ultimately needed
An absolute laser! ☄️ pic.twitter.com/qSJ6ftnouC
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 16, 2025
Trivia answer: Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Shaquille O’Neal
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