Boston Celtics escape with a wild 138-129 victory over a shorthanded Orlando Magic squad, but is their inconsistency a red flag for the upcoming stretch? John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal breaks down the rollercoaster performance that showcased both the best and worst of Celtics basketball—including Jaylen Brown’s clutch closing run and a concerning fourth-quarter collapse. With key players like Neemias Queta sidelined and questions swirling around rotations, the Celtics’ margin for error looks slimmer than ever.

Key discussions highlight Anfernee Simons’ emergence off the bench, Derrick White’s evolving role, and why Luka Garza was notably absent in the matchup. Karalis explores the team-wide lessons Boston must learn as they brace for a brutal stretch against the Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Can the Celtics tighten up their game plan and turn high-scoring flashes into sustainable wins? Find out what this mixed-performance means for their playoff ambitions.

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