The announcement of Moritz Wagner's withdrawal for the rest of the season logically tarnished the Magic's victory against the Heat. However, this success was important because it came after three defeats in a row. But how can we continue with this avalanche of injuries against Boston?
The question arose before the match and even more so at the break, when the reigning champions had a fifteen-point lead. The Floridians' valiant efforts on defense were not enough to make up for the shortcomings on offense. But this team has one big quality: no matter the circumstances, they don't give up.
“I think it’s important that our identity remains our identity. We are a team that plays hard, and everyone knows that no matter who is on the floor, we are going to play hard,” summarizes Trevelin Queenhardly used this season, but came from Jamahl Mosley's hat. “Lost balls and stupid mistakes can sometimes be explained by our toughness. But we keep control over the essentials: we play hard for 48 minutes and we are rewarded. »
“We're dogs, that's all. It can’t be explained”
In the second half, the Celtics were stuck in the Magic's very tough and active defense. Jaylen Brown and his teammates, too easy until then, came across a bone and a united team.
“We were led but no one doubted. Coming back in the second half against such a team, which has just won the title, with our absentees and our injured people, it's huge. We have total confidence in each other,” confirms Jalen Suggs. “We're dogs, that's all. It can’t be explained”insists Cole Anthony. “We are motivated. The coach tells us that we have the weapons to win and we believe in it. We try to prove that night after night. »
Such a victory, even if Jayson Tatum was not there, snatched with teeth and a lot of character, gives even more confidence to this formation. It's even very encouraging for the weeks to come, when Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the team's two best players, will be back.
“We are like that. I'm not going to get tired of saying it and I don't want them to be surprised.” concludes coach Jamahl Mosley. “We talk about believing in it, the work to do and the cohesion to have. And that’s this group. We can't say it any other way. They have shown this and continue to demonstrate it. They believe in it. »
