Boston Celtics Hold Orlando Magic to Just 56 Points in Win

The Boston Celtics have been highly criticized this season for their slow start, and many have talked about blowing the team up. To make matters worse, the Celtics also sustained injuries to Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo, arguably the two best players for the team so far this season.

But in the face of all of this, the Celtics went out and had by far their best game of the season Monday night in a win against the Orlando Magic, 87-56. Players like Avery Bradley and Sasha Pavlovic were given starting roles because of the injuries, and they, along with many others, stepped up. 

Paul Pierce, who started out the season a little shaky, continued his good all-around play. He scored 19 points, grabbed five boards and dished out seven assists to help lead the team to victory. Former Magic player Brandon Bass also played very well against his former team, again leading the bench with 19 points and eight rebounds.

His play against former Celtic Glen Davis, who scored only six points, provided further evidence that the Bass-for-Davis trade was a very good one.

Even with the good play from Bass and Pierce, the best aspect of the game for the Celtics was the defense. They held the Magic, a good offensive team, to 56 points. 56 points! That just doesn't happen. It was an unbelievable and record-setting performance, as the mark was the lowest point total in Orlando Magic franchise history.

The Magic shot just 25 percent from the floor and 25 percent from three-point land. They scored just 20 points in the second half.

With this win, the Celtics not only proved that they are still an elite defensive team, but they also got their first win against a team with a winning record. Hopefully the chatter of blowing up the team will quiet down and the Celtics can build on this win. All in all, it was unbelievable for Boston to hold Orlando to only 56 points without Rondo, Allen and Keyon Dooling.

The Magic will look for revenge against the Celtics in their next game on Thursday, but the Celtics may be healthier and better equipped to take down the Magic yet again.