The Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic came to Kia Center on Monday night for a physical battle in a tale of two halves.
That put plenty on the officials to be involved in the game, and Jaylen Brown surely didn’t believe Boston got equal calls in the 108-104 loss.
The Celtics got a leading scoring effort from Brown with 35 points and the star’s fourth 30-point game of the season. Boston needed that effort as an illness sidelined Jayson Tatum for the night. Brown did find it interesting that he only attempted six free throws on the night in a rather physical game.
“Definitely a physical game,” Brown told reporters, per NBC Sports Boston’s postgame coverage. “Give credit to Orlando. We should have met the physicality a little bit better. I think it’s a good preparation game. Things wasn’t going our way. We felt officials was one-sided. I think it was good for us. I think we need to see that more and get used to that more. Get more comfortable with that level of environment.”
The Magic won the second half 65-46 with an aggressive attack and improved perimeter shooting against the Celtics. Brown believed Orlando gained the benefit of officiating while the team emerged as the aggressor.
“They was allowed to use their hands,” Brown said. “The team that sets the tone often kind of gets the game called in their favor. Felt like we fouled them more than we liked. I was in foul trouble a little bit trying to use my physicality. They were allowed to be physical tonight and it had an effect in the second half.”
The fourth quarter featured a scuffle between Kristaps Porzingis and multiple Magic players that Brown believes could actually benefit the Celtics mentally.
“I think it was a good thing though,” Brown countered. “Adversity is good, especially early in the season.”
Brown and the Celtics return home Christmas Day for an Eastern Conference rivalry matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday evening.
