Shaq Sends Clear Message About Celtics vs Magic Series

On Sunday, the Boston Celtics reminded the world that they are, indeed, the defending champions, in their 103-86 defeat of the visiting Orlando Magic for the opening game of their quarterfinal playoff series.

Although Orlando's two best players did step up offensively, no other Magic player could hit the broad side of a barn. Star forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner scored 36 and 23 points, respectively. No other starter scored more than six points, while only one other player, reserve Jonathan Isaac, scored more — with a whopping seven points.

Granted, the Magic are starting 33-year-old career backup Cory Joseph at point guard thanks to the season-ending knee injury of All-Defensive Team guard Jalen Suggs, and veteran swingman Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been a massive disappointment in the first season of the three-year, $66 million deal he inked last summer.

More Boston Celtics News: Celtics Stars Roast One Another Over Old Social Media Photos

What made the win so much more sweet is that Boston's three leading scorers — All-Star forwards Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and center Kristaps Porzingis — all had off nights offensively.

Despite scoring 17 points on an inefficient 8-of-22 shooting line from the floor, Tatum did chip in 14 rebounds and his typical elite defense. Brown scored 16 points on just 6-of-14 shooting from the floor and 4-of-4 shooting from the charity stripe, but also submitted solid defense along the wing. Porzingis scored just five points on 1-of-8 shooting from the floor and 3-of-4 shooting from the foul line.

Some role players stepped up on a deep Celtics squad. All-Defensive Team guard Derrick White led all Boston scorers with 30 points on 10-of-18 shooting from the floor (7-of-12 from distance) and 3-of-3 shooting from the free throw line, while Sixth Man of the Year contender Payton Pritchard notched 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field and 3-of-3 shooting from the foul line.