PREVIEW: The Boston Celtics begin their championship defense against the Orlando Magic in a compelling first-round matchup that showcases contrasting basketball philosophies. Boston's roster remains largely unchanged from last year's title run, but they've doubled down on their perimeter-focused attack, leading the NBA with a league-best 53.6% of shot attempts from beyond the arc and ranking third in three-point efficiency. The Celtics' high-spacing offense (ranked 2nd) and disciplined approach have resulted in the second-lowest turnover rate in the league, creating a mathematical advantage that most teams struggle to overcome. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown headline a squad where every rotation player has the green light to fire from deep, contributing to Boston's league-leading 17.8 three-pointers per game. The defensive-minded Magic present an intriguing challenge as they lead the NBA in limiting opponents' three-point attempts (38.5%) and excel on the defensive glass (ranked 1st). Orlando's deliberate pace (29th) and Franz Wagner-Paolo Banchero tandem form the backbone of a team that forces a high volume of turnovers (2nd) and gets to the free-throw line consistently (2nd in free throw rate). The Magic's approach could potentially disrupt Boston's rhythm, as evidenced by Orlando winning the regular season series 2-1, though one victory came when the Celtics rested their starters. The question remains whether the Magic's struggling perimeter offense (ranked 27th in three-point efficiency) can generate enough points to keep pace with Boston's high-powered attack in this clash of basketball identities.