Jaylen Brown addressed the physical play of the Orlando Magic following the Boston Celtics’ 95-93 loss in Game 3.
“There might be a fight break out or something because it’s starting to feel like it’s not even basketball, and the refs are not controlling their environment,” said Brown. “So it is what it is. If you want to fight it out, we can do that.”
Brown suffered a dislocated left index finger following a flagrant foul on Friday night.
Jayson Tatum had already missed Game 2 due to a injured right wrist. Kristaps Porzingis also received five stitches in Game 2.
The Celtics were also without Jrue Holiday due to a hamstring strain.
“They’re just borderline fouling. That’s what it is. Borderline fouling and fouling, and some of it, [the referees] call it, of course, and some of it they don’t, and that’s how it’s going to be,” added Porzingis.
Game 3 featured a total of 43 fouls and 35 turnovers.
The Celtics averaged 10.7 three-pointers per game against the Magic during the regular season, their lowest against any team in the NBA.
“They obviously upped their ball pressure at the point of attack — full court and half court,” said Joe Mazzulla. “They didn’t accept switches as easy. So I would say you have to give credit to them for their defensive physicality, but we also had some [plays] that we have to be better at.”
