Cory

Joseph

Joseph provided value to Orlando’s starting lineup, logging 27 minutes and tallying his highest points and assists totals of the series. On the heels of the veteran guard’s most productive game of the postseason, it’s reasonable to expect Joseph will play a similar role for his team on Tuesday. The Magic will look to stay alive as they face the Celtics in Boston for Game 5.

Give Carter credit for his work on the boards and for being Kristaps Porzingis’ primary defender for most of Game 1. However, the offensive production was lackluster, a trend that also persisted during the regular season. Carter’s average of 9.1 per game was the lowest of his NBA career; this was the first season in which he failed to average double figures. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner will do most of the heavy lifting offensively, but they’re going to need help in this series. Fellow starters Carter, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (6/4/2/3 with two three-pointers) and Cory Joseph (zero points, two assists) combining to score 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting isn’t good enough. Game 2 is on Wednesday night.

On a night when starting guards Cory Joseph (5/5/2 with one three-pointer) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (nine points, two assists, one block and one three-pointer) combined to shoot 4-of-14 from the field, the Magic received vital contributions from both “Anthonys.” Cole shot well over 50 percent from the field in scoring his 26 points. His highlights included a 4-of-6 fourth quarter in which he made three three-pointers. Anthony Black also had a big night off the bench, but Cole is the more capable scorer. He’ll need to play to this level consistently if the Magic are to have a chance of upsetting Boston in the first round. Game 1 will be on Sunday.

Joseph will not play in Sunday’s regular season finale, as the Magic will host the Hawks in a play-in tournament matchup on Tuesday. Anthony Black will replace the veteran guard in the starting lineup, and he’s worth the risk in active deep leagues. He may not be a consistent shooter, but Black can rack up some steals against a Hawks lineup that will lack its top three players (Trae Young, Onyeka Okongwu and Dyson Daniels).

Joseph was the lone typical starter that suited up for Orlando on Friday, though he only played six minutes. If he plays in the regular season finale, don’t expect him to play a significant role. Anthony Black and Cole Anthony should fill out most of the point guard minutes.

Joseph is dealing with a minor knee injury but is healthy enough to play on Friday. He appears to be set to continue starting at point guard.

While Joseph is dealing with a sore left knee that led to his addition to the injury report, Caldwell-Pope exited Wednesday’s win over the Celtics with a strained left knee. KCP was replaced in the lineup by Caleb Houstan, who would likely start if the veteran is unavailable on Friday. Joseph’s absence would mean a point guard rotation of Cole Anthony and Anthony Black. With the Magic locked into the seven-seed in the East, the last two games of the regular season have minimal meaning for them.

Sidelined for nine of Orlando’s last 10 games with a toe injury, Anthony returned to the rotation on Tuesday. He was used in a reserve role, as the team is taking a cautious approach after an aggravation of the initial toe injury sidelined Anthony for seven of those nine games. He filled the stat sheet, but those who have him rostered took a hit in the field goal percentage category. Anthony’s return meant fewer minutes for Cory Joseph (6/2/1 with two three-pointers) and Anthony Black (4/2/3/3), who played 18 and 20 minutes, respectively. The Magic play their final game of Week 22 in Washington on Thursday, so managers who have any of these guards rostered will want to free up that roster spot for the weekend.

Following a seven-game absence, Anthony will be back to take on San Antonio. He had been a consistent starter at point guard, but he came off the bench in the last game he played, which was a return from a two-game absence. Anthony will come off the bench in this one, allowing Cory Joseph to continue to start. However, Joseph and Anthony Black will lose out on minutes with Anthony available.

Head coach Jamahl Mosley said Anthony is “trending in the right direction,” which doesn’t provide much clarity. He was listed as questionable instead of doubtful ahead of Monday’s game, which is a stronger indicator that a return is close. Orlando will play in San Antonio on Tuesday on the second night of a back-to-back, which will be Anthony’s next chance to suit up. Cory Joseph will continue to start at center, with Anthony Black filling out the backup minutes.