Orlando Magic (23-19) vs. Boston Celtics (28-12)
January 17, 2025 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Boston Celtics -12.5; Over/Under: 210
(Get latest betting odds)
The Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics meet Friday in NBA action at the TD Garden. Here’s a Celtics vs Magic Prediction. This article will include a Celtics vs Magic Pick.
Orlando Magic Betting Preview
The Orlando Magic lost to the Bucks, beat the 76ers, and they play the Nuggets, Raptors, and Trail Blazers next. The Orlando Magic are averaging 104.5 points on 44.3 percent shooting and allowing 103.7 points on 46.7 percent shooting. Paolo Banchero is averaging 27.6 points and 4.9 assists, while Franz Wagner is averaging 24.4 points and 5.6 rebounds. Jalen Suggs is the third double-digit scorer and Moritz Wagner is grabbing 4.9 rebounds. The Orlando Magic are shooting 30.7 percent from beyond the arc and 77.5 percent from the free-throw line. The Orlando Magic are allowing 36.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.5 rebounds per game.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The Boston Celtics beat the Pelicans, lost to the Raptors, and play the Hawks, Warriors, and Clippers next. The Boston Celtics are averaging 117.5 points on 45.7 percent shooting and allowing 108.8 points on 45.4 percent shooting. Jayson Tatum is averaging 27.7 points and 9.4 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown is averaging 23.4 points and 5.9 rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis is the third double-digit scorer and Derrick White is grabbing 4.3 rebounds. The Boston Celtics are shooting 36.2 percent from beyond the arc and 78.8 percent from the free throw line. The Boston Celtics are allowing 35.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.2 rebounds per game.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Celtics have won 15 of their last 16 home games after losing as favorites.
- The Magic have lost 11 of their last 12 road games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the last five games between the Magic and Celtics.
- The Magic have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight night games at TD Garden following a road loss.
Why the Orlando Magic will win
- The Magic have won each of their last two games as road underdogs following a loss.
- The Celtics have lost four of their last six games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Magic have covered the spread in each of their last four games following a loss.
Boston Celtics Player Facts
- Jayson Tatum is one of only three players in the league to be leading his team for points, rebounds, and assists this season.
- Derrick White ranks 14th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (3.3) this season.
Orlando Magic Player Facts
- Cole Anthony is the only player to have scored 35+ points off the bench in a game this season.
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ranks 3rd in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.6) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for turnovers per game this season (11.9).
- The Celtics rank 30th in the league for opponent free throw percentage this season (79.7%).
- The Magic rank 30th in the league for points per game this season (104.5).
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for opponent assists per game this season (22.0).
Celtics vs Magic Injury Report
The Magic will be without Jett Howard, Goga Bitadze, Moritz Wagner, Franz Wagner, Gary Harris, and Jalen Suggs.
The Boston Celtics don’t have any players listed on their injury report.
Celtics vs Magic Prediction
I understand why the Magic are massive dogs, as half of their team is injured. I’m still not laying double-digit chalk with the Celtics. The Celtics have failed to cover three straight games as a double-digit favorite, and they’ve lost outright four times since December as a double-digit favorite. The Celtics keep getting these inflated lines and they’re not cashing. Even with the injuries, the Magic keep playing hard, and their defense allows them to hang around. Also, the Celtics and Magic played about three weeks ago, and Orlando won as a 9.5-point dog. I’m going to grab the points with the Magic on the road, even though it’s a fade of the Celtics more than anything.
