Orlando Magic (41-41) vs. Boston Celtics (61-21)
April 20, 2025 3:30 pm EDT
The Line: Boston Celtics -14; Over/Under: 205.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics meet Sunday in the NBA playoffs Game 1 at 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 are coming off a play-in win over the Hawks and will play for the first time since Tuesday. The Magic are in the NBA playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time since 2019-20.
The Orlando Magic are averaging 106.7 points on 44.5 percent shooting and allowing 106.9 points on 46.8 percent shooting. Paolo Banchero is averaging 25.9 points and 4.8 assists, while Franz Wagner is averaging 24.2 points and 5.7 rebounds. Cole Anthony is the third double-digit scorer, and Anthony Black is grabbing 2.9 rebounds. The Orlando Magic are shooting 31.8 percent from beyond the arc and 77.5 percent from the free-throw line. The Orlando Magic are allowing 36.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42.4 rebounds per game.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The Boston Celtics have lost three games since March 2 and will play for the first time in a week. The Celtics are in the playoffs for an 11th straight season and are defending their NBA title.
The Boston Celtics are averaging 117.7 points on 46.2 percent shooting and allowing 108.5 points on 45 percent shooting. Jayson Tatum is averaging 26.8 points and 8.7 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown is averaging 22.2 points and 5.8 rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis is the third double-digit scorer and Derrick White is grabbing 4.5 rebounds. The Boston Celtics are shooting 36.8 percent from beyond the arc and 79.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Boston Celtics are allowing 34.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.9 rebounds per game.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Celtics have won each of their last 13 day games at TD Garden.
- The Magic have lost each of their last eight Eastern Conference First Round games as underdogs.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the last seven games between the Magic and Celtics.
- The Magic have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games as road underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents following a win.
Why the Orlando Magic will win
- The Magic have won each of their last three games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Celtics have lost three of their last five games as home favorites against Southeast Division opponents following a win.
- The Magic have covered the spread in eight of their last nine day games against Atlantic Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven games against Eastern Conference opponents following a win.
Boston Celtics Player Facts
- Payton Pritchard is the only player to have scored 40+ points off the bench in a game this season.
- Jayson Tatum is one of only three players in the league to be leading his team for points, rebounds and assists this season.
Orlando Magic Player Facts
- Paolo Banchero is one of only three players in the league to be leading his team for points, rebounds and assists this season.
- Cole Anthony is one of only five players to have scored 35+ points off the bench in a game this season.
Celtics vs Magic Injury Report
The Celtics don’t have any players listed on their injury report.
The Magic will be without Moritz Wagner and Jalen Suggs.
Celtics vs Magic Prediction
The Celtics have the ability to blow the doors off in this game and series, as there’s a gap in talent. Not having Suggs or Wagner doesn’t help the Magic. However, the Magic are playing some of their best ball of the season, which includes wins in seven of their last nine games. The Magic have beaten the Celtics twice since December, which includes a 20-point win 11 days ago. Also, those who have followed along all year know the Celtics don’t cover big numbers.
The Celtics were 38-43-1 ATS on the season and are 7-14 ATS in their last 21 games as a double-digit favorite. The Celtics are 0-3 ATS in their last three playoff games as a double-digit favorite, and one of those games was an outright loss. The Magic have issues scoring, but the defensive effort will be there. The Magic can slow things down and make the game ugly. Give me the points.
