Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic Prediction, NBA Odds
The Magic are coming off a heartbreaking 108-98 loss in Atlanta on Friday night to fall to 0-2 on the season. Conversely, the Celtics have stormed out of the gate with victories in their first two outings, capped by Friday night’s 111-104 win in Miami.
The Celtics’ fast start has given them legs on the NBA Saturday odds. Backed by 84% of sports bettors, the Celtics have vaulted to 9-point favourites since opening at -7. The total has been in rapid decline since opening at 218, dipping to 215.5. However, the OVER continues to command 91% of the betting action.
Celtics vs. Magic NBA Betting Odds
Saturday night’s matchup at Amway Center marks the first of four scheduled meetings this season between these Eastern Conference rivals. The Celtics have dominated in head-to-head action, tallying nine straight wins and covering the spread on eight occasions over that stretch. That run features four victories in Orlando by wide double-digit margins, with the Magic mustering an average of just 89 points per game in those contests. Despite the Magic’s struggle to generate points when facing Boston, the OVER enjoys a slim 6-4-0 edge in totals betting over their past 10 meetings.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics faced little resistance in their win in Miami on Friday night. With shooters converting on 51.9% of field goal attempts and 42.4% of three-pointers, the Celtics never trailed after seizing the lead late in the first quarter, and led by as many as 14 points in the final frame. For the second time in as many outings, the dup of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the attack, tallying 29 and 28 points, respectively. The challenge now facing Boston is to maintain that momentum while playing road games on back-to-back nights. That is not a category in which this team has excelled. The Celtics have lost four of five in the back half of games played on consecutive nights, with three of those defeats coming on the road.
Orlando Magic
For the second time in as many outings, a second-half letdown has proven costly for the Magic. The first overall pick at the 2022 NBA Draft, Paolo Banchero impressed in his NBA debut, scoring 27 points and adding nine rebounds. However, that production was not enough to save the Magic from a 113-109 season-opening loss in Detroit in a contest they led by as many as 15 points in the first half. Orlando once again stormed out to a double-digit lead in Friday’s date with the Hawks, but mustered just 17 fourth-quarter points on meagre 5-for-17 shooting to seal the loss. Winners of just 12 home games last season, the Magic have also produced woeful results when playing the second game on back-to-back nights, winning just four of their past 21, including five of their past six on home court.
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