Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics Game 1 Prediction, Playoff Odds
Boston’s been to two of the last three NBA Finals, winning their 18th NBA championship last season after going 16-3 in the post-season. Boston enters these playoffs as the two-seed in the East after another 60-plus win season. Orlando couldn’t build off a 47-win season last year but made the playoffs again with a 41-41 record. And 2022 first overall pick Paolo Banchero only played in 46 games this season due to injury but is back and putting up some huge numbers down the stretch.
For the seventh-seed Magic it’s very much a David vs. Goliath type of matchup, but Orlando has got a nice blend of young budding stars and experienced veterans; and sometimes if you don’t exactly know what the intensity of the post-season brings, the pressure affects you less. At least that’s what the Magic need to believe if they’re to pull off a major upset.
Tip-off at TD Garden gets going at 3:30 p.m. EDT with the Celtics -13.5 on the point spread at home and the over-under at 205.5 on the NBA odds.
Magic vs. Celtics NBA Betting Odds
Boston enters the NBA playoffs with +200 odds to repeat as champions. The Celtics have the second-best odds to win it all, slightly behind Oklahoma City at +185. Any value on a Celtics future must be for them to win it all, as Boston is a staggering -150 to win the Eastern Conference. And against the Magic in the first round, Boston is -5000 to advance. Any Orlando Magic believers can get them at a price of +1600 to move on, and +100,000 to win it all.
The Magic won two of three games against the Celtics this season, although Jayson Tatum did not play in both Boston losses. Tatum is the favourite to lead the series in points at +110 odds. Boston is still 8-2 in their last 10 games hosting Orlando, but the Magic have covered in seven of their last 10 meetings with the Celtics. Six of the last eight Magic–Celtics contests have finished under the total, which is no surprise as Orlando and Boston finished first and second in the NBA in points allowed this season.
Orlando Magic
The Magic booked their ticket to the post-season with a convincing 120-95 victory in the play-in tournament over Atlanta. Cole Anthony was the unsung hero for the Magic with 26 points off the bench, which is a good sign for Orlando as they’ll need their entire roster to elevate its game against this mighty Celtics squad.
This new Magic core got a taste of post-season basketball a season ago when they fell to Cleveland in seven games. It was Paolo Banchero’s first NBA playoffs series, and he rose to the occasion averaging 27 points and 8.6 rebounds per contest. Banchero will see a lot of Tatum in this series which means the rising Orlando star will need to be on his game if the Magic have any shot at winning this series. Another key for Orlando in this series is the scoring ability of forward Franz Wagner. The 23-year-old took the next step this season with a career-high 24.2 points per game this season.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics ran it back this season with their championship squad and got their second-straight 60-win season as a result. Boston is battle-tested, loaded with superstars, and deep as any other team in the league. It’s hard to poke at a single weakness on this team, as long as they stay healthy. Starting centre Kristaps Porzingis has a lengthy injury history and only appeared in 42 games this season. Behind Porzingis is a 38-year-old Al Horford, who is still productive but played the fewest games this season with Boston in his seven seasons there
Hypothetical injury problems shouldn’t make you doubt this Celtics squad though. The quest to repeat as NBA champions is very possible, with the duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown again leading the way. These two along with the majority of Boston’s roster is well-rested after being stuck in second place down the stretch, and ready to begin another post-season run.
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