The Orlando Magic (41-41) and Boston Celtics (61-21) will face off in Game 1 of their first round NBA Playoff series this afternoon. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The game will broadcast live on ABC.
The Celtics are 13.5-point favorites over the Magic on the spread (Celtics -13.5), with the over/under set at 205.5 total points. Boston is a -1000 favorite to win outright, while Orlando is +650 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Magic vs. Celtics predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, April 20.
Magic vs. Celtics Picks, Prediction
My Celtics vs. Magic Game 1 best bet is on Orlando to cover the spread, with the best line currently available at BetMGM. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
My Pick: Magic +13.5 (-110)
Magic vs. Celtics Odds
| Magic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+13.5 -110 | 205.5 -110o / -110u | +650 |
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-13.5 -110 | 205.5 -110o / -110u | -1000 |
- Magic vs. Celtics spread: Celtics -13.5
- Magic vs. Celtics over/under: 205.5 total points
- Magic vs. Celtics moneyline: Magic +650, Celtics -1000
- Magic vs. Celtics best bet:Magic +13.5 (-110)
Magic vs. Celtics Game 1 Preview
This should be a cakewalk for Boston. The Magic can’t shoot. At all. No one on the team can shoot. From anywhere. They are the worst 3-point shooting team by percentage in the league, and the ninth-worst 2-point shooting team.
The Magic's offense is deeply and fundamentally broken, and while Boston isn’t as good defensively as it was last year, the Celtics are still good enough to hold this Orlando team to pitifully low numbers.
The problem is the size of this spread, and how good Orlando’s defense is. The Magic have held the Celtics to their lowest average made 3-point rate. They just don’t let Boston get away from them.
Orlando is 6-4 SU and 7-3 ATS against Boston since 2021-22 (since Joe Mazzulla took over). Since 2023-24, when Orlando really got this roster in place, the Under is 4-2 in matchups between these teams.
I don’t think Orlando can win this game in Boston, but the Magic might have a puncher’s chance back at home to extend the series.
In the meantime, this is still too many points. I make this just Celtics -9.1. I’ll take Orlando +13.5, reluctantly.
Magic vs. Celtics Betting Predictions
Jaylen Brown Over 19.5 Points
This one is risky. Jaylen Brown is dealing with a knee injury that has required anti-inflammatory injections and has had to manage it. Here’s the upside: Orlando sells out at the rim and is great at preventing layups. They defend the three well.
What they do give up is shots in the paint outside the restricted area, specifically floaters and runners. Brown takes the most shots on the Celtics in that range. He’ll get his points here if he’s healthy enough to go.
Under 205.5
It’s just unlikely for the Celtics to put up 110 points in Game 1, and if they do, it’s because they forced enough turnovers to hold the Magic to 90.
These are two slow-paced teams with elite 3-point defenses. Orlando’s entire goal will be to prevent the Celtics from running away from them with the math, and Boston’s goal will be to force the Magic offense to drown in its own shallow water.
Magic vs. Celtics Best Bets
- Magic +13.5 (-110)
- Under 205.5
- Jaylen Brown Over 19.5 Points
Magic vs. Celtics Parlay Picks
- Celtics Moneyline
- Magic +13.5
- Under 205.5
Parlay Payout: +350
Boston wins, Magic keep it within single digits, game is a slog. Pretty simple script.
Celtics vs. Magic Betting Trends
