The Orlando Magic (0-1) and Boston Celtics (1-0) will meet in Game 2 of their first round NBA Playoff series tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The game will broadcast live on TNT.
The Celtics are 10.5-point favorites over the Magic on the spread (Celtics -10.5), with the over/under set at 196.5 total points. Boston is a -550 favorite to win outright, while Orlando is +400 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Magic vs. Celtics predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, April 23.
Magic vs. Celtics Picks, Prediction for NBA Playoffs Game 2
Spread
The Magic lost the series opener 103-86 despite keeping Boston's two best players, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, under 17 points apiece. With Tatum doubtful for Game 2, the challenge for Orlando will be whether it can do enough to hang around for all four quarters of the game.
Moneyline
Orlando fought hard to secure this playoff position, but I'm not sure it has enough depth to escape TD Garden with a victory in Game 2.
Over/Under
Although I'd lean to the under for the total, we've lost some value considering it's down to 196.5 after opening at 201.5. Therefore, my only option is to pass at the current price.
My Pick: Magic First Half Spread +6.5 (-110)
Magic vs. Celtics Odds for Wednesday, April 23
| Magic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10.5 -110 | 196.5 -110o / -110u | +400 |
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10.5 -110 | 196.5 -110o / -110u | -550 |
- Magic vs. Celtics spread: Celtics -10.5
- Magic vs. Celtics over/under: 196.5 total points
- Magic vs. Celtics moneyline: Magic +400, Celtics -550
- Magic vs. Celtics best bet: Magic 1H +6.5 (-110)
Magic vs. Celtics Game 2 Preview
It might surprise you to know that Orlando has been one of the more successful teams to face the defending champions, winning six of the last 10 meetings. The Magic play with a consistent style of physicality where they don't give their opponents much room to breathe on offense.
Shots are constantly contested with Magic players repeatedly stepping into passing lanes to create turnovers.
While the Magic are known for their ability to almost grind games down to a halt, we nearly take for granted how good this team is defensively. Orlando finished second in defensive categories, which including efficiency (109.1) and opponent turnovers (16.2), and led the league in blocked shots (6.0) and 3-point field goals allowed (11.4).
What's remarkable is that opponents are making this many mistakes in games against the Magic despite having much fewer possessions.
Unfortunately for the Magic, the plaudits come to a halt if we shift the conversation to their offense that finished the season with the fourth-worst rating, averaging 108.9 points per 100 possessions. If we dig even further and omit pace of play by solely focusing on efficiency, Orlando's Effective Field Goal Percentage (51%) was the second-worst in the league.
Given the limited offense, Orlando needs its full complement of players to have any chance of success. Season-ending injuries to Jalen Suggs and Moritz Wagner have left the Magic extremely thin when you look at the depth on their roster.
As a result, while I'm confident Orlando can start this game brightly, I'm less optimistic that they can maintain the same burst of energy in the second half. Thus, an Orlando first-half wager might be our best opportunity to cash in on any value with the visitors.
Magic vs. Celtics Betting Predictions
Since joining the Celtics, White has played his way into a starting role on the team. The Colorado product ranked second behind Tatum (6.0) for the team lead in assists with 4.8 during the regular season.
White's emergence helps to highlight the depth of this Celtics roster, and we're starting to see Payton Pritchard play an even bigger role as a point guard option off the bench for head coach Joe Mazzulla. Pritchard averaged 28.4 minutes per game, which was almost as much as Kristaps Porzingis (28.8), who started all 42 games he appeared in.
With Pritchard and White offering more of a scoring threat, the Celtics are more likely to utilize both players as facilitators, while Jrue Holiday plays the role of a defensive stopper. Holiday has slipped down the Celtics' pecking order in terms of assists, now ranking fourth behind Tatum, White and Brown.
Holiday's rebounds + assists prop is available at 9.5, a number he has failed to cover in eight straight games when facing a top-10 defense. During that stretch, he averaged just 6.75 rebounds + assists with a median of seven. This season, he also averaged only 8.13 rebounds + assists, which also falls below the current prop line.
While the assumption here is that Holiday will play a bigger role should Taytum sit out, the Celtics have proven they have enough depth to share the production among multiple players. Therefore, this prop feels slightly inflated, and I can only look to play the under in this spot.
Combining Holiday's prop with Orlando covering the first-half spread gives us +230 odds on a same-game parlay at Fanatics.
Magic vs. Celtics Best Bet for Game 2
- Magic First Half Spread +6.5 (-110)
Magic vs. Celtics Game 2 Parlay Picks
- Jrue Holiday Under 9.5 Rebounds + Assists
- Magic 1H +6.5
Parlay Payout: +230
Celtics vs. Magic Betting Trends
