The Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic will close down their three-game regular-season series on Wednesday night, so hereโs the best betting pick for their Eastern Conference showdown at Amway Center in Orlando.
The visitors opened as firm 6-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, looking to sweep the Magic for the second straight season. The Celtics thrashed off Orlando in their previous two encounters, 112-96 as 9-point home favorites and 124-97 as 4-point home favorites.
Boston looks to bounce back from a tough home loss to Portland
The Boston Celtics (34-31; 31-34 ATS) are coming off a 129-119 home loss to the Portland Trail Blazers this past Sunday, recording their fourth defeat in the last six outings. They scored just 48 points in the second half and finished the game with eight turnovers more than the Trail Blazers who shot 51.8% from the field and 50.0% from downtown.
The Celtics went 20-for-39 from deep against Portland (51.3%), but their defense has been terrible for all 48 minutes. Jayson Tatum had 33 points on 11-for-19 shooting from the field, but Jaylen Brown went only 6-for-22 and finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Boston dropped to the seventh spot of the Eastern Conference standings. The Celtics are one game behind the No. 6 seed and 2.5 games ahead of the eighth-seeded Charlotte Hornets. Theyโll play five of the remaining seven games away from home.
Orlando surprisingly won two straight games
The Orlando Magic (21-44; 31-32-2 ATS) proved their worth over the last few days, outlasting the Memphis Grizzlies 112-111 as 11.5-point home dogs and the Detroit Pistons 119-112 as 2-point home favorites. Also, the Magic are 3-1 straight up and ATS in their previous four games overall.
Mo Bamba led the way for Orlando last Monday, torturing the Pistons for 22 points and 15 rebounds off the bench. The Magicโs starters combined for just 49 points, but their second unit dominated the Pistons, especially in the second half.
Orlando is still the No. 14 seed in the East, but the Magic are now a couple of games ahead of Detroit. Theyโll continue to develop a few young and talented players including Mo Bamba and Cole Anthony whoโs averaging 16.2 points and 5.4 assists per game over his previous ten outings.
Trends:
Boston:
- 6-2 ATS in the last eight road contests
- 4-1 ATS in the last five road tilts against Orlando
Orlando:
- 1-4 ATS in the last five games against Boston
- 4-9-1 ATS in the last 14 games overall
- 4-9 ATS in the last 13 tilts against the Atlantic Division
The Celtics shouldnโt underestimate the Magic who are 3-1 in their last four games. Boston easily outlasted Orlando in their first two meetings of the season, so Iโm looking for another comfortable victory by Brad Stevensโ boys.
Orlando is quite shorthanded, missing eight players due to injuries. On the other side, the Celtics desperately need a win, trying to avoid the play-in tournament. They should be fired up to put on a good performance, so give me the visitors to cover.
Pick: Take Boston Celtics -6.0 at -110
The Total:
The Celticsโ defense hasnโt been at its best lately, allowing 111 or more points in five consecutive games. They limited the magic below 100 points in each of their first two encounters this term, and Orlando could finally surpass that threshold in this one.
The Magic have scored more than 100 points in five of their previous six showings. Therefore, Iโm going with the over, hoping for these two foes to combine for at least 218 points. Bostonโs last five games went in the over, as well as six of Orlandoโs previous seven.
Pick: Go over 217.5 points at -110