Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics Betting Pick & Prediction 1/17/25
At 7:00 ET, the Celtics (-724) will host the Magic (+509) in a matchup between Eastern Conference foes. The over/under line is currently set at 211.
Orlando is currently 5th in the East with a record of 23-19. Meanwhile, Boston is 2nd in the East with a record of 28-12.
ORLANDO MAGIC VS BOSTON CELTICS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Boston Celtics -12.5
This game will be played at TD Garden at 7:00 ET on Friday, January 17th.
WHY BET THE BOSTON CELTICS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 138-75 in favor of the Celtics.
- Our projections have Jayson Tatum finishing with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.
- From the field, we have the Celtics finishing with a field goal percentage of 47.2% and knocking down 20 threes.
Taking a Look at the Magic Chances in Boston
The Magic fell to 23-19 on the season after a 122-93 loss to the Bucks on Wednesday. Orlando, who entered the game as +6.5 point underdogs, couldn’t keep it close, losing by 29 points. The total score of 215 points narrowly exceeded the pre-game over/under line of 212.5.
Milwaukee’s 19-0 run early in the game put Orlando in a deep hole, as the Bucks stretched the score from 11-9 to 30-9. The Magic trailed 34-16 after the 1st quarter and couldn’t make up ground, losing each of the next three quarters by a small margin.
In their 122-93 loss to the Bucks, the Magic shot just 34.7% from the field and 26.1% from three-point range, despite making 12 threes. Paolo Banchero led the way with 22 points, adding 7 in both the 1st and 4th quarters.
Trevelin Queen chipped in 13 points, with 9 coming in the final period, and Wendell Carter Jr. added 12 points and 10 rebounds. Carter and Cole Anthony each scored 7 points in the 2nd quarter.
Defensively, the Magic struggled against the Bucks, giving up 122 points on 62% shooting. Orlando allowed 34 points in the 1st quarter and 30 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters.
Orlando limited Milwaukee to 7 made threes, but the Bucks still shot 58% from deep. The Magic sent the Bucks to the line 35 times, where they made 25 free throws. Orlando finished with 13 steals and 1 block.
Can the Celtics Hold Strong at Home?
The Celtics dropped to 28-12 on the season after a 110-97 road loss to the Raptors on Wednesday. Boston entered the game as 14-point favorites but couldn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game were 207, falling well short of the 229.5 O/U line.
Boston led 29-25 after the 1st quarter, but a 12-0 run by Toronto shifted momentum. The Raptors outscored the Celtics 30-24 in the 2nd quarter and 33-29 in the 3rd. Boston trailed 88-82 heading into the 4th and managed just 15 points in the final quarter while Toronto scored 22.
In their 110-97 loss to the Raptors, the Celtics shot just 39.6% from the field, with a three-point percentage of 34.8%. They made 16 threes in the game.
Payton Pritchard led the Celtics with 20 points, hitting 4 threes at a 50% rate. Kristaps Porzingis also made 4 threes, shooting 80% from deep and finishing with 18 points. Jayson Tatum added 16 points, despite shooting 33.3% from the field.
Defensively, the Celtics gave up 110 points to the Raptors, including 33 in the 3rd quarter, but they tightened up in the 4th, allowing just 22 points. Boston held Toronto to 11 made threes on 32% shooting from beyond the arc.
The Celtics sent the Raptors to the line 15 times, where they made 9 free throws. Boston finished with 32 defensive rebounds, while allowing 13 offensive boards. They also recorded 6 steals and 8 blocks.