The Boston Celtics host the Orlando Magic at the T.D. Garden in their first home game in two weeks following a 4-2 road trip that mostly took place on the west coast. Boston took losses to the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers on the trip, but they’ve since stabilized with a spectacular come-from-behind overtime victory over the Los Angeles Lakers — a game they were down 13 points with under five minutes left in regulation and, before that, up 20 on the Lakers in the first half.
Orlando comes into tonight’s game on the strength of a four-game winning streak, most recently defeating the Atlanta Hawks by double-digits on the road. The Magic swept a back-to-back against the Toronto Raptors before that and came back from an 18-point first-quarter hole to catch the Los Angeles Clippers off guard in a 116-111 victory for Orlando at home.
To add to the intrigue of a young Magic squad coming together, led by their young duo of Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero — and to a lesser extent, very temporary Celtic Bol Bol — will be facing a Cs squad returning Robert Williams III.
Does Boston convincingly cut short Orlando’s win streak? Or will the young Magic give the Cs a fight at the T.D. Garden Friday night? Hardwood Houdini has your odds and a prediction for the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic on NBC Sports Boston, Bally Sports Florida, and NBA League Pass (all odds provided by WynnBET):
Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic odds, spread
The Celtics are 12.5-point favorites against the Magic at home. Boston’s odds are -850 to win outright, with the Orlando moneyline set at +575. The over/under for the game has been placed at 227 points.
Celtics vs. Magic prediction
This Magic squad matches up well physically with Boston, so a blowout doesn’t seem in the cards. More than likely, these two teams blow past the total since Orlando’s defense is a bottom-ranked unit and Boston’s is a work in progress.
Pick: 227o (-110)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.