Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic prediction, odds, TV channel for December 18
With the season series knotted at 1-1, the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic take to the T.D. Garden floor on Sunday, December 18 for the second game of a back-to-back set that started Friday with a shocking outcome.
Orlando, coming in as double-digit favorites, stormed into Boston and essentially dominated from buzzer to buzzer to take a 117-109 result — one that was a point shy of the over total and during the return of Robert Williams III to the lineup.
Perhaps the most painful things to take place for the Cs during the near-full strength effort — Danilo Gallinari is still sidelined as he nurses a torn ACL — was Moritz Wagner scoring 25 points and grabbing eight rebounds as the starting pivot for the Magic, and Bol Bol showing legitimate star potential after Boston dumped him (and P.J. Dozier) on Orlando last season after neither saw the floor once. Wagner was acquired as part of the Daniel Theis trade back in March 2021 with the Chicago Bulls, and was released within a month after joining the Cs, while unicorn big Bol was dealt for a second round draft pick.
Sunday is a major inflection point for the Cs. Losing to the Magic a second straight time will signal panic, but a victory can give Friday the excuse that Boston was merely getting its pieces together. Which east squad will get a much-needed victory for momentum’s sake? 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 10-point favorites against the Magic at home. Boston’s odds are -530 to win outright, with the Orlando moneyline set at +385. The over/under for the game has been placed at 223 points.
Celtics vs. Magic prediction
The Houdini was not necessarily shocked Boston didn’t cover last game, but the overall result was undoubtedly a surprise. That the over missed by a point stings, though.
That won’t happen again, no matter what else happens on Sunday afternoon.
Pick: 223o (-110)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.