Boston Celtics vs Orlando Magic Picks and Predictions April 20th 2025

Boston Celtics vs Orlando Magic April 20th 2025

At 3:30 ET, the Celtics (-935) will host the Magic (+624) in a game that will be televised on ABC. The Celtics are currently favored by 13.5 points and the over/under line is set at 205.5.

Boston is currently on a two-game winning streak and has a record of 61-21, which is good for second in the Eastern Conference. As for the Magic, they are 41-41 and seventh in the East.

Magic vs. Celtics Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics
• Where: Boston at TD Garden
• Date: Sunday, April 20th
• Betting Odds BOS -13.5, ORL +624 | BOS -935 O/U 205.5

The Magic Can Win If…

Orlando closed out the season with a dominant 120-95 win over the Hawks on Tuesday, bringing their record to 41-41. Playing at home, the Magic were favored by six points and covered the spread, while the total score of 215 points fell short of the 220.5 O/U line.

Orlando took control early with an 11-0 run, breaking a 15-15 tie. The Hawks fought back, winning the 2nd and 3rd quarters, but the Magic responded by outscoring Atlanta 41-22 in the 4th quarter to seal the win.

In their win over the Hawks, the Magic shot 48.4% from the field, with Cole Anthony leading the way, scoring 26 points and hitting 4 threes at a 44.4% clip. Wendell Carter Jr. added 19 points on 66.7% shooting, while Paolo Banchero contributed 17 points despite shooting just 30.8%.

Orlando made 11 threes as a team, shooting 28.2% from beyond the arc. Anthony scored 13 points in the 4th quarter, while Carter and Anthony Black each added 7 points in the final period.

The Magic put together a strong defensive performance against the Hawks, holding them to just 95 points on Tuesday. They were especially effective in the 1st quarter, giving up only 17 points, and closed the game strong with a 22-point 4th quarter. Overall, Orlando limited Atlanta to 38% shooting from the field.

Orlando’s defense was particularly impressive from beyond the arc, where they held the Hawks to just 4 made threes on 19% shooting. The Magic also controlled the boards, allowing 9 offensive rebounds, and contributed 6 steals and 9 blocks.

• Across their ten previous road games, Orlando has an ATS mark of 7-3. Their straight up record in these matchups was 7-3 while averaging 110 points per game.
• In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Magic have a straight up record of 4-6 and an ATS mark of 5-5.
• Over their last three games, the Magic have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Celtics Can Win If…

With a 93-86 win over the Hornets on Sunday, the Celtics improved to 61-21 for the season. Boston was favored by 10.5 points but didn’t cover the spread, and the game’s total of 179 points fell well short of the 209-point O/U line.

Boston’s 16-0 run early on extended their lead from 10-5 to 26-5. However, the Hornets fought back, outscoring the Celtics in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Boston entered the 4th quarter with a narrow 69-68 lead but pulled away by winning the final quarter 24-18.

The Celtics managed just 93 points in their win over the Hornets, shooting 38.9% from the field and 31.1% from three-point range, despite hitting 14 threes. Payton Pritchard led the way with 34 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds, shooting 56% from the field and making 4 threes at 33.3% efficiency.

Sam Hauser added 15 points, hitting 4 threes at 57.1%, while Luke Kornet contributed 11 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 55.6%. Pritchard scored 12 points in the 4th quarter, while Hauser added 12 of his points in the 1st quarter.

Defensively, the Celtics were strong in their win over the Hornets, holding them to just 86 points. They started the game well, allowing only 15 points in the 1st quarter and finished strong, giving up just 18 points in the 4th. Overall, they held the Hornets to 37% shooting from the field.

Boston also did a great job defending the three-point line, with the Hornets making just 11 threes on 28% shooting. The Celtics sent the Hornets to the free-throw line 18 times, where they made 11. Boston finished the game with 12 steals and 6 blocks.

• Through their last five home contests, the Celtics offense has averaged 113 points per game while allowing an average of 105. Boston posted an overall record of 4-1 while going 2-3 ATS.
• In their last three games as the betting favorite, the Celtics have a straight up record of 3-0, while going 1-2 against the spread.
• In their last three games, the Celtics have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Celtics to secure the win, with an expected final score of 140-120. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -13.5.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 205.5, and our model predicts the Magic and Celtics to score a combined 260 points. We recommend betting on the over.

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Celtics vs Magic: Lockdown Defenses Set to Clash in Game 1

The Boston Celtics are kicking off their playoff run—and their quest to go back-to-back as NBA champions—against the upstart Orlando Magic. This first-round battle in the Eastern Conference features the top two defensive teams in the league, setting the stage for a grind-it-out, low-scoring war.

Boston enters the series as the No. 2 seed, looking to become the first team to repeat as NBA champs since the Warriors in 2018. After steamrolling through the regular season with a 61-21 record and an arsenal of long-range weapons, the Celtics are locked and loaded.

The Magic? They clawed their way in as the No. 7 seed, thanks to a commanding 120-95 win over Atlanta in the NBA Play-In Tournament. Now, they’re embracing the underdog role.

Want the full playoff outlook? Tap into the NBA Picks Page for analysis and predictions.

Orlando’s Underrated Edge

Orlando may not have the flashiest offense, but what they lack in scoring, they make up for with elite defense and grit. They led the league in fewest points allowed (105.5 per game) and excelled at shutting down the 3-point line—just ask any coach who game-planned against them.

Led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, both of whom returned strong after injury-plagued stretches, the Magic bring length, hustle, and just enough firepower to hang with anyone. Banchero put up 25.9 points per game in limited action, while Wagner chipped in 24.2 PPG.

Coach Jamahl Mosley knows what lies ahead:

“We know how loud it’s going to be. Those Boston fans are passionate. But we’re ready for it.”

Building Momentum

The Magic are heating up at the right time. After spending much of the season near the bottom in 3-point shooting, they closed their final 16 games hitting 36.7% from deep—up from a league-worst 31.8%.

Orlando’s playoff credentials aren’t hype—they’ve earned it. Keep tabs on them with updates from the NBA Southeast Division Preview.

Boston’s Blueprint for Back-to-Back Titles

The Celtics are on a mission to repeat—and they’re doing it with historic shooting. Boston broke the NBA record with 1,457 made 3-pointers this season, averaging nearly 18 makes per game on over 48 attempts.

With snipers like Derrick White (265 made), Payton Pritchard (255), and Jayson Tatum (250) raining from deep, it’s no surprise they’ve become the league’s long-range kings.

But there’s a twist—Boston is 7-14 when they’re outshot from deep. That stat alone could give Orlando a roadmap to pulling off an upset.

Learn more about Boston’s championship journey in the NBA Championship Odds Preview.

Home-Court Advantage Matters

Game 1 and 2 are in Boston, where the Celtics have been rock solid. They dominated the Magic in their only home meeting this season, winning 121-94. Expect TD Garden to be electric, especially with revenge on the mind after losing the season series 2-1.

Orlando’s two wins came with Boston either resting starters or missing Tatum due to illness. Sunday? Everyone’s suiting up.

Get a full breakdown of postseason dynamics in our NBA Expert Betting Guide.

Key Storylines to Watch

Boston thrives on volume shooting. Orlando limits opponent attempts. It’s that simple. If the Magic can stay disciplined on the perimeter and contest shots, they’ll make this series a lot more interesting than expected.

Looking for odds on game totals and props? Dive into the NBA Odds Page.

Star Power vs System

Tatum is Boston’s go-to scorer, dropping 26.8 points a night. But Orlando’s balanced attack and depth keep them unpredictable. Can Banchero go head-to-head with an MVP candidate? Or will Boston’s star depth overwhelm the Magic?

Need MVP race updates? Don’t miss our NBA MVP Odds Breakdown.

FAQs

When is Game 1 between the Celtics and Magic?
Game 1 tips off Sunday in Boston as the Eastern Conference playoffs begin.

Who leads the Celtics in scoring?
Jayson Tatum, averaging 26.8 points per game, is Boston’s offensive engine.

How did the Magic qualify for the playoffs?
They earned the No. 7 seed by beating Atlanta 120-95 in the Play-In Tournament.

What’s Orlando’s season record?
The Magic finished the season 41-41.

What’s Boston’s record at home?
The Celtics were dominant at home and beat the Magic by 27 points in their last meeting there.

Where can I find betting lines for this matchup?
Check out the latest on our NBA Picks Page.