A pair of red hot teams meet in a 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament Group C matchup when the Boston Celtics face the Orlando Magic on Friday. The Celtics (12-3, 2-0 Tournament), winners of seven of their past eight games, are 6-3 on the road in 2023-24. The Magic (10-5, 2-1 Tournament) are on a five-game winning streak, and are 5-2 on their home court. Orlando has won three games in a row against Boston, although this is the first meeting between the two this season. Jrue Holiday (ankle) is doubtful for Boston, while Markelle Fultz (knee) and Wendell Carter Jr. (hand) are out for Orlando.
The game from the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., will tip off at 2:30 p.m. ET. Boston is averaging 117.3 points per game, while Orlando averages 111.5. Boston is a 5.5-point favorite in the latest Celtics vs. Magic odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 222.5. Before making any Magic vs. Celtics picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions from SportsLine's proven model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five seasons. The model enters Week 5 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a 82-46 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning more than $3,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
The model has set its sights on Celtics vs. Magic and locked in its NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Magic vs. Celtics:
- Celtics vs. Magic spread: Celtics -5.5
- Celtics vs. Magic over/under: 222.5 points
- Celtics vs. Magic money line: Celtics -215, Magic +174
- BOS: The Celtics have hit the third quarter game total over in 82 of their last 100 games (+62.25 units)
- ORL: The Magic are 12-3 ATS this season
- Celtics vs. Magic picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Celtics can cover
Center Kristaps Porzingis has been dominant at times this season, posting eight games of 20 or more points, including a season-high 30 in a win at New York on Oct. 25. He scored 21 points and grabbed six rebounds in a win over Milwaukee on Wednesday. He posted his first double-double of the season in a 108-105 win at Toronto on Nov. 17. In that game, he scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. For the season, he is averaging 19.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 blocks.
Guard Derrick White fills up the box score on a nightly basis, averaging 13.6 points, 4.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game. A 2022-23 All-Defensive selection, White ranks second amongst guards in blocks per game, only trailing teammate Holiday (1.0). White scored 27 points against Orlando in a game last year, which was his second-highest output of the season. See which team to pick here.
Why the Magic can cover
Power forward Paolo Banchero has registered three consecutive 20-plus point games, including a 23-point, four-assist, three-block and three-rebound performance in Wednesday's win over the Nuggets. In 15 games, all starts, Banchero is averaging 19.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He is connecting on 47.7% of his field goals, including 45.5% from 3-point range. He has posted two double-doubles, including a 26-point and 12-rebound effort in a 112-97 win over Milwaukee on Nov. 11.
Third-year veteran and small forward Franz Wagner has continued his strong play. In the win over Denver, he poured in a season-high 27 points, while dishing out four assists, grabbing three rebounds and blocking two shots. He has scored 20 or more points in seven games, including four in the past seven. In 15 games, all starts, Wagner is averaging 19 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals in 32.6 minutes. See which team to pick here.
How to make Magic vs. Celtics picks
The model has simulated Celtics vs. Magic 10,000 times and is leaning Under the total, projecting 221 combined points. It also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only see the picks at SportsLine.
Who wins Celtics vs. Magic, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see the picks, all from the model that is on a 82-46 roll on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
