The defending Eastern Conference Champion Boston Celtics (2-0) travel down south to visit the rebuilding Orlando Magic (0-2) in Saturday night NBA action. Tipoff from Amway Center is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Celtics vs. Magic odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Celtics come into this game looking to continue their undefeated start to the season. With stars F Jayson Tatum and G Jaylen Brown both playing like MVPs to start the season, the Celtics are looking like the favorites to win the East as of right now. The Celtics were able to keep the majority of their team together that went to the Finals last year while also adding major players like G Malcolm Brogdon, F Danilo Gallinari and F Blake Griffin.
The Magic are coming into this game looking to beat a powerhouse team in the East. The Magic are in full rebuild mode as they have been one of the worst teams in the NBA for the last few years. They have been drafting well and have many young pieces, including rookie F Paolo Banchero, who is proving why he was the No. 1 pick in the draft. He is averaging 23.5 points and 10.5 boards per game, which lead the team.
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Celtics at Magic odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:25 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Celtics -357 (bet $357 to win $100) | Magic +280 (bet $100 to win $280)
- Against the spread (ATS): Celtics -8.5 (-117) | Magic +8.5 (-103)
- Over/Under (O/U): 216.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Celtics at Magic key injuries
Celtics
- F Danilo Gallinari (knee) out
- F Al Horford (back) out
- C Robert Williams III (knee) out
Magic
- G Markelle Fultz (toe) out
- G Gary Harris (knee) out
- F Jonathan Isaac (knee) out
- G Jalen Suggs (ankle) out
- F Mo Wagner (foot) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Celtics at Magic picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 114, Magic 94
Moneyline
AVOID
The Celtics should win this one with ease, but the risk here is far too great for me to advise you to bet in either direction for this game. Avoid the moneyline here.
Against the spread
BET CELTICS -8.5 (-117)
This is your best bet for this game. The Magic are severely undermanned for this game due to all the injuries they have. They are missing key pieces in both the frontcourt and backcourt and all those pieces could help both offensively and defensively in this tough matchup. The injury to Isaac is especially painful as he would likely be the primary defender on Tatum. With Brown and Tatum both playing at an extremely high level to start the season off I expect this one to be a blowout win for the Celtics in Orlando.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 216.5 (-115)
If both teams were fully healthy I would likely tell you to bet the Over, but they aren’t. With the Celtics still being without their starting center, they are going to continue to miss both his interior defense and rebounding, which hurts them on both ends. And with Orlando missing most of its scoring potential due to injury, I expect the under to be a fairly safe bet for this game. I expect Banchero, Tatum and Brown to all shine in this game, but I do not think that will be enough to carry this game past the Over.
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