Magic vs. Celtics Prediction, Game 1 Expert Picks & NBA Odds: Today's Best Bets for NBA Playoffs
The No. 7 seed Orlando Magic (41-41) have made the playoffs for a second straight year, even though this trip came via the play-in tournament - unfortunately, the reward might not be so hot. Olando's next hurdle is a best-of-7 series with the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics (61-21). Tipoff for Game 1 at Boston's TD Garden is 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC).
The market doesn't think that hurdle will be an easy one. The Celtics are 14-point betting favorites with the total available at 205.5 at our best sports betting sites. As part of our NBA picks, my Magic vs. Celtics prediction don't think the Celtics will be able to cover that number.
📺 Game info & where to watch Magic vs. Celtics live today
📅 Date: Sunday, April 20
🕗 Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
📍 Location: TD Garden (Boston)
📺 TV: ABC
💻 Streaming: ESPN+
💰Early betting insights for Magic vs. Celtics Game 1
Heading into the weekend we got some betting insights from BetMGM.
The spread has tightened up at bit there, opening up at 14.5 but moving a point in Orlando's favor to 13.5 points. The tickets (79%) and handle (89%) have come in heavily on the vistors.
The total hasn't shifted from 205.5, but we're seeing one-sided action there as well. The Over is getting the bulk of tickets written (82%) and the bulk of the money (80%).
💡 Magic vs. Celtics prediction & expert picks: NBA playoffs - Sunday, April 20
🎯 Score prediction: Celtics 105, Magic 101
✅ Best bet: Magic +14 (-110 via DraftKings)
📰 Magic vs. Celtics NBA preview & matchup analysis
The Boston Celtics won it all last year, and they’ll look to run it back this season. The problem is that they’re not the same team. Last year, the Celtics posted an NBA-leading net rating of +11.7. This year, they posted a +9.4. Last year, the Celtics got red hot after the All-Star break and posted a net rating of +14.6. This year, they improved it marginally to +9.9.
Both the roster and the playoff rotation should look a lot like they did last season, so why has Boston fallen off? Let’s look under the hood. Last year, in the regular season, Boston used spot-up plays at a below-average rate (23.3%) but led the NBA in points per possession on the play (1.17). In the playoffs, they used the play at a higher clip (24.9%) and still generated 1.09 points per play. This regular season, Boston leaned more heavily on spot-ups (24.2%) and again led the NBA in points per play (1.15)–just slightly less efficient than last year.
Boston’s less efficient play on spot-ups correlates to a dip in 3-point percentage. Last regular season, Boston shot 38.8% from beyond the arc in the regular season, then shot 36% in the postseason. This year, Boston shot just 36.8% from beyond the arc. If the Celtics again regress in both of these categories once the postseason starts, they probably won’t dominate their opponents. While Boston generated plenty of highlights on its way to the overall 3-point record, efficiency matters a lot more in slower-paced playoff games:
But the postseason is all about matchups, and we haven’t even discussed the Orlando Magic. The Magic led the NBA in 3-pointers allowed per game (11.4) and maintained their lead position since the All-Star break (12). This corresponds to Orlando allowing an NBA-low number of 3-point attempts as well as the lowest frequency of spot-up plays (19.1%). Orlando’s strong perimeter defense helped the club go 2-1 against Boston this season, although one of those games came after the Celtics had locked up the No. 2 seed.
👉 Check out our guide on how to bet on the NBA.
💰 Magic vs. Celtics picks & best bets
✅ Against the spread pick: Magic +14 (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ Moneyline pick: Magic ML (+700 via ESPN BET) ⭐⭐
✅ Over/Under pick: Under 206 (-112 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐
⛹️ Best Magoc vs. Celtics Game 1 predictions
🔎 Our NEW NBA player prop odds tool can help you find the best NBA odds across legal sportsbooks in your area!
🔥 Magic +14 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Although the data suggests this Celtics team is less efficient than last year’s, the books don’t expect a close game. Sure, Orlando’s offense has seriously struggled with efficiency - the Magic are a dreadful 21st in offensive efficiency since the All-Star break (112.7) - but 3-point shooting variance could sink Boston. The Orlando defense’s success at limiting looks like the ones that Boston loves to take makes this all the more important.
The Celtics should probably not be getting a whopping 14 points in this spot. Both sides of this matchup are playing at a bottom-two pace since the break, so there won’t be many extra possessions for the Celtics to build a big lead. The Celtics are just 38-43-1 against the spread this year and 18-23 against the spread as a home favorite.
Best odds: -110 via DraftKings
🔥 Magic ML ⭐⭐
Look, the Orlando Magic probably won’t win this game, but the Boston Celtics are known for losing playoff games largely as a function of 3-point shooting variance. Last year, the Celtics dropped a pair of home Game 2s, one against the Miami Heat and another against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The year before, they dropped six home games against the Hawks, 76ers, and Heat. Orlando’s odds are just a bit too long at +700.
Best odds: +700 via ESPN BET
🔥 Under 206 ⭐⭐
The books are giving Boston an implied total of 110, a number they reached in just one of their games against Orlando. The combination of a slow pace and Orlando’s excellent perimeter defense makes the under a buy for me. While I’m more sympathetic to backing Boston’s team total Under 110.5 for -115 at DraftKings, the 206 has some value, too.
Best odds: -112 via FanDuel
🚀 Best Magic vs. Celtics parlay picks & SGP odds
🧪 Want to make your own SGP? Check out our NEW parlay calculator to get the best odds for any same-game parlay.
🔢 Best Magic vs. Celtics odds & betting lines
🛒 Shop around for the best Magic vs. Celtics odds from our best sports betting apps.
📡 Magic vs. Celtics live odds
🛜 Game already started? You can still get in on the action with our best live betting sites.
🪧 Magic vs. Celtics opening odds
Opening odds via BetMGM.
- Spread: Magic +13.5 (-110) | Celtics -13.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Magic +650 | Celtics -1000
- Over/Under: Over 206 (-110) | Under 206 (-110)
📊 Magic vs. Celtics stats: Records, trends & best odds today
🚑 Magic vs. Celtics injury report
📋 For the latest injury news, check today's official NBA injury report.
🗳️ Who will win Magic vs. Celtics?
🏀 Best NBA Playoffs predictions & expert picks today
- Magic vs. Celtics Game 1 prediction
- Magic vs. Celtics Game 1 player props
- Magic vs. Celtics Game 1 parlay
- Heat vs. Cavaliers Game 1 prediction
- Heat vs. Cavaliers Game 1 player props
- Heat vs. Cavaliers Game 1 parlay
- Warriors vs. Rockets Game 1 prediction
- Warriors vs. Rockets Game 1 player props
- Warriors vs. Rockets Game 1 parlay
🏀 Best NBA betting sites
Looking to bet on the NBA today? Here are the best NBA betting sites as determined by our expert team at Sportsbook Review, along with the best sportsbook promos available for today's NBA games.
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.
Related Articles
