Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic Pick & Prediction APRIL 9th 2025

Stadium: Amway Center Orlando
Logo Boston Celtics
VS
Logo Orlando Magic
0
OPENER
216
8 -106
CURRENT
215o -110
+282
MONEYLINE
-331
76
SCORE
96

Preview and Prediction

The Orlando Magic have the opportunity to move one step closer to securing the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference on Wednesday as they face off against the visiting Boston Celtics.

While sixth place is out of reach for the Magic (39-40), securing the seventh position would allow them to play at home throughout the NBA's play-in tournament. Even with a loss as the No. 7 or No. 8 team in the play-in, Orlando could still extend their season by beating the winner of the tournament's No. 9/No. 10 matchup.

Orlando gained a two-game lead over Atlanta by defeating the Hawks 119-112 on Tuesday. Atlanta (37-42) currently holds the eighth place spot.

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Paolo Banchero led the way for Orlando with 33 points and 10 rebounds in Tuesday's game. The Magic also received a strong performance from Franz Wagner, who scored 22 points and has now scored at least 20 points in each of his past 11 games.

Following Tuesday's win, Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley had a simple message for his team.

"Enjoy this moment because you took care of business," he said. "But now we have to do it again tomorrow. That's what's important - taking care of home court. And then we challenge them to be even better."

After their matchup with Boston (59-20), Orlando will finish the regular season with road games against the Indiana Pacers on Friday and the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.

Regardless of how they fare in their final three games, the Celtics will be the No. 2 seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs. After facing Orlando, Boston will play home games against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday and Sunday.

The Celtics extended their road winning streak to nine games with a 119-117 overtime victory against the New York Knicks on Tuesday. Kristaps Porzingis matched his season high with 34 points in the win, improving Boston's road record to 33-7. If they defeat Orlando, the Celtics would tie the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors for the best road record in NBA history.

Following their win against the Knicks, Boston coach Joe Mazzulla downplayed the importance of a late-season victory over a potential playoff opponent.

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"I don't think it has anything to do with who we might see or might not see," he said. "There's so much we have to do before that, which is win tomorrow and the next game and the game after that. Being part of a game where you have to execute and test your attention to detail - I thought our defensive attention to detail was good. Our offensive attention could use a little more work, leaving us with possessions we know we have to improve on."

Wednesday's matchup will mark the third meeting between the Celtics and Magic this season. Orlando secured a 108-104 home victory on December 23rd, while Boston dominated with a 121-94 win at home on January 17th.

Tristan da Silva scored 18 points to help the Magic rally from a 15-point halftime deficit in their victory over the Celtics, who were without leading scorer Jayson Tatum due to illness. Tatum bounced back with 30 points in Boston's win against Orlando.

PREDICTION
Boston Celtics
99
107
Orlando Magic

Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic Recap NOV 24TH 2023

The Orlando Magic turned in a dominant second half and extended their winning streak to six games by beating the visiting Boston Celtics 113-96 on Friday in an NBA in-season tournament game.

Orlando outscored Boston 65-40 in the final two quarters and improved its record to 3-1 in East Group C. Boston's tournament record in the group stage fell to 2-1. The group champion won't be determined until Tuesday's games.

Mo Wagner came off the bench to score a game-high 27 points for Orlando, which has won its last four home games. Paolo Banchero added 23 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Magic.

Jayson Tatum led Boston with 26 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Celtics shot 24.1 percent from 3-point range (7 of 29).

Boston played without guard Jrue Holiday, who missed the game because of a right ankle sprain. Holiday is averaging 12.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 15 games this season.

In addition, Boston's Kristaps Porzingis left the game in the third quarter with left calf tightness and did not return. Porzingis had nine points and four rebounds in 22 minutes.

The Magic scored the first 10 points of the fourth quarter and stretched their lead to 87-74 on a Wagner basket with 9:21 to play. Boston failed to get closer than eight points the rest of the way.

Boston received 18 points from Jaylen Brown and 16 from Derrick White.

Franz Wagner added 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Magic.

The Celtics led 30-19 after one quarter and 56-48 at halftime. Boston extended its advantage to 62-50 with 9:41 remaining in the third, but Orlando went on a 17-0 run and took a 67-62 lead on a Banchero 3-pointer with 5:31 remaining in the third.

Orlando outscored Boston 29-18 in the quarter and led 77-74 entering the fourth.