The Boston Celtics (48-32), 5-point favorites, welcome the Orlando Magic (40-40) to TD Garden to commence their Eastern Conference schedules. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 216 points and action gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 7, 2019.
Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics ATS Odds
Both teams comfortably covered as favorites in their last matchup. The Celtics (1.5-point favorites) defeated the Indiana Pacers 117-97, while the Magic (9-point favorites) beat the Atlanta Hawks 149-113. The Boston game hit the projected point total of 214, while the Orlando game finished 36.5 points over the projected point total of 225.5.
The Magic had a ridiculous effective field goal percentage of 0.707 (above their season average of 0.514) and held the Hawks to an offensive rebounding percentage of 18.2 (below their season average of 24.7). Meanwhile, Boston’s free throw rate was their biggest strength over Indiana. The Celtics had a rate of 0.152 (matching their season average), while the Pacers posted a mark of 0.120 (below their season average of 0.182). Jayson Tatum was a key piece for Boston with 22 points and seven rebounds. Meanwhile, Orlando was led by Nikola Vucevic, who had 25 points and 11 rebounds.
In their two contests this season, the Magic have won both. In their most recent game, the two teams combined for 208 points, which was under the projected point total of 213.5. Orlando won 105-103, covering as a 7-point underdog. Making free throws was one of Orlando’s biggest strengths. They were 22-24 (91.7 percent), while the Celtics were just 19-28 (67.9 percent). Despite the loss, Kyrie Irving had a standout performance in the game, producing 25 points, six assists and five rebounds.
Of the Magic’s 80 games, 44 have finished under the projected point total. Orlando heads into the contest with records of 40-40 straight up (SU) and 42-35-3 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike Orlando, games featuring the Celtics have a tendency to go over the total (55.0 percent). Additionally, Boston owns records of 48-32 SU and 37-41-2 ATS.
Second-chance opportunities might be scarce for Boston in this contest. The Celtics rank 24th in offensive rebounding percentage (21.7 percent), while Orlando ranks third in defensive rebounding percentage (79.6 percent).
Magic at Celtics Free Pick
NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Magic, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Celtics rank 23rd in points in the paint per game (44.9) while the Magic rank 27th (43.7).
- Boston ranks fourth in steals per game (8.6) while Orlando ranks 26th (6.6).
- The Magic rank first in second chance points allowed per game (11.1) while the Celtics rank 17th (13.5).
- Orlando averages 32.1 three pointers per game, which ranks 15th in the league. Boston ranks 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (33.5).
- Orlando ranks second in assists allowed per game (23.0) while Boston ranks seventh (23.5).
- The Celtics rank fifth in points off turnovers per game (18.1) while the Magic rank 25th (15.2).
- The Magic rank 15th in rebounds per game (45.5) while the Celtics rank 20th in rebounds allowed per game (45.8).
- Boston is second in the NBA with 3.8 blocks allowed per game while Orlando is fifth with 4.4 blocks allowed per game.
- Boston ranks seventh in fast break points per game (16.3) while Orlando ranks 25th (10.8).
- In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Boston is 16-4 and Orlando is 19-3.
- When scoring more than 100 points, the Celtics are 48-23 and the Magic are 36-19.
- Orlando is 21-18-2 ATS on the road, while Boston is 20-20 ATS at home.
- Of the Magic’s 41 road games, they have 25 unders and 16 overs.
- In 40 home games, the Celtics have 24 overs and 16 unders.
Bettings Trends:
- The Magic are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Celtics are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Orlando has 5 overs, while Boston has 2 overs, 2 pushes and 1 under.
- The Magic’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.2, up from 0.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 109.8 points per game (2.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 105.2 points per game (2.6 below their season average).
