The Boston Celtics (61-21) are heavily favored to beat the Orlando Magic (41-41) in Game 1 of their first-round NBA playoff series on Sunday, April 20. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden in Boston.
Boston is a 13.5-point favorite over the Magic on the spread, while the over/under is set at 205.5 total points. The Celtics are also -1000 favorites to win outright, making them the heavy underdogs against Orlando’s +650 odds.
Despite being 6-4 SU and 7-3 ATS against Boston since 2021-22, the Magic have struggled from beyond the arc, ranking as the worst 3-point shooting team by percentage in the league. The Celtics’ offense is expected to be stifled by the Magic’s defense, which has held them to their lowest average made 3-point rate.
However, with Jaylen Brown dealing with a knee injury, this pick becomes riskier. Despite this, Brown’s upside could lead to a high-scoring game if he’s healthy enough to play.
Overall, the Celtics’ heavy favoritism makes it difficult to back Orlando. Instead, focusing on the under and keeping an eye on Brown’s health are viable options for those looking to make a pick.
The author recommends taking Magic +13.5 (-110), Under 205.5, and Jaylen Brown Over 19.5 Points as best bets. A parlay option is also available, with Boston winning, the Magic keeping it within single digits, and a game that’s expected to be a slog.
Source: https://www.actionnetwork.com/nba/magic-vs-celtics-prediction-odds-pick-for-nba-playoffs-game-1-on-sunday-april-20-qs