Boston Celtics vs Orlando Magic Picks and Predictions January 17th 2025

Celtics Look to Regain Rhythm Against Magic

The Boston Celtics are searching for answers as they prepare to host the Orlando Magic on Friday night. After a blistering start to the season, Boston has been inconsistent lately, going 7-7 in its past 14 games.

A 110-97 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday was the latest setback, as the Celtics failed to score 100 points for the third time this season—all coming in their last three losses. Boston was outscored 85-68 over the final three quarters in Toronto, raising concerns about its recent play.

“Just stick together,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said of his message to the team. “We’re not playing our best basketball … We just have to find a way to enjoy the challenge.”

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One of the few bright spots for Boston was Kristaps Porzingis, who scored 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three. Porzingis has now made at least three three-pointers in three straight games, showing signs of regaining his rhythm.

“I feel like my shot has been feeling better,” Porzingis said. “Slowly I’m starting to play better basketball from my own point of view, and I think it’s showing.”

Boston has lost three of its past five games by double digits, something that didn’t happen in its first 35 games of the season.

“Nobody’s pointing fingers,” Porzingis added. “We know we’ll get past this, but we have to start playing better. We just can’t keep cruising and expect to turn it up toward the end.”

Orlando’s Struggles From Deep Continue

The Magic aren’t playing their best basketball either. Orlando has lost three of its past four games, including a 122-93 blowout at Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Paolo Banchero scored 22 points against the Bucks but struggled with seven turnovers. It was his third game back after missing 34 contests with a torn right oblique.

“That wasn’t our standard,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “That wasn’t Orlando Magic basketball. Not even close … The great part about this group is that they always find a way to bounce back.”

One of Orlando’s biggest issues remains three-point shooting. The Magic rank dead last in the NBA (30.7%) from deep and continued their struggles by going 12-of-46 (26.1%) from beyond the arc in Milwaukee. It was the 21st time this season they shot below 30% from three.

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“It was very easy for (Milwaukee) on the offensive end,” Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. said. “And then for us, we didn’t apply any pressure. We settled for a lot of threes.”

Head-to-Head Matchup

Friday’s game will be the second meeting between the Celtics and Magic this season. Orlando stunned Boston 108-104 on Dec. 23, erasing a 15-point halftime deficit to claim victory at home.

Boston boasts a top-tier offense (117.5 PPG, 2nd in East) and a strong defense (108.7 PPG allowed, 2nd in East), while Orlando sits at the bottom of the NBA in scoring (104.5 PPG) despite having the league’s best defense in the East (103.7 PPG allowed).

With both teams looking to rediscover their winning form, this matchup could come down to whether the Celtics can break out of their slump or if the Magic’s elite defense can stifle Boston once again.