ES 
NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Prediction 
Odds 
Last Recap 
Game Picks 
Top Handicapper 
Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics December 23rd 2024
At 7:00 ET, the Orlando Magic (18-12) will host the Boston Celtics (22-6) in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Celtics are favored by 9.5 points and have a moneyline of -451.
This game will be played at the Kia Center in Orlando and can be seen on NBCS. The over/under line for this game is 214.5.
Celtics vs. Magic Key Information
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic
- Where: Orlando at Kia Center
- Date: Monday, December 23rd
- Betting Odds BOS -9.5, BOS -451 | ORL +350 O/U 214.5
The Celtics Can Win If…
The Celtics improved to 22-6 this season with a dominant 123-98 win over the Bulls on Saturday. Boston, who were -12 point favorites, covered the spread with the 25-point victory. The game’s total score of 221 points fell short of the 239.5 O/U line.
Boston took control with a 10-0 run, turning a 51-47 deficit into a 57-51 lead. They outscored Chicago 33-26 in the 2nd quarter, 32-23 in the 3rd, and 30-21 in the 4th, pulling away after leading 93-77 heading into the final quarter.
Jayson Tatum’s 43-point, 15-rebound performance powered the Celtics to a 123-98 win over the Bulls, as he hit 9 threes at a 60% clip. Tatum also dished out 10 assists, and scored 18 points in the 3rd quarter alone.
As a team, Boston shot 48% from the field, making 15 threes at 33.3%. Kristaps Porzingis added 22 points, while Jaylen Brown chipped in 19.
The Blog at Scores and Stats Is Where Sports Fans Go For Expert Advice.
The Celtics put on a defensive clinic against the Bulls, holding them to just 98 points on 37% shooting. Boston’s defense tightened as the game went on, allowing 28 points in the 1st quarter, 26 in the 2nd, 23 in the 3rd, and just 21 in the 4th.
From beyond the arc, the Celtics limited the Bulls to 14 threes on 34% shooting. Boston also sent Chicago to the line just 11 times, where they made 10 free throws. The Celtics grabbed 42 defensive rebounds, gave up 10 offensive boards, and added 8 steals and 4 blocks.
- Through their last three road contests, the Celtics offense has averaged 115 points per game while allowing an average of 103. Boston posted an overall record of 2-1 while going 1-2 ATS.
- Across their last three matchups as the betting favorite, the Celtics have an overall record of 2-1 while going 1-2 against the spread.
- Over their last three games, the Celtics have an over/under record of 0-3 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.
The Magic Can Win If…
The Magic improved to 18-12 on the season with a 121-114 win over the Heat on Saturday. Orlando, favored by two points, covered the spread, and the game’s total of 235 points exceeded the 205-point O/U line.
Orlando’s comeback was remarkable, as they entered the 4th quarter down 106-84 after a 14-0 run by Miami earlier in the game. The Magic held the Heat to just 8 points in the final period while scoring 37 to complete the comeback.
Cole Anthony’s 35 points and 9 assists led the Magic to a 121-114 win over the Heat, as he shot 52% from the field and added 14 points in the 3rd quarter and 13 more in the 4th. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope contributed 24 points, with 10 coming in the opening period.
Goga Bitadze was perfect from the field, scoring 18 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. The Magic shot 49.4% as a team, but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 29.7% of their threes, making 11 in total.
Stay Ahead Of The Game
And Bet Smarter.
Even after giving up 76 points in the first half, the Magic’s defense came through when it mattered, holding the Heat to just 8 points in the 4th quarter to secure the win. Orlando allowed Miami to shoot 48% from the field, but they did well defending the three, limiting the Heat to 9 made threes on 28% shooting.
The Magic sent the Heat to the line 42 times, where they made 33 free throws. On the boards, Orlando recorded 31 defensive rebounds while allowing 7 offensive rebounds. They also added 5 steals and 9 blocks.
- Across their five previous home games, Orlando has an ATS mark of 2-3. Their straight up record in these matchups was 2-3 while averaging 103 points per game.
- Through their last five games as the betting underdog, the Magic have a strong record vs the spread going 3-2. Their straight up mark in these contests is 1-4.
- In their last five games, the Magic have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 4-1 vs. the spread.
The Lean
We’re putting our money on the Celtics to win, and have the projected score sitting at 142-76. We also like them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to bet on the Celtics at -9.5.
As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 214.5 and our model has the Celtics and Magic finishing with a combined 218 points. Our pick is to take the over.
Injury-Plagued Magic Brace for Jayson Tatum and Celtics
The Orlando Magic, reeling from a growing list of injuries, face a formidable challenge when they host the Boston Celtics on Monday night. With key players sidelined and the team rallying to overcome adversity, Orlando will look to replicate the resilience that fueled their dramatic comeback win over the Miami Heat on Saturday.
Magic Reeling from Injuries
Orlando’s injury woes deepened with backup center Mo Wagner suffering a torn ACL during Saturday’s victory. Wagner, averaging 12.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, joins his younger brother Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero on the sidelines. Both Franz and Banchero, the team’s leading scorers, are recovering from right oblique tears.
“It’s really bad to see one of our brothers go down,” center Goga Bitadze said of Mo Wagner. “This one was for Mo. Like we’ve been saying, ‘Next man up.’ But this guy deserved better than this.”
The Magic were also without guard Jalen Suggs (ankle) on Saturday. Despite these setbacks, Orlando mounted a historic fourth-quarter rally against Miami, outscoring the Heat 37-8 in the final 12 minutes to erase a 22-point deficit and secure a 121-114 win.
“You can’t really explain that,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “That’s something I haven’t seen. … It’s a group that just continues to fight.”
Tatum in MVP Form
The Celtics, on the other hand, come to Orlando led by MVP candidate Jayson Tatum, who delivered a historic performance in Boston’s 123-98 win over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. Tatum notched 43 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, becoming the first player in Celtics history to post at least 40 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game.
“It was a big-time performance by him,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “I still think he gets taken for granted because he’s done it for a long time, and because it comes relatively easy to him.”
Tatum is averaging 28.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists this season while shooting 46.3 percent from the field. His ability to dominate and amplify his teammates has been a key to Boston’s success.
Today’s NBA Free Picks Are In! Check out the free NBA basketball picks for all matchups.
“It’s just about finding your moments to dominate the game,” Tatum said. “Joe always just tries to get me to dominate and amplify my teammates and make guys better in different ways.”
Outlook
The Celtics enter the game with momentum and a healthy roster, while the Magic will rely on their depth and grit to compete. Orlando’s stunning resilience against Miami showed their capability to fight despite significant adversity, but they face an uphill battle against a Celtics team led by an in-form Tatum.
Boston’s ability to exploit Orlando’s depleted lineup and maintain their offensive rhythm could prove decisive, while the Magic must summon another inspired effort to keep the game competitive.
