The Orlando Magic (1-2) will travel to TD Garden to meet the Boston Celtics (2-1). The Celtics opened as 12-point favorites. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 212 points and it will air on NBATV at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, October 22, 2018.
Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics ATS Odds
Although the Magic were beaten by the Philadelphia 76ers in their last game, 116-115, they did cover as 12.5-point underdogs. The Magic, meanwhile, topped the New York Knicks,103-101, but were not able to cover as 9.5-point favorites. The Orlando game finished 13.5 points over the projected point total of 217.5, while the Boston game finished 6.5 points under the projected point total of 210.5.
Boston dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a phenomenal free throw rate of 0.341 and a turnover percentage of 13.5. New York put up marks of 0.195 and 13.9, respectively, for those same stats. Orlando, meanwhile, did a great job of making free throws (17-22; 77.3 percent). Boston received a boost from Jayson Tatum, who had 24 points and 14 rebounds. Meanwhile, Nikola Vucevic played an enormous role in the victory for Orlando, collecting 27 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists on his way to his zeroth triple-double of the year.
Boston could have their way on defense as they face off against one of the worst offenses in the NBA. The Celtics rank second in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.498), while Orlando is 22nd in effective field goal percentage (0.510) since the 2017-18 season. ,
Since last season, the Magic have had records of 26-59 straight up (SU) and 35-49-1 against the spread (ATS). Games involving Orlando have had a slight tendency to finish under the projected point total since last season (51.8 percent).
The Celtics, meanwhile, are 57-28 SU and 52-49-2 ATS since last season. Just over half of Boston’s games have finished under the O/U total over that same period.
The Celtics edged out the Magic in this series last year, winning three out of four games. In the last matchup, Boston won 92-83. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Boston’s biggest advantages. They made 28 trips to the line, while Orlando went just 11 times.
Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
- Boston ranks third in assists allowed per game (21.3) while Orlando ranks 23rd (24.5).
- The Magic rank 12th in fast break points per game (12.5) while the Celtics rank 27th (9.6).
- Boston ranks third in second chance points allowed per game (11.0) while Orlando ranks 17th (12.8).
- Orlando ranks 21st in points off turnovers per game (15.6) while Boston ranks 25th (15.1).
- The Celtics rank 10th in rebounds per game (44.1) while the Magic rank 29th in rebounds allowed per game (46.0).
- The Celtics rank third in steals allowed per game (7.0) while the Magic rank 16th (7.7).
- Orlando ranks 11th in points in the paint per game (45.6) while Boston ranks 29th (40.0).
- In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Orlando is 12-9 and Boston is 43-7.
- In games where they score over 100 points, the Celtics are 53-16 and the Magic are 25-32.
