Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics: 3 Best Bets for Conference Showdown

On three full days of rest, the third-ranked Orlando Magic travels to Massachusets to take on the first-seeded Boston Celtics. Orlando beat Boston earlier in the season 113-96, but that was on their home court. With one of the toughest atmospheres, the TD Garden presents a challenge.

In addition to the struggles of playing on the road, Orlando’s defense will be heavily tested. Jayson Tatum is one of the league’s best scorers, but Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis are on the injury report after playing last night. They are joined by Al Horford and Luke Kornet. The Magic will be without Kevon Harris and Wendell Carter Jr., although Markell Fultz (questionable) could return to the lineup.

Franz Wagner has hinted at his ability to shut down Tatum tonight, but with the possibility of a depleted supporting cast, the scoring output will fall on his shoulders.

Before tipoff, check out our best bets below, powered by the lines at SI Sportsbook.

The Lines

Point spread: Celtics -4.5 (-110)/Magic +4.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Celtics (-188)/Magic (+145)

Over/under: 224.5

Our Picks

Defense pick: UNDER 224.5 total points (-110)

The Magic and Celtics are tied for the third-best defense in the league, allowing only 108.9 total points. Boston presents a challenge, holding the seventh-best offense (117.3 points per game). Orlando’s offense is not nearly as elite, scoring only 114 points per game, good for 17th in the league. However, a potentially shorthanded and definitely exhausted Boston team will struggle to hand 117 on Orlando, so expect both teams to allow defense to shine, and take the under.

Safe pick: Paolo Banchero OVER 20.5 points (-110)

Thanks to his at least 20 points in the last three games, Paolo Banchero has brought his season average to 20.7 points per game. In the last five games, he is at 26.6 points per game. In that stretch, he has partly given up on hitting shots from deep, instead opting to grind out in the paint. If Porzingis does not play, Boston won’t have the length to stop him from overcoming this ridiculously low line.

Wendell Carter Jr. Adapting to 'Trauma' with Hand Injury

Opponent pick: Jayson Tatum OVER 29.5 points (-111)

Tatum is averaging 27.3 points this season, and only 26 over his last five games. However, if Brown and Porzingis sit, Tatum will have to have a great night just to keep Boston in it. There is no doubt that Wagner and Jalen Suggs will make things tricky for him, but Tatum is a top-10 player in the NBA. If he wants or needs to score, it will be very, very hard to stop him.