Free NBA Pick: Magic vs. Celtics NBA Odds
Looking for Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Magic taking on the Celtics on Sunday, January 2nd, 2022 at TD Garden. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Magic Celtics matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(7-29) Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics (17-19)
Date: Sunday, January 2nd
Time: 6:00 PM EST
Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
NBA Moneyline Odds: Magic +475 | Celtics -472 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Celtics -10.5
NBA Betting Total: 212.5
Sunday, January 2nd, 2022, the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics play for the second time this season. Boston won 92-79 on November 3rd. The teams will play once more in Orlando on February 6th.
Orlando last played on Thursday in a 118-136 loss to the Bucks while the Celtics shocked the Suns winning 123-108.
Orlando Magic
The Magic were arguably dealt the worst hand in the association in terms of injuries combined with players missing time in protocols.
If there is a glass half full to focus on it’s the play of rookie Franz Wagner who is proving to be everything (and more) that they hoped for when they picked him up with the eighth pick.
Wagner has reached double-digit scoring in 18 consecutive games and is frequently the top Magic scorer. In the home and home series versus the Bucks, he scored 38 and 20 points, shot over 50 percent from the perimeter, and filled up the box score.
He won’t be tasked with that role when Jonathan Isaac returns and the Magic get healthier but he certainly showcases a solid all-around player with a full skillset who fits perfectly as your secondary or third star.
Terrence Ross is probable to return while Robin Lopez, Mo Bamba, Chuma Okeke, and Mychal Mulder are all listed as questionable to return to action.
As for the six injured players, none are expected to play Sunday including Cole Anthony (ankle), Jalen Suggs (thumb), E’Twaun Moore (knee), Michael Carter Williams (ankle), Markelle Fultz (knee), or Jonathan Isaac (knee).
Boston Celtics
Although the win against the Suns would normally fall in the statement category it’s hard to assign that importance to it given all four Suns centers were missing plus Jae Crowder.
After the game, Jaylen Brown was boasting about how well the ball moved (they had 28 assists) and the need for the team to keep using their bigs to pass the ball after Robert Williams who dished 10 assists.
Perhaps this comment was in response to the earlier Marcus Smart criticism of the need for Brown and Jayson Tatum to move the ball more and not to be a pill but Brown only had three assists versus Phoenix.
The other major takeaway is whether Williams and Al Horford (seven assists) would be as effective playmakers if Deandre Ayton, Jae Crowder, and JaVale McGee had been active?
Five Celtics are in protocols with Dennis Schroder and Aaron Nesmith probable, Tatum and Bruno Fernando questionable and Enes Kanter Freedom downgraded to out on Sunday. Robert Williams (toe) is questionable.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Magic are 4-8 ATS in their last 12 games.
- The Celtics are 4-8 SU in their last 12 games.
- The Magic are 3-17 SU in their last 20 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston’s last 6 games.
Free Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics NBA Prediction:
Theoretically, this should be an easy win for the Celtics based on who is out for Orlando. That said, the seven wins the Magic have are comprised mostly of teams who should beat them (Jazz, Nets, Hawks, Nuggets for example).
In addition, the Celtics have a tendency to start celebrating and rubbing in losses when they take an early lead which is the type of tonic that will spark a prideful Magic team to fight back.
All this to say, I still think Boston wins but the Magic keep it closer than 10.5 points.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Magic +10.5
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