NBA
Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics Odds, Tips and Prediction
The third seed Orlando Magic will host the Boston Celtics on home turf in one of Florida’s most prominent cities at the Kia Center at 7 pm East Coast time. Both teams sit inside the top three seeds in the Eastern Conference after glittering starts to their respective 2024/25 seasons, with the home side the only team in the entire league yet to lose on home ground. SportsBoom preview offers an in-depth analysis of both sides, investigates their previous head-to-head history, and provides pre-game odds and potential value bets. Compare different NBA sportsbooks to find the best odds and promotions for the Magic-Celtics game.
Jayson Tatum//Getty Images
Match Details: Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics
Date: Monday 23rd December
Start time: 7 pm local time (midnight BST)
Venue: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida (FL)
Last meeting: December 17, 2023, Boston Celtics 114-97 Chicago Bulls
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability
Boston Celtics: 3/10 (1.30) – 76,9%
Orlando Magic: 14/5 (3.80) – 26,3 %
*Forecast Odds – Betting available on 1Win closer to the event
Head-to-Head Record
This top-of-the-table seeds clash has both teams playing each other only 130 times before in the regular season. The Boston Celtics have won 75 compared with the Orlando Magic’s 55.
Over a recent five-game stretch, Massachusetts’ capital produced two convincing wins at home this time last year. Boston won 128-111 and 114-97 in the lead-up to Christmas, but these inspired runs arrived after the Magic had won the previous three.
However, this season, both teams have yet to play each other in the regular season, and a win in this game is crucial to one’s everlasting ambition of finishing top of the conference. Orlando will be gunning for glory and wanting to maintain their 100%-win record in front of the Magic faithful.
Last Five Matches
| Season | Date | Result |
| 2023/24 Season | December 17, 2023 | Boston Celtics 114-97 Orlando Magic |
| 2023/24 Season | December 15, 2023 | Boston Celtics 128-111 Orlando Magic |
| 2023/24 Season | November 24, 2023 | Orlando Magic 113-96 Boston Celtics |
| 2022/23 Season | November 28, 2023 | Orlando Magic 113-98 Boston Celtics |
| 2022/23 Season | January 9, 2023 | Orlando Magic 95-92 Boston Celtics |
How is the season so far for both teams?
Orlando Magic
- Record: 17-10
- Home Form: 10-0
- Road Form: 7-10
The Orlando Magic is the only team to remain unbeaten on their home patch after winning ten wins successively. This record has transcended their campaign, as Orlando sits in third place, 4.5 games behind their opponents and 5.5 games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Despite the encouraging form at home, the team’s away record is 7-10. The team have played several more on the road this season but always found fuel in the tank to produce the goods at home.
The Magic’s most valuable player throughout the season's early stages is Franz Wagner. The German giant has improved drastically in his points per game compared to his first three seasons with the team, and this season has posted a points per game average of 24.4 compared to 19.7 in the previous year. Wagner is the organization’s leading point scorer and assister.
22-year-old star Paolo Banchero could mark a comeback in time for this matchup after an injury that forced him to miss most of the season so far. He has only recorded five appearances, but a potential comeback in limited capacity could help the Magic in this matchup.
Boston Celtics
- Record: 20-5
- Home Form: 11-3
- Road Form: 9-2
The Celtics have three important back-to-back games before their Christmas Day clash, as they take on the Chicago Bulls home and away before travelling down to the South Coast.
Once again, Celtic’s standout player this season is Jayson Tatum. He is their lead player for steals, assists, points per game, and rebounds. His contributions on both ends of the floor are vital; however, there is a possibility he could have a possible knee injury. Therefore, the team could exercise caution ahead of a busy schedule.
Another player is the shooting guard Derrick White, who is posting the best numbers of his career for Boston after joining in the 2021/22 season. The 30-year-old is currently averaging 17.5 points a game and posting nearly five rebounds and assists. In his last game against the Detroit Pistons, he scored 23 points, and his all-round game in assists and rebounds has helped the team at vital moments throughout the season.
Value Bets
Jayson Tatum: Over 25 Points and 5 Rebounds: In the last three meetings, Tatum has averaged 26.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in the 2023/24 season. Providing the likely chance he will play, our first value bets predict that Tatum will again be the powerhouse on the roster. Tatum is one of the main reasons this team is a championship-calibre team.
Paolo Banchero: Over 25 points and 7 Rebounds: Magic’s 2022 first-overall pick Banchero has always turned up the heat against the Boston Celtics in previous meetings. Recording an average of 24.3 points over seven games and considering the likelihood of his return for the festive matches, his impact should make this game a close one. The American-Italian player looks set to return in the coming days ahead of this fixture after suffering a torn oblique in late October.
Paolo Banchero//Getty Images
Prediction: Boston Celtics to Win
The Boston Celtics are the favourites due to their recent achievements and marginally better seeding in the Eastern Conference. SportsBoom’s prediction considers the multiple weapons and options within the roster, and they will become the first team to win on Orlando soil for the first time in the 2024/25 season.
The Magic could make this a two-possession game, but this game defines the team's true capabilities. The roster has a wealth of talent, but this game shows whether the team could be a possible title-winning contender this season.
Henry Cheal is a versatile freelance sports journalist with extensive experience in the industry. Henry has previously worked at the 2024 World Snooker Championship and earned a Multimedia Sports Journalism degree from UCFB in 2023.