Alex Hunter breaks down his preview, prediction and pick for Sunday’s NBA matchup between the Celtics and the Magic.
The Celtics are hosting the Magic on Sunday to conclude the regular season. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Orlando is favored by 13.5 points and this game carries a total of 222.5 points.
Let’s dive into my preview and pick for this matchup.
The Celtics are locked into the No.2 seed and have nothing at stake tonight, so Jayson Tatum (Achilles), Jaylen Brown (Achilles), Derrick White (knee), Neemias Queta (toe), Payton Pritchard (back), Nikola Vucevic (finger), Sam Hauser (back) and Hugo Gonzalez (foot) all have been ruled out.
The Celtics should run out a starting lineup of Ron Harper Jr., Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, Luka Garza and Max Shulga. While none of these players are big names, Scheierman, Walsh and Garza all are underrated players that have had great moments for Boston this season.
With these three on the floor together, the Celtics own a terrific 17.0 net rating. While this number is skewed, as they are usually playing alongside great players like Brown, Tatum or White, this high rating for this trio is still impressive and this well-coached Boston team putting up a fight tonight on it’s home floor is possible.
Unlike the Celtics, the Magic are still playing for something tonight. Orlando is No.7 seed in the Eastern Conference and a win ensures the club finishes at least that high in the standings. A win combined with a loss for the Raptors and the Magic are the No.6 seed, but a loss for the Magic combined with a win for the 76ers and Orlando drops to the No.8 seed.
All in all, the Magic will be going all out for a win tonight and they have won six straight, four of which by double digits. Franz Wagner (ankle) being healthy again has been a big part of this and since the All-Star break, Orlando ranks 14th in net rating.
The Magic have had issues on the road, however, with just a 19-19 record away from Orlando. The Magic deserve to be favored for this matchup and should win, but it may not be as easy this 13.5-point spread suggets.
The Magic need to win this game and should do so, but covering this 13.5-point spread in Boston could be a challenge.
Orlando is 18-20 ATS on the road and 22-28 ATS as a favorite. The Celtics, meanwhile, are 14-9 ATS as an underdog. Despite missing it’s playoff rotation, I don’t think Boston just rolls over here and I like their chances of covering.
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