SportsLine’s model simulated Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics 10,000 times and revealed its NBA picks for Friday’s 2025 NBA playoff matchup
The series shifts to Kia Center as the 7-seed Orlando Magic host the 2-seed Boston Celtics in Game 3 on Friday in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. The Celtics defended their home court, winning the first two games at TD Garden. In Game 2, Boston topped the Magic 109-100. They are up 2-0 in the first round for the third time in the last four postseasons. Meanwhile, Orlando is down 0-2 for the second straight postseason. Jayson Tatum (wrist) is doubtful for the Celtics.
Tipoff is at 7 p.m. ET from the Kia Center in Orlando. The Celtics are 4.5-point favorites in the latest Celtics vs. Magic odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points is 197.5. Boston is at -218 on the money line (risk $218 to win $100), while Orlando is at +180 (risk $100 to win $180). Before locking in any Celtics vs. Magic picks, make sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters the first full week of the 2025 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 156-116 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $4,000. It is also 22-11 (67%) on top-rated NBA against-the-spread picks this season. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Now, the model has simulated Celtics vs. Magic 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Celtics vs. Magic:
- Celtics vs. Magic spread: Boston -5.5 at DraftKings Sportsbook
- Celtics vs. Magic over/under: 197.5 points
- Celtics vs. Magic money line: Boston -199, Orlando +165
- BOS: Celtics are 39-44-1 against the spread this season
- ORL: Magic are 42-42-1 against the spread this season
- Celtics vs. Magic picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Celtics vs. Magic streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why the Celtics can cover
Guard Jaylen Brown continues to be a smooth shot creator who can score from all three levels on the court. Through the first two games, Brown leads the team in scoring (26) with 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. In Wednesday’s win over Orlando, Brown racked up 36 points, 10 boards and five assists.
Guard Derrick White is a two-way threat in the backcourt with a knock-down perimeter jumper. White is averaging 23.5 points, five rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in the first two games. In his previous outing, the 30-year-old finished with 17 points, six rebounds and five assists. See which team to back at SportsLine.
Why the Magic can cover
Forward Paolo Banchero excels all across the floor as a scorer due to his touch and length. Banchero is putting up a team-best 34 points with 10 rebounds and 5.5 assists in the first two games of the series. The Duke product has scored 30-plus points in back-to-back games. On Wednesday, he logged 32 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two blocks.
Forward Franz Wagner is an additional playmaker for the Magic. Wagner is putting up 24 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game this series. The Michigan product has scored 20-plus points in 14 of his last 15 games. In his last contest, Wagner finished with 25 points, four rebounds and four assists. See which team to back at SportsLine.
How to make Celtics vs. Magic picks
SportsLine’s model has simulated Celtics vs. Magic and is leaning Under the total, projecting 198 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s NBA picks.
So who wins Celtics vs. Magic, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Celtics vs. Magic spread to back, all from the model that has returned well over $10,000 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
