- The Boston Celtics visit the Orlando Magic on Monday night
- The Magic are still without Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, and lost Mo Wagner for the season on Saturday
- See the Boston Celtics vs Orlando Magic predictions, player props, and best available odds for Dec. 23
An injury-plagued season just keeps getting worse for the hard-luck Orlando Magic (18-12, 11-2 home, 17-12-1 ATS). Already missing leading scorers Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the elder Wagner brother, Mortiz, suffered a season-ending knee injury on the weekend. What’s left of the Orlando roster will host the reigning-champion Boston Celtics (11-6, 11-2 away, 11-17 ATS) on Monday night at the Kia Center at 7:10 pm ET.
Celtics vs Magic Predictions
- Orlando Magic +10.5 (-105) at Caesars
- Suggs over 20.5 points (-115) at DraftKings Odds as of Dec. 23. Get a promo code from one of the best sports betting apps to wager on tonight’s NBA slate.
The Magic have shown remarkable resilience this season. Banchero, their lone All-Star last season, has played just five games, yet the Magic still hold the #4 seed in the East. They’re 2-3 straight-up and 3-2 ATS since Franz Wagner was injured on Dec. 6, with wins against Phoenix (115-110 home) and Miami (121-114 home) and respectable losses to Milwaukee (114-109 away), New York (100-91 home), and OKC (105-99 home).
It’s no secret how the Magic are managing to tread water: defense. The Magic sit third in the NBA with a 106.5 Defensive Rating while playing at the fourth-slowest pace in the league.
I don’t have a ton of negative things to say about the Celtics. Jayson Tatum (28.8 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 5.7 AGP) has become a legitimate contender in the NBA MVP odds and, with Payton Pritchard (16.0 PPG, 43.1 3P% doing his best Steph Curry impression, they are deserving favorites in the NBA championship odds.
But they are once again staring down a massive spread on Monday night, laying 10.5 points on the road to a team that’s tied for the second-best home record in the league (11-2). The Celtics aren’t 11-17 against the spread because they’ve dropped off by any noticeable amount compared to last season. They’re just having to cover massive numbers on a nightly basis.
I’m also going back to a player that burned me last time: Jalen Suggs (16.0 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.9 APG). The Magic point guard was limited to just nine points in 17 minutes against OKC on Thursday (when I also bet him to go over) before missing Saturday’s win over Miami. The Gonzaga product is listed as questionable tonight. If he’s in the lineup, I expect him to have another big night. In four full games without Wagner, he’s averaged 22.8 PPG as Jamahl Mosley asks him to shoulder more of the scoring burden.
BOS vs ORL Player Props
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three-Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum (BOS) | 25.5 (Ov -110 | Un -120) | 8.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) | 4.5 (Ov -130 | Un -100) | 3.5 (Ov +124 | Un -160) |
| Jayley Brown (BOS) | 20.5 (Ov -120| Un -110) | 5.5 (Ov +110 | Un -140) | 3.5 (Ov -145 | Un +114) | 1.5 (Ov -195 | Un +150) |
| Jalen Suggs (ORL) | 20.5 (Ov -115| Un -115) | 3.5 (Ov -160 | Un +124) | 4.5 (Ov -105 | Un -125) | 2.5 (Ov -135 | Un +105) |
| Kristaps Porzingis (BOS) | 16.5 (Ov -120 | Un -110) | 7.5 (Ov -100 | Un -130) | OFF | 1.5 (Ov -135 | Un +105) |
| Derrick White (BOS) | 13.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) | 4.5 (Ov +120 | Un -154) | 4.5 (Ov +124 | Un -160) | 2.5 (Ov -130 | Un -10) |
| Payton Pritchard (BOS) | 12.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) | 3.5 (Ov -140 | Un +110) | 3.5 (Ov +124 | Un -160) | 2.5 (Ov -160 | Un +124) |
| Goga Bitadze (ORL) | 12.5 (Ov -110 | Un -120) | 9.5 (Ov -115 | Un -115) | 2.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) | OFF |
| Tristan da Silva (ORL) | 11.5 (Ov -105 | Un -125) | 3.5 (Ov -154 | Un +120) | OFF | 1.5 (Ov -135 | Un +105) |
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (ORL) | 10.5 (Ov -120 | Un -110) | 2.5 (Ov +150 | Un -195) | OFF | 1.5 (Ov -188 | Un +145) |
| Wendell Carter Jr (ORL) | 9.5 (Ov -100 | Un -130) | 7.5 (Ov -120 | Un -110) | 2.5 (Ov -115 | Un -115) | 0.5 (Ov -180 | Un +140) |
| Jrue Holiday (BOS) | 9.5 (Ov -105 | Un -125) | 3.5 (Ov -166| Un +130) | 3.5 (Ov +105 | Un -135) | 1.5 (Ov +114 | Un -145) |
NBA player props from DraftKings on Dec. 23.
The Celtics/Magic player props list Tatum with a game-high point total of 25.5 with Jaylen Brown (23.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.7 APG) and Jalen Suggs both at 20.5. Orlando center Goga Bitadze (9.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.9 APG) leads the rebound totals at 9.5.
A trio of players – Tatum, Suggs, and Derrick White (17.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 4.7 APG) – have assist total of 4.5, which is the biggest number on the board in what’s expected to be a low-scoring today by modern NBA standards.
Best Celtics vs Magic Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | -9.5 (-115) at BetMGM | -490 at FanDuel | O 213.5 (-115) at ESPN Bet |
| Orlando Magic | +10.5 (-105) at Caesars | +400 at Caesars | U 215.5 (-110) at BetMGM |
There is a pretty sizable range in Monday’s Celtics vs Magic odds. The point spread is 10.5 at most books but a point lower at BetMGM. On the moneyline, Orlando is a lengthy +400 at Caesars while bettors can find the best Celtics price (-490) at FanDuel.
The game total shows a full two-point discrepancy across sportsbooks. The lowest total is currently 213.5 (O -115 | U -105) at ESPN Bet, while the highest total is 215.5 (O -110 | U -110) at BetMGM, creating a unique opportunity to try to middle the game total before tip-off.
Don’t expect the total to stay at 213.5 for long though. The NBA public betting splits for Monday show the vast majority of money (94% of O/U handle) on the over as of 1:43 pm ET.
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The Boston Celtics will face off against the Orlando Magic on December 23rd in what is expected to be an exciting matchup between two Eastern Conference teams. As fans gear up for the game, many are looking to make predictions on the outcome, player props, and find the best odds for betting on the game.
One of the key factors to consider when making predictions for this game is the recent performance of both teams. The Celtics have been playing well as of late, with a record of 17-13 and currently sitting in the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference. On the other hand, the Magic have struggled this season with a record of 5-24 and are currently in the 15th seed.
When it comes to player props, there are a few standout players to keep an eye on in this matchup. For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum has been a consistent scorer for the team, averaging 25.9 points per game this season. Kemba Walker is also a player to watch, as he has been a key contributor on both ends of the court. For the Magic, Cole Anthony has been a bright spot for the team, averaging 18.4 points per game.
As for the best odds for betting on the game, sportsbooks are currently favoring the Celtics to come out on top in this matchup. The Celtics are currently listed as -6.5 point favorites, with an over/under of 214 points. Bettors may also want to consider betting on player props such as Tatum to score over 25 points or Walker to record a double-double.
Overall, the Celtics vs Magic game on December 23rd is shaping up to be an exciting matchup between two Eastern Conference teams. Fans and bettors alike will be eagerly watching to see how the game unfolds and if their predictions and player props come to fruition.