The Orlando Magic will play their final regular-season game on the road Sunday against the Boston Celtics. While it could be a preview of a potential first-round matchup, it may be far from what the playoffs will look like. Boston is locked into the second seed in the East with a 55-26 record, while Orlando is seventh at 45-36, tied in a three-way race with the Toronto Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Celtics lead the series 2-1. They last played on Nov. 23, when Boston won 138-129 behind Jaylen Brown’s 35 points. Orlando was led by Jett Howard’s 30 points.
Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics Odds
Moneyline: Magic (-600) vs Celtics (+450)
Spread: Magic +11.5 (-108) vs Celtics -11.5 (-112)
Total (O/U): Magic o217.5 (-110) vs Celtics u217.5 (-110)
Editor’s note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.
Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics Preview and Playoff Seeding Scenarios
Heading into Sunday, the Magic are tied with the sixth-place Toronto, but they will need to win this one since the Raptors hold the tiebreaker. The 76ers are just one game behind both teams.
The Magic’s playoff destiny isn’t completely in their hands, as they’ll need both the Raptors and 76ers to lose in order to secure a guaranteed playoff spot. Orlando is on a five-game winning streak and last played on Friday, earning a 127-103 win over the Chicago Bulls. Franz Wagner led the team with 25 points, while Jamal Cain and Paolo Banchero added 20 and 14 points.
The Celtics have secured the second seed and have nothing to lose on Sunday. They are coming off a stunning 144-118 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. Sam Hauser and Jaylen Brown led the scoring with a combined 47 points.
It remains to be seen how the Celtics will rotate their players for the final regular-season game. They will face the winner of the seventh and eighth play-in game, likely the Magic or the 76ers in the first round.
Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics Injury Reports
Orlando Magic Injury Report
Wendell Carter Jr. (nasal) is listed as probable, while Jett Howard (ankle) and Jonathan Isaac (knee) are questionable.
Boston Celtics Injury Report
With this game meaning very little, the Celtics are resting a large portion of their players. Jayson Tatum (Achilles management), Jaylen Brown (Achilles tendinitis), Neemias Queta (toe) and Derrick White (knee contusion) are all listed out. While Payton Pritchard (left foot plantar fasciitis), Sam Hauser (back) and Nikola Vucevic (finger) are listed as doubtful.
Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics Starting Lineups
Magic
PG: Jalen Suggs | SG: Desmond Bane | SF: Franz Wagner | PF: Paolo Banchero | C: Wendell Carter Jr.
Celtics
PG: Ron Harper Jr. | SG: Baylor Scheierman | SF: Jordan Walsh | PF: Hugo Gonzalez | C: Luka Garza
Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics Prediction
While the Celtics have the better overall season record, the odds have swung drastically in Orlando’s favor as Boston is resting almost its entire starting lineup. Much may also depend on how the Magic handle their rotations, but an easy win feels like the most likely outcome for Orlando.
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