The Celtics have secured only two victories in their last three matches, although they aim to regain momentum with an upcoming encounter against the faltering Magic.
I anticipate a low-scoring game between the Magic and Celtics at TD Garden. Examine my NBA selections to understand the rationale for wagering on the Under for tonight’s point total.
Prediction for the Magic versus Celtics matchup
My optimal wager: Under 212.5 (-110 at bet365)
My evaluation
Both teams rank highly in the proportion of games that have concluded with the Under this season. The Orlando Magic have a record of 17-25 against the Under, while the Boston Celtics have a record of 17-22-1. The Under has prevailed in six of the last seven head-to-head encounters, including this season’s 108-104 triumph for Orlando at Kia Centre.
Orlando’s offence has ranked among the league’s poorest over the past two seasons, primarily due to a sluggish tempo of play, a defense-oriented strategy, restricted three-point shooting, and many significant injuries to proficient scorers. This season has been characterised by a repetitive routine.
Orlando occupies the lowest position in points per game this season, averaging a meagre 104.5, and Boston is positioned fourth with an average of 117.5. In the past decade, the Magic have faced significant difficulties, being the sole team to average under 100 points (97.6). During that period, the Celtics have dropped to 15th place with a score of 113.2. Should these clubs persist in their low-scoring patterns, they will aggregate merely 210.8 points.
Currently, the Magic hold the second position in defensive rating at 106.9, while the Celtics occupy the sixth position at 109.9. The Magic are bottom in pace, while the Celtics are close behind at 24th. This game is expected to be slow, characterized by a subpar amount of possessions and robust defensive efforts from both teams. I will confidently choose the Under.
