Celtics vs. Magic Prediction
Will the Boston Celtics cover the point spread as a road favorite tonight when they visit the Orlando magic at 7:00 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot
(801) Boston Celtics at (802) Orlando Magic
Friday, March 16, 2018
TV: N/A, 7:00 p.m. ET
CURRENT ODDS
According to oddsmakers from online sports book YouWager, the Celtics are 6.5-point road favorites to beat the Magic, while the over/under currently sits at 203.5 points at the majority of online sportsbooks.
LINE MOVEMENT
Boston opened as a 6.5-point favorite and that’s where the line currently sits. That said, the over/under has moved ahead of tonight’s game. After hitting the board at 205, the number has dropped to 203.5.
WHO PUBLIC BETTORS LIKE
As of Friday afternoon, 64% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks for tonight’s game are on the Celtics to cover the point spread. Meanwhile, 61% of the betting tickets are on the over.
KEY INJURIES
The Celtics are dealing with a slew of injuries. First things first: Kyrie Irving (knee) will not play. Gordan Hayward, of course, remains out with his leg injury and both Marcus Smart (thumb) and Jaylen Brown (concussion) are out, too. Al Horford (illness), however, is probable.
The Magic, meanwhile, are still without Aaron Gordon (concussion), Evan Fournier (knee) and Terrence Ross (knee).
BETTING STRATEGY
Even though the Celtics will be without Irving, they’re actually 5-3 when he does not play. Granted, they did blow a 20-point lead in a 125-124 double-overtime loss to the Wizards on Wednesday, but they should rebound, even without several key players. The Magic did beat the Bucks 126-117 home on Wednesday to halt their five-game losing streak but they needed a career-high 35 points from Jonathon Simmons and 32 from D.J. Augustin after averaging 90.4 points in that five-game skid. They won’t get that again tonight and without their two-leading scorers, I see Orlando falling big.
FRIDAY NBA PREDICTION: BOSTON CELTICS -6.5