The Boston Celtics welcome the Orlando Magic to the TD Garden. Action begins at 7:30 pm ET on Monday, Mar. 21 and can be seen on CNE and FxF.
The Celtics enter this game hoping for similar success after topping the 76ers 120-105 on Sunday. Avery Bradley played a pivotal role with 20 points, four steals, and four assists. The Magic, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 105-100 loss against the Raptors on Sunday. Evan Fournier had a good game for Orlando, accounting for 21 points, one rebound, and one assist.
Victor Oladipo has been hot for the Magic, averaging 26.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 2.0 blocks, and 2.2 three-pointers over the past five games.
The Magic lead the season series against the Celtics two games to one, including a 119-114 win the last time these two teams met. Marcus Smart was the top overall scorer in the game with 26 points.
The Celtics have gone 40-30 Straight Up (SU) and 36-32-2 Against The Spread (ATS). They have a solid 7-3 ATS record over their last 10 games, but have not fared as well SU (3-7). The Celtics are one of the best in the NBA in terms of free throw percentage, shooting an impressive .791 from the free throw line. Boston is one of the best passing teams in the league with an average of 24.4 assists per game. Boston’s three-point defense can be considered one of the best in the league, allowing just 7.0 three-pointers per game. Boston is one of the league’s top scoring teams off turnovers with an average of 18.6 points per game.
As for their opponent, the Magic have a record of 40-29 ATS and 29-40 SU. Against the Eastern Conference, Orlando is 29-40 SU and 40-29 ATS. One advantage for the Magic could be Boston’s high fouls per game average of 22.7.
Orlando beat Boston in their most recent meeting this season, bringing the head-to-head record to an even 5-5 SU over the last 10 meetings. They are also even ATS in their last 10 games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Bos
Notes
“Boston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games “.
“Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games “.
“Boston is 11-5 ATS in its last 16 games at home”.
“Boston is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games at home”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston’s last 7 games at home”.
“Boston is 12-6 ATS in its last 18 games when playing Orlando”.
“Boston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Orlando”.
“Boston is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games when playing Orlando”.
“Boston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Orlando”.
“Boston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Orlando”.
“Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Orlando”.
Boston’s offense and Orlando’s defense are well matched when it comes to scoring. Boston scores 0.0 points per game (ranked zeroth). Orlando allows 0.0 points per game, which is also ranked zeroth.
Boston and Orlando are well matched, ranking zeroth in points per home game and points allowed per away game respectively. Boston puts up an average of 0.0 points per home game, while Orlando gives up 0.0 points per away game on average.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Boston Celtics are a formidable 28-3. In games where they fail to hit triple digits, the Orlando Magic have an underachieving record of 5-22.
At 12-27, the Boston Celtics have a losing record when their opponents score at least 100 points. The Orlando Magic are 24-18 when they put up triple digits.
The Magic have a defensive rating of 104.7 (ranked 16th). The Celtics rank 13th for their offensive rating of 104.2.
On average, Boston has 101.7 possessions per game and scores 1.042 points on each possession. Orlando has both fewer possessions (98.9) and scores fewer points during those possessions (1.020).
The Boston Celtics average an effective field goal percentage of 48.9% this season. The Orlando Magic have a poor record of 13-28 when opponents have an EFF% of 48.9% or greater.
Boston ranks near the top of the league in assists at fifth (24.4 assists per game). Orlando is ranked seventh, with 23.2 assists per game.
Boston makes an average of 4.2 blocks per game (ranked 24th). Orlando ranks higher in blocks with 5.0 (ranked 15th).
The Boston Celtics are among the best offensive rebounding teams in the league (ranked third). The Orlando Magic are in the top half of NBA teams in defensive rebounding (ranked 15th).
Boston averages 9.4 steals per game, ranking second in the league. Orlando is a poor 8-14 when it allows at least 9 steals.