Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics: Celtics look for a big winning streak against struggling Magic

The NBA Regular Season has been moving towards the trade deadline and this is a crucial phase for many teams as it can make or break the season. There are players disgruntled with their squads and certain squads that want to move away from certain players and seek returns that can fill multiple holes. As a writer, this is an important phase too because it can change the dynamics of how I have looked at the team since the beginning of the season. However, it is interesting too since I love to see who fits where and how it changes the season of a team. Let us see what surprises this trade deadline brings! Anyway, let us jump into this game between the Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics.

The Magic have been struggling all season long and have one of the worst records in the league with just 12 wins and 42 losses. They had won three out of four games before a heavy loss against one of the best teams in the league in the form of the Memphis Grizzlies. However, overall, the team has been hitting multiple losing streaks, completely losing their way early in the game and suffering blowouts after blowouts. Still, the team’s young core has showcased huge promises and this can be a strong core in the making.

On the other hand, the Celtics have been in the win-now mode for a long time and they have already developed their required players. They have won 29 games and have 25 losses, right now on a four-game winning streak, and have won six of the last seven games. Still, this should have been a norm throughout the season, which hasn’t been the case for Boston and they will now need to build something special here to catch up with teams like Bulls, Heat, Bucks, and the 76ers. Can the Celtics win five in a row and extend their streak further as the season progresses? To know my game total and result prediction, jump to “Expert Betting Tips”. For my player-based predictions, go to “Player Performance Prediction”.

Celtics have found their groove, Magic’s promise

This is a vital window for the Celts

The Celtics’ current four-game winning streak is the first time that the team has won these many games. They had been on three-game winning streaks before but a four-game stretch had been out of their grasp. This is a great opportunity for them to build something sustainable and make sure that they shoot up in the ranking. In this game, they will face a team that has struggled all season and will play a back-to-back fixture. Meanwhile, their next game is against the Brooklyn Nets, a team that has struggled quite a bit recently. The team doesn’t have a lengthy home stretch moving ahead in the season so they will need to learn to win away from home.

The Celtics' defense has been one of the best recently and they have punctured oppositions with their superb athleticism and team chemistry on that end. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Al Horford, and Robert Williams III are all great individual defenders and when they are in their full flow, they can make scoring tough for extended periods. For a team that doesn’t score many points on fastbreak and has a methodical offense, it is essential to have a quality defense and that is one area where the Celtics have done a great job. On the offensive end, the team has two high-quality isolation scorers in Tatum and Brown while Smart is a decent scorer as well. But yes, the team has largely relied on their defense to be effective.

Magic has a solid core

Yes, sure, Magic has lost a ton of games but that is to be expected from a team that has a couple of rookies, a sophomore, and two other young players in the main five. Orlando’s season wasn’t about making the Playoffs anyway and their goal has been to develop the young talent and scout who they can draft for the next season. Some of their key players like Fultz, Isaac, and Carter-Williams haven’t hit the floor yet and heaven knows when any one of them will return. However, it doesn’t mean that the season has been a best, tough lesson for youngsters and a promising core has been built.

The Frontcourt of Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. has sparked the league with a great complimentary tandem. While Wagner can be an effective wing scorer, Carter Jr. has shown the ability to pull down big-time boards, play hard on defense, and also his scoring has a lot of potential. In the backcourt, Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs have been inefficient but it is fine, I am sure they will figure out the league’s system soon. But yes, with Anthony, you have an all-around PG while Suggs can become a long-term iso threat who has ability passing-wise too. Off the bench, Chuma Okeke can be a dynamic player with his ability to steal the ball and score quickly but yes, he is a work in progress. Mo Bamba in the middle is getting much-needed playing time too while veterans in Gary Harris and now struggling Terance Ross can help out the young uns too. The Magic has set a solid foundation if anything.

Player Performance Prediction

Assuming they are healthy, these are my player-based predictions:

• I believe Wendell Carter Jr. will score at least 12 but below 16;
• I believe Jaylen Brown is going to score more than 27 here;
• I believe Gary Harris will score less than 13 points here;
• I think Robert Williams III will block at least 3 shots;
• I believe Jayson Tatum will score at least 25 points here;
• I see Franz Wagner being held under 15 here.

Expert Betting Tips

Points Range: Well, the Celtics have been usually scoring around 106 points or so this season but have the potential to explode for 110+ every now and then. With Tatum and Brown, they are always on the hunt for a big night afterall. On the other hand, Magic has scored 115 or more in four of the last five games and has played some of their offense since the late January period.

On the defensive end, the Celtics have not allowed more than 108 points for the last seven games. On the other hand, the Magic have allowed 118 or more in three games straight. I think the Celtics will hold the Magic below 106 points here at least while they will cross the 110+ points mark here. The Total Points Range seems to be 210-220 here.

Prediction: Eh, well, in the overall scheme, the Celtics will be the favourites to win this despite playing away from home. They have been playing some terrific basketball recently and they have been playing great defense throughout the season. I think the team will shut down Magic here and end their streak of scoring 110 points or more. I believe Brown and Tatum will explode for a big night while one among Robert Williams or Al Horford will score more than 10 here. I see the Celtics taking this gme 113:102.

Betting Odds

• Total 2 Over 112.5 for 1.94;
• Orlando Magic- Total Points Under 103.5 for 1.90;
• Spread: BOS Celtics -8.5 for 1.90.