The Boston Celtics aim to take a commanding 3-0 series lead as they visit the Orlando Magic for a pivotal Game 3 showdown at Kia Center on Friday night.
With Boston riding the momentum of two convincing home victories and Jaylen Brown coming off a dominant 36-point performance, the Magic desperately need their struggling offense to find rhythm on their home court where they've historically played well against the Celtics.
The potential absence of Celtics star Jayson Tatum (questionable with a wrist injury) could open the door for Paolo Banchero and the Magic to climb back into this first-round series.
Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics prediction: who will win?
For tonight's Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics matchup, our predictive model gives the Celtics a 78.33% chance of defeating the Magic.
Pre-game probabilities
Boston Celtics
Moneyline
Win %
78%
22%
Orlando Magic
Boston Celtics: 78.33% win probability
- Elite overall record (61-21, 2nd in Eastern Conference)
- Superior offensive production (9534 points scored vs Magic's 8645)
- Outstanding defensive efficiency (8787 points allowed, best in the East)
Orlando Magic: 21.67% win probability
- Offensive limitations (8645 total points, lowest in the East)
- Mediocre overall record (41-41, 7th in Eastern Conference)
- Inconsistent performance against top teams (facing the #2 seed with a significant talent gap)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model brings together insights from top NBA experts. Instead of searching through countless expert analyses online, you can rely on our predictions to capture the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing expert picks, data, and trends, while our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. These confidence levels are then averaged to generate an 'expert opinion' win probability—providing a data-driven reflection of the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NBA analysts.
| Orlando Magic | Boston Celtics | |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline |
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Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics preview
The Celtics have put themselves in commanding position with a 2-0 series lead, but now face the challenge of a Magic team that's been nearly unbeatable at home following road losses, winning 12 of their last 13 such games at Kia Center.
Jaylen Brown's masterful 36-point performance carried Boston in Game 2 while Jayson Tatum sat with a wrist injury, showcasing the championship pedigree that makes the Celtics dangerous even when shorthanded.
Orlando's offensive struggles have been their undoing thus far, shooting a dismal 24% from beyond the arc in Game 2 despite Paolo Banchero's impressive 32-point effort.
The Magic desperately need their role players to step up, particularly Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who managed just three points on 1-of-9 shooting last game.
Though Boston appears firmly in control, the series now shifts to a venue where the Celtics have lost four straight following a win, potentially opening the door for a desperate Magic squad to fight their way back into contention.
With Tatum's status still questionable and Orlando's elite defense likely to perform better on home court, expect a physical, grinding affair that could test Boston's depth and resilience.
Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics form
Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics head to head
Orlando Magic
80%
Boston Celtics
20%
Apr 25, 2025
Orlando Magic
0 : 0
Boston Celtics
Apr 23, 2025
Boston Celtics
109 : 100
Orlando Magic
Apr 20, 2025
Boston Celtics
103 : 86
Orlando Magic
Apr 9, 2025
Orlando Magic
96 : 76
Boston Celtics
Jan 18, 2025
Boston Celtics
121 : 94
Orlando Magic
Dec 24, 2024
Orlando Magic
108 : 104
Boston Celtics
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