Celtics vs. Magic | NBA Analysis, Odds, & Best Bets (4/25)

The 2025 NBA Playoffs are officially underway and today we’re here to talk about Game 3 between the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics in their Eastern Conference Quarter-Final.

For additional information on picks, props, money lines and more on today’s slate, take a look at our NBA Picks Page or our NBA Odds Page, here. 

Celtics vs. Magic | Game Information

Matchup Information

• Location: Kia Center; Orlando, Flordia
• Date: Friday, April 25th, 2025
• Tipoff: 7:00 PM EST

(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Orlando Magic| Regular Season Matchups

• Celtics (76) @ Magic (96) – 4/09/25
• Magic (94) @ Celtics (121) – 1/17/25
• Celtics (104) @ Magic (108) – 12/23/24

Betting Odds

Odds via BetOnline, an industry leader in the sports betting world.

Celtics vs. Magic | Game 2 Recap

Result: Celtics (109) – Magic (100)

The Celtics were without their Tatum for Game 2 but the team didn’t skip a beat. Jaylen Brown took center stage and lit TD Garden on fire; the Celtics guard scored 36 points on 12/19 from the field, grabbed 10 rebounds and even dished out 5 assists. JB played 42 minutes in a game without overtime so it feels safe to say his knee is just fine.

Boston’s big man Kristaps Porzingis took a shot early in Game 2, causing a gash on his forehead and five stitches to seal it. He finished with 20 points despite a tough shooting night and grabbed 10 rebounds to boot. For the Magic it was once again a tough night for most guys outside of their two superstars.

Franz and Paolo combined for 57 of the Magic’s 100 points, with Wendell Carter pitching in for 16 of his own. Orlando’s bench once again failed to score even 20 points, really contributing to the team’s offensive struggles.

Next Man Up

With Tatum out of the lineup in Game 2, it was next man up for the Celtics. JT’s running mate, Jaylen Brown handled business not just in the scoring department, but attacking the glass and spent a majority of his time guarding Paolo Banchero.

Boston’s depth at the guard position is just one of the reason’s they’ve had so much success this year. The trio of Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Jrue Holiday all played 33+ minutes and combined for 42 points. Tonight with Tatum once again doubtful, they’ll need these guys to step up once again.

Our Best Bets in Game 3 between the Celtics and Magic

Kristaps Porziņģis o20.5 Points (-115 via BetOnline)

Porziņģis has struggled offensively in this series so far. He’s coming off a 20-point outing but took 14 shots to get there and shot 36% from the field. KP was able to get to the line for 14 free throw attempts, but outside of that his shot just hasn’t been falling.

In the series opener, Porziņģis scored just 5 points in 26 minutes of game time; shooting 1/8 from the field and 0/2 from beyond the arc. Tonight with Tatum once again looking doubtful and now with Brown popping up on the injury report, the Celtics will need to lean on KP to play better.

So far in his postseason career with the Celtics, Porziņģis has yet to clear 20 points. Last year against the Heat he wasn’t needed much prior to his injury in Game 4. Porziņģis would come back in Game 1 of the finals to score 20 points in just 21 minutes of game time and set the crowd ablaze with 11 points in the first quarter.

KP saw a 25% usage rate in Game 2 without Tatum and tonight it should be more of the same. The Magic have their backs against the wall, down 3-0 is a spot no one wants to be. Expect the Magic to come out in front of their home crowd tonight and throw the first punch.

Tonight, in front of a hostile Orlando crowd, with the chance to secure a 3-0 lead; the Celtics will need Zingus to have a signature Zingus type game tonight. 

Jaylen Brown o10.5 A/R (-120 via BetOnline)

Without Tatum in the lineup, Jaylen Brown steps up in more ways than one. Over the last two seasons, in 14 games without Jayson Tatum, Brown is averaging 27.5 PPG, 6.4 RPG and 4.9 APG. Brown’s shoting 53% from the field and 41% from beyond the arc, additionally averaging 10.4 rebound chances per game and 8.8 potential assists per contest.

JB unlocks his full arsenal when he’s entrusted with the basketball and it’s no surprise it shows up on the stat sheet the way it does. Brown finished with 10 rebounds Game 2 with Tatum on the sidelines and dished out 5 assists on 6 potentials. He handled a bulk of the scoring load in the Celtics’ second game, but with being on the road, I expect Brown’s shooting percentages to decline just a little bit.

On the year, Brown’s shooting percentage drops 5% when on the road and his 3-point percentage drops nearly 10%. Orlando’s defense has been tough all season, allowing just 105 PPG (1st) this year, but they’ve found a different gear at home (103 PPG allowed).

If the Magic hope to take advantage of the Celtics while they remain without Tatum, they’ll need to find a way to stop Jaylen Brown. In Game 2 we saw JB Bickerstaff attack Brown with both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner; neither one with any real success. Orlando will need adjust tonight.

I predict we see the use of some double teams, traps and an all around strategy that centers around making Brown make decisions and getting the ball out of his hands. In games without Tatum where Brown sees 30+ minutes, he’s averaging 4.1 turnovers per game, almost double what he averages for the regular season.

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