Celtics vs. Magic Prediction: Today's Game 3 Odds, Expert Picks & NBA Playoff Preview
The Boston Celtics enter today's Game 3 with the Orlando Magic as 5.5-point betting favorites. Ahead of tipoff from Kia Center at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN), our Celtics vs. Magic prediction digs into whether Orlando can claw back a game after dropping two on the road to start the series.
Like most, our NBA picks had the Celtics winning the first two games at home. After Jayson Tatum missed the second game, and his status remains up the air for tonight, this series could get interesting.
Boston served as a 10-point favorite right up until tipoff on Wednesday, so we're seeing that Orlando playing at home is worth roughly 4.5 points for the underdogs based on the lines at our best sports betting sites.
📡 How to watch Celtics vs. Magic live (Game 3)
📅 Friday, April 25
🕗 7 p.m. ET
📍 Kia Center (Orlando)
📺 ESPN | 🛜 ESPN+
💡 Celtics vs. Magic expert picks for Game 3
✅ Against the spread pick: Celtics -5.5 (-110 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐
✅ Moneyline pick: Celtics (-218 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ Over/Under pick: Over 197.5 (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐
🎯 Celtics vs. Magic Game 3 prediction
Score prediction: Celtics 105, Magic 98
🏀 Game 3 preview & best bet
The Celtics didn't cover the Game 2 spread with just a 9-point win at home, but that would have been enough to cover today's line.
Sure, the series is shifting away from TD Garden, but the Celtics were actually better on the road this season than they were at home. They finished 33-8 away from Boston and just 28-13 in front of the Celtics faithful.
It's likely Tatum could miss another contest with his team owning a 2-0 series lead, but we saw that didn't matter much in Game 2. Jaylen Brown stepped up to take over as the Celtics' alpha, dropping 36 points on only 19 field-goal attempts. Kristaps Porzingis also had a big game, as he recorded a double-double for the first time since March 18.
If Tatum misses another game, the other Celtics stars should once again rise to the occasion. If he suits up, this number will jump significantly. I like betting it now rather than waiting in both cases.
✅ Best bet: Celtics -5.5 (-110 via FanDuel)
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🔥 Jaylen Brown Over 19.5 points ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Brown on average is neither the player who dropped 36 on 63% shooting in Game 2 nor the one who scored only 16 on 43% shooting in Game 1. He's closer to the latter in this ultra-tough matchup with the Magic, but I still think this line is too low.
The star guard cleared this total in three of four matchups with Orlando this year, and following his outburst in Game 2, he should carry some momentum into this showdown.
We already know that Brown's prop will jump a handful of points if Tatum is sidelined again, so if you like it at this number with Tatum potentially in - as I do - then I see nothing wrong with pulling the trigger early.
✅ Best odds: -122 via FanDuel ($10 to win $8.20)
🚀 Best same-game parlay (SGP) for Celtics vs. Magic
🧪 Want to build your own SGP? Use our parlay calculator to find the best odds for any same-game parlay.
📈 Celtics vs. Magic odds for Game 3
Live updated odds from our best sports betting sites.
🪧 Game 3 opening odds
Opening odds via BetMGM.
- Spread: Celtics -5.5 (-115) | Magic +5.5 (-105)
- Moneyline: Celtics -238 | Magic +195
- Over/Under: Over 197.5 (-110) | Under 197.5 (-110)
🚑 Celtics vs. Magic injury report for Game 3
Follow the official NBA injury report for more injury news.
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💵 Best NBA betting sites
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