It’s not quite Super Bowl odds, but it’s a big matchup to watch out for. Boston will head to Florida for a battle with the Magic in a clash of two Eastern Conference favorites. Both teams have been inconsistent since the start of the new year, but they’ll surely bring out their best on Thursday for this nationally-televised game.
Celtics vs Magic odds – Thursday, 8:00 PM ET
The Celtics won two games at home against Portland and the Clippers, and now face a very tough back-to-back at Orlando and Atlanta. Paul Pierce has six games in a row of 20 points or more, and remember, Kevin Garnett is still playing his way into shape after a knee injury. Ray Allen has been slumping, averaging just 12.2 points in his last five games, but Rajon Rondo has been picking up the slack, along with his typical stat-stuffing performance all over the floor. Rondo has been a triple-double threat in two games against the Magic, posting 11.5 points, 9.5 boards and 7.0 assists, and if he has a game with those numbers, Boston should come away with a sportsbook win.
The Magic followed up an overtime win in Charlotte by falling in Memphis, and Vince Carter has three straight games in double figures. Carter is playing better after sitting out with a shoulder problem, and they need him on the floor to create space for Dwight Howard, who is trying to carry the Magic. Howard has 22.4 points and 14.6 boards over his last five games, and he’s even shooting 73.6% from the field, which is ridiculous for “Superman”. Carter has averaged 26.5 points in two meetings with the Celtics this season.
US sportsbook odds (US sportsbook reviews) should favor the Magic at home, where they are 16-4. But guess who is one of those four teams to beat the Magic in Orlando? That’s right, the Celtics won 86-77 at Amway Arena on Christmas Day behind a typically great all-around game from Rondo while forcing the Magic to shoot 33.3% from the field. This seems like the sort of game that Boston, a veteran team with lots of experience, are built for, and they’re rounding into form right now. The Magic seem to be having an identity crisis: are they still a three-point gunning team, or are they Dwight Howard’s team?
Internet sports betting pick: Celtics
