Boston Celtics vs Orlando Magic picks, predictions, odds: Who wins NBA playoffs first round series.?

The No. 2 seed Boston Celtics and No. 7 seed Orlando Magic play in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs starting Sunday, April 20.

The Boston Celtics are back in the playoffs and will try to defend their title in 2025. Up first for the reigning champs is a first-round series against the Orlando Magic. The Celtics went 61-21 in the regular season, finishing second in the Eastern Conference behind the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Magic, meanwhile, earned the No. 7 seed in the East bracket with their Play-In Tournament win over the Atlanta Hawks. Game 1 of Celtics-Magic is set for Sunday in Boston.

The Celtics were dominant as expected in the regular season, and they went 29-6 in their last 35 games. Jayson Tatum appears headed to his fourth consecutive All-NBA First Team selection after scoring 26.8 points per game. The Celtics had five players average at least 14 points per game in the regular season: Tatum, Jayson Brown, Kristaps Porziņģis, Derrick White and Sixth Man of the Year favorite Payton Pritchard. Boston cruised through the East playoffs last season, going a combined 12-2 against the Heat, Cavaliers and Pacers.

The Magic finished 41-41 in an up-and-down regular season. Orlando started the season 15-7 and was six games under .500 as late as March 19, but the team finished the season winning nine of its final 12 games. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner both dealt with injuries along the way, but they were great when they were on the court. Banchero averaged 25.9 points per game in 46 games, while Wagner averaged 24.2 points in 60 appearances.

Check out these NBA playoffs series picks and predictions for the first-round matchup.

Boston Celtics vs Orlando Magic NBA Playoffs predictions, picks,

NBC Sports Boston: Celtics will beat Magic in four games

Nick Goss writes: "Celtics in four. Boston has too much firepower and experience for the young Magic. Injuries and poor 3-point shooting are the only factors that could push this series to six or seven games. The Celtics have been waiting for the playoffs all season. These players are eager to prove they are still the best team in the league and capable of repeating as champs. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Celtics make quick work of the Magic and send a message that the road to the Larry O’Brien Trophy still runs through Boston."

NBA.com: Celtics will defeat Magic in four games

Steve Aschburner writes: "One team will be embarking again on what it hopes is a long playoff trek that ends only after it secures yet another Larry O’Brien Trophy. The other team is Orlando. Sure, the Magic have been playing well recently – including Tuesday’s Play-In Tournament blowout of Atlanta – and see this as an opportunity to salvage an injury-riddled season that began with loftier goals. But that’s not in the same time zone as chasing a 19th championship banner. Eventually that could turn into postseason pressure – but not yet. The Celtics were grumpy last year when Miami took Game 2 in the opening round. Given the challenges ahead, Boston locks in to finish this one fast."

CBS Sports: Celtics picked to advance past Magic

All seven writers picked Boston to advance to the second round of the NBA playoffs. The writers are very high on the Celtics' postseason chances, with all of them at least having Boston make the NBA Finals.

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NBC Sports: Celtics will win series vs Magic in five games

Kurt Helin doesn't see Boston having much trouble with Orlando in the first-round NBA playoffs series.

NBA Playoffs: Boston Celtics vs Orlando betting odds

The Celtics are -10000 to win the series in NBA playoffs odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook. The Magic are +2200.

The Celtics winning in four games is at +125 in odds for the outcome of the series. Boston is at +135 to win in five games, +550 to win in six games and +700 to win in seven games.

The Magic are +3500 to beat the Celtics in six games, +5000 to win in seven games, +17500 to win in five games and +30000 to sweep Boston.

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