Some of the best NBA fireworks seen in recent years has come between the Orlando Magic (26-14) and Boston Celtics (30-9). NBA betting will be running hot and heavy on Martin Luther King Jr. Day when these two Eastern Conference goliaths go head to head at Boston's TD Garden Arena (8:05 pm ET). Odds makers at most offshore sports betting shops have the Celtics lined as -3 spreads favorites with a 192 1/2 total. NBA betting fans can keep tabs of the most up to the moment NBA Spreads , prior to making their picks.
Tonight's game will be the second between the teams and the first to be played in Boston. On Christmas day, the Magic defeated the Celtics by the score of 86-78, and cashing as a 2 1/2-chalk home favorite. The game score went UNDER the posted 190 total. With a win Monday, the Magic can lock up the season series which could be important if the Magic and Celtics finish the regular season tied and meet in the playoffs.
In spreads betting, 66 percent of wagers are riding on the Celtics while slightly more than half are betting the money line that Boston wins the game outright. Most bettors, 78 percent, are wagering the combined game score goes OVER the posted 192 1/2.
The Celtics have shown vulnerability at home to Orlando, losing three of their last five games to the Magic. In the teams last 10 head to head meetings anywhere, the teams have split 5-5 dating back to November of 2009.
Prospective totals betters should take note that the combined score total has fallen UNDER the posted total in seven of the last 10 games played between these teams and gone UNDER in four of five games played at TD Garden Arena.
Against all competition, the Magic is 11-9 SU on the road this year while going 26-14 both at home and on the road. The Magic have struggled covering betting spreads going 7-13 on the road and below .500 cashing in 17 of 38 games total. Orlando has shown improvement ATS in their last ten games going 4-2 on the road and 7-3 overall.
Boston is 18-3 at TD Garden Arena and is been good on the road going 12-6. The Celtics have not been good for backers at home this season going 8-12 ATS. Boston is much better cashing for backers on the road by going 11-7. Overall, the Celtics are 19-19 ATS. Over their last 10 games, Boston is 5-2 at home, 1-2 in road games and 3-7 ATS. In home games over the last 10 game span, Boston is 2-5 ATS.
NBA Picks: I'm betting that Boston gets by the Magic at home by five. BEST BET – Celtics -3.
