Predicting the contours, outcome of Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic in the first round

USA Today

19-04-2025

Predicting the contours, outcome of Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic in the first round
The Boston Celtics are set to take on the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs after the Magic defeated the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in battle for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. While injuries to key players like Jalen Suggs and Moritz Wagner have taken Orlando from the ball club seen by some as most likely to push the Celtics in the postseason this spring to a team that literally had to fight to get into the playoffs, they are still a team Boston is going to feel long after the round is over.
The Magic's lack of offensive acumen is likely a death sentence for their postseason aspirations beyond a half-dozen contests at most, but their elite defense and long, tough wings and big men will make this series more competitive than some might assume.
To get a better feel of how the first round matchup is seen outside the Celtics media sphere, Celtics Wire reached out to some of our other site editors to join us in weighing in on how they see the series going for both teams, as well as their predictions on the outcome. Let's take a look at what they had to say.
Justin Quinn, Celtics Wire
This is the play-in opponent I didn't want for Boston. Not because I think they can't win, or would even be a long series. I don't see more than two games going to Orlando, and would be surprised if more than one did. But this team grinds their opponents hard on the defensive end, and their size and length will leave bruises and fatigue on the Celtics I hoped they might avoid.
Prediction: Boston in 5.
Ky Carlin, Sixers Wire
The Magic are a tough team. They're fantastic defensively–ranked No. 2 in the league in defensive rating. They have two offensive studs in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Yeah. That's cool. The Celtics ranked No. 2 in offensive rating and No. 5 in defensive rating. The Magic have a bottom 5 offense.
There is virtually zero chance Orlando has in this series to keep up with a Boston team that features Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Kristaps Porzingis, who can all dribble and shoot.
Prediction: Celtics in 4
Clemente Almanza, Thunder Wire
This should be easy work for the Celtics. They coasted through the regular season and still finished with 60 wins. The reigning NBA champions are one of three teams that set themselves apart from the rest of the league. It's been a disappointing season for the Magic, littered with injuries that should end in a first round exit. They simply don't have enough offensive firepower to keep up.
Prediction: Celtics in 4
Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire
I'd like to see if a fully healthy Orlando team could inconvenience the Celtics in any way, but Moritz Wagner and Jalen Suggs won't be playing. The one thing that could be intriguing about this series is the fact that the Celtics led the NBA in 3-point attempts and makes this season, while Orlando allowed the fewest such attempts and makes and also finished second in defensive rating.
However, the Magic are as high-powered on offense as a 1985 Ford Tempo. I could see them winning one game if the Celtics momentarily go cold from downtown, but other than that, Boston should roll.
Prediction: Celtics in 5
Sharif Phillips-Keaton, Nets Wire
The Boston Celtics are one of the best teams in the NBA for a reason, and that's because of how deep the team is around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. While Brown is dealing with a knee issue that required an injection, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla made it clear that Brown will be ready for the beginning of the playoffs so Boston shouldn't have much to worry about against the Magic.
With Orlando being without Jalen Suggs and Mo Wagner, the Magic will be missing their starting point guard and their backup center that provided such a spark for them off the bench. Orlando is a formidable defensive team, but they will have to score if they are going to come close to upsetting the Celtics, and that will most likely not happen unless Cole Anthony can continue his excellent play from the play-in tournament.
Prediction: Celtics in 5.
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