T
NFL
Scores & Results

Magic Visit Celtics in Pivotal Regular Season Finale for Orlando

Maya Thompson
Maya Thompson
NBA Correspondent
2:32 PM
NBA
Magic Visit Celtics in Pivotal Regular Season Finale for Orlando
The Orlando Magic look to improve their postseason positioning when they take on a Boston Celtics squad that has already secured the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed and may rest key players on Sunday.

With the postseason picture nearly complete, the Orlando Magic head to TD Garden on Sunday night for a nationally televised matchup against a Boston Celtics team that has already wrapped up its playoff seed — and may treat this final regular season game accordingly.

The tipoff is set for 6 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the game on NBC Sports Boston, the Florida Sun Sports Network, or ESPN depending on their market.

Orlando enters the night sitting second in the Southeast Division with a 45-36 record, but the Magic are fighting to shore up their position heading into the playoffs. The current trajectory suggests the Magic could be headed for the play-in tournament rather than a guaranteed top-six seed, making every remaining game significant for their postseason fate.

The Celtics, by contrast, have little left to play for in the standings. Boston has compiled a 55-26 record and secured the No. 1 seed in the Atlantic Division, locked into the Eastern Conference's second overall playoff position. With the postseason looming, head coach Joe Mazzulla may opt to give key players a night off or limit their minutes in this regular-season finale.

That decision by Boston could be the deciding factor in how this game plays out. The betting line reflects the uncertainty: Boston opens as a 12.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 219.5 points. The Magic, despite traveling to face a superior opponent, carry a heavy -700 moneyline favorite — an indication that oddsmakers expect Orlando to handle business regardless of who suits up for the Celtics.

Orlando has shown resilience this season behind its young core, finding ways to win close games and grind out results when the stakes are highest. Sunday's test will reveal whether that mettle translates to a potential playoff atmosphere against one of the league's elite teams.

Whether the Celtics play their full rotation or look ahead to the postseason, the Magic know what they need to do: win, and control their own destiny in the Eastern Conference race.

Share this article

Comments

0

No comments yet

Be the first to share your thoughts!