The Orlando Magic are essentially in a “must-win” situation when they host the Boston Celtics for Game 3 of their best-of-seven series.
The NBA betting markets for tonight's clash are bountiful, and my Celtics vs. Magic props target scoring props for Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard, and a combo prop for Paolo Banchero.
Read on for my NBA picks for Friday, April 25.
Best Celtics vs Magic props
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Brown o23.5 pts (-115) - Pritchard o13.5 pts (-110)
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Banchero o42.5 P+R+A (-115)
Celtics vs Magic player props for April 25
Jaylen Brown Over 23.5 points (-115 at bet365)
No Jayson Tatum, no problem.
Jaylen Brown scored 36 points Wednesday night to lift the Boston Celtics to a 109-100 Game 2 victory over the Orlando Magic.
Tatum is listed as doubtful for Boston tonight, but even if he does suit up, I like Brown to score big again on Friday night.
Brown effortlessly got to his spots during Game 2. The nine-year veteran shot 12 of 19 from the field, including a 5-for-7 mark from downtown. The Celtics forward did more than shoot triples Wednesday, as the reigning NBA Finals MVP got to the line eight times for an additional seven points.
Brown’s versatility allows him to do what he needs to do, and on Friday night, his job will be to get buckets.
His speed and scoring versatility allowed him to repeatedly beat an energetic Magic defense on Wednesday night. I expect Brown's versatility to be on full display, and he goes for at least 24 points tonight.
Payton Pritchard Over 13.5 points (-110 at bet365)
Payton Pritchard has been fantastic coming off the bench for the Celtics this season.
He averaged 14 points with four rebounds and four assists on 28 minutes per night, and scored 14 or more in both games in this series with Orlando. With Tatum considered doubtful, Boston will need another strong scoring performance from their star reserve, and I’m betting the 2025 NBA Sixth Man of the Year delivers.
The Celtics' sixth man got good looks Wednesday and landed 45% of his 11 attempts from the field and 50% from downtown.
It was the sixth time in seven games that the Boston guard scored at least 14 points, and with Orlando’s defensive focus on slowing Brown, I expect Pritchard to cook soup tonight.
Pritchard played 33 minutes Wednesday night. He’ll likely play that many minutes with Tatum out, which should allow Pritchard to score big.
Paolo Banchero Over 42.5 points + rebounds + assists (-115 at bet365)
Magic forward Paolo Banchero has gotten whatever he’s wanted during this series against Boston.
The Celtics’ vaunted defense hasn’t been able to contain him, as the Magic star is averaging 34 ppg alongside 10 caroms and 5.5 dimes per night during the first two games of this series.
The third-year forward is shooting 50% from the field and 46% from downtown on nearly 42 road minutes per night against the C’s.
Banchero has been on a roll for most of the second half of the season. He’s eclipsed 30+ points a dozen times since March 1, nine or more rebounds in six of seven, and five or more dimes in four of his previous six.
The Magic star forward has exceeded his scoring prop combo total in half of his previous six contests, and I like Banchero to continue this trend tonight.
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