Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics (Nov. 1, 2026): 3 Things to Watch, Odds and Prediction

• How To Watch: MagicTV 27 (Orlando); WFTV Channel 9 (Orlando); DAZN-Orlando (Orlando); NBC Sports Boston (Boston); NBA League Pass (National)
• STREAM MAGIC-CELTICS ON FUBO TV
• How to Listen: 104.5 The Beat (Orlando); 98.5 The Sports Hub (Boston); SiriusXM Channel 86 (Magic); SiriusXM Channel 901 (Magic); SiriusXM Channel 881 (Celtics); NBA Audio League Pass (National)
• FOLLOW LIVE: @OMAGICDAILY
• Tickets: $41-$448+ on StubHub
• 2027 Season Series: Tonight in Orlando; Nov. 16 in Boston; March 18 in Boston; April 7 in Orlando
• 2026 Season Series: Magic 123, Celtics 110 in Orlando on Nov. 7; Celtics 111, Magic 107 in Orlando on Nov. 9; Celtics 138, Magic 129 in Boston on Nov. 23; Celtics 113, Magic 108 in Boston on April 12

Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics: Stats and 3 Keys to Watch

1. 3-Point Volume

The story whenever teams face the Boston Celtics is all about 3-point volume.

Joe Mazulla took 3-point shooting and spreading the floor to another level in the NBA. The Celtics unapologetically hoisted threes with ever more frequency.

Their games became a math problem. Their shooting twisted defenses and forced them to go against logic, conceding higher-percentage shots in the paint to avoid getting beaten by a barrage of threes.

That strategy made the Celtics ever potent, even when they did not have Jayson Tatum for much of last season.

The Celtics are not quite back to their 3-point shooting ways. They average only 39.6 3-point attempts per game, making 37.4 percent. This is not the same 3-point-happy team as before. The Celtics are still just as efficient as ever.

The Orlando Magic's greatest defense against the Boston Celtics' shooting was that they were good at preventing 3-point attempts. Teams got fewer opportunities against them.

So far this season, the Magic are fifth in the league in 3-point attempts allowed at 34.6 attempts per game. That remains a strength of this defense.

2. The turnover problem

The Orlando Magic are still trying to establish their principles. They are still trying to find their center and find their simple way of doing things.

There have been a lot of hiccups already this season.

The biggest for the team has been the early season turnovers.

The Magic are 22nd in the early season with a 16.9-percent turnover rate. They are giving away possessions. And in the modern NBA, winning the possession battle is the key to success. Teams cannot waste that many bites at the apple.

The Boston Celtics are one of the best teams at forcing turnovers early this season, sitting in fifth at a17.8 percent opponent turnover rate. The Magic are not forcing turnovers yet, sitting in 26th with a 14.0 percent opponent turnover rate.

Orlando is still playing at a deficit in the possession game.

3. Rebounding still matters

Adding to the questions about the Orlando Magic's stability early in the season is their rebounding.

The Magic were one of the best rebounding teams in the league last year. But they have struggled on the offensive glass this season. It has been a major point of contention.

The possession battle is everything. The team that takes the most field goals typically wins. And offensive rebounds are a sure way to give up those extra possessions and shots.

This is another area where the Magic are lagging this season.

Orlando is currently 27th in the league with a 63.9 percent defensive rebound rate. Despite being one of the worst rebounding teams, the Magic do a good job limiting second-chance points at 14.8 points allowed per game. That is slightly above average.

Orlando will not become the defensive team they want to be, however, until they lock down the glass more effectively.

Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics: Injury Report & Projected Lineups

Boston Celtics Injury Report

• Mitchell Robinson - QUESTIONABLE (Rest)
• Devin Carter - OUT (Illness)

Orlando Magic Injury Report

• Paolo Banchero - OUT (Right Low-Grade High Ankle Sprain)
• Jalen Suggs - OUT (Right Knee Contusion/Bone Bruise)
• Noah Penda - OUT (Right Partially Torn Hamstrong)
• Jonathan Isaac - OUT (Left Knee Injury Management)
• Izaiyah Nelson - OUT (Left Ankle Injury Recovery)

Projected Starting Lineups

Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics: Prediction

2027 Record: 1-4/1-4 ATS

The Orlando Magic are still trying to get their footing for this season. They are still trying to find their way to play and what their formula for success is.

Right now, the team does not really ahve that one thing it can depend on.

The team's two wins saw some wild 3-point variance. Their defense improved until it hit Toronto, and then the team posted its two worst games of the season -- yes, the Magic gave up a worse defensive rating in Friday's win than in Wednesday's 30-point loss.

The Magic will eventually find a groove and something the team can depend on. But it is early in the season, and that pattern has not taken hold yet.

It makes sense that a veteran team with an established coach like the Boston Celtics and Joe Mazulla are hitting the ground running. They have a process and know how to operate it, even with the hiccups of adding players to the fold.

That is where these two teams meet on Sunday afternoon.

Maybe the Magic have another strong game and their patterns begin to establish more quickly. Maybe the Raptors were the hiccup on the way to a consistent defensive showing. Maybe they will find their shooting groove again.

It is all completely possible. It is still early enough in the season for some wild variance and hard-to-predict results. The Magic are still looking for their way to establish themselves. And in their tough schedule to open the season, they have not beaten the teams at the top like the Celtics.

They will have to beat these teams eventually. But the Magic are still working mostly on themselves.

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